The San Diego Strike Force pulled off the biggest upset in the Indoor Football League’s first playoff weekend, and are now one win away from an appearance in the IFL National Championship Game.
Fourth-seeded San Diego upset the top-seeded Bay Area Panthers 49-40 on Sunday, earning a spot in the IFL Western Conference Final. They’ll take on the third-seeded Arizona Rattlers on Aug. 5 in Glendale, Ariz., with the winner advancing to the championship game, held Aug. 17 in Henderson, Nev.
San Diego’s first-ever playoff victory was the result of an unstoppable offense.
Quarterback Nate Davis completed 15 of 32 passes for 216 yards and six touchdowns without turning the ball over. With Davis in charge, the Strike Force scored on all four of their second-half drives. Arthur Jackson III caught two second-half touchdown passes to give the club the lead, part of a four-touchdown performance.
The Strike Force’s defense, meanwhile, intercepted a pair of Daquan Neal passes, changing the tenor of the game.
Krshaun Walker’s pick came as the Panthers threw into the end zone on third-and-goal.
Elijah Belle’s fourth-quarter interception secured the San Diego victory.
Founded in 2019, the Strike Force play their home games inside Pechanga Arena. This season has been by far the best in franchise history: San Diego has won as many games this season — 11 — as it did in all other seasons combined.
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