Gunslingers Set to Start 2025 IFL Season with a Bang

By RJ Reid

Tulsa Oilers vs. San Antonio Gunslingers – Week #1 Preview

Game Date: March 22, 2025
Kickoff Time: 06:05pm CST
Location: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX

Overview

The San Antonio Gunslingers are gearing up for a thrilling matchup against the Tulsa Oilers in Week #1 of the Indoor Football League (IFL) season. With both teams hungry for a win, this game promises to showcase exciting offenses, star players on both sides, and a budding rivalry. As the season begins, the stakes couldn’t be higher, even for a week 1 game and this game is crucial for both teams as they push toward their first playoff berth in both franchises histories.

Series History

The San Antonio Gunslingers lead the series 1-0.

Gunslingers Outlook

After a successful 2024 season that saw the Gunslingers go 8-8 in their first season in the IFL, the Gunslingers aim to build momentum. Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Sam Castronova threw for 3,346 yards and 75 touchdowns and rushed for 439 yards with 23 touchdowns, while wide receiver NyQwan Murray caught 73 passes for 952 yards and 27 touchdowns. Head Coach Tom Menas has turned his focus on improving the defense, which was the worst defense in the IFL last year. The big question is who will replace Castronova, who has moved on to the Arena Football League. Replacing the IFL’s Offensive Player of the Year from last year will be no small feat, and whoever Menas chooses will have some huge shoes to fill.

Oilers Overview

The Oilers are coming off a 6-10 season, drastically improving from their first year in the IFL when they finished 2-13 in 2023. The Oilers bolstered their roster by signing numerous players from the Frisco Fighters who have gone dormant for the 2025 season. Led by former IFL Most Valuable Player, quarterback TJ Edwards, the Oilers have their sights set on the playoffs and look to be a team to be reckoned with.

Key Matchups

Coach Menas announced on his weekly coaches show “Branded”, that Malik Henry has been named as the starting quarterback. Henry, was recently signed to the Gunslingers, is no stranger to San Antonio. He was the starting quarterback of the Carolina Cobras who eliminated the Gunslingers from the playoffs in their last season as a member of the National Arena League. Now, Henry brings his skills to use for the Gunslingers instead of against them, and he will go up against that Tulsa defense in his first action in a Gunslingers uniform. Henry is set to face the Tulsa Oilers’ defense, which showed significant vulnerabilities in 2024. According to the IFL’s official statistics, the Oilers allowed an average of 42.6 points per game, with 3822 total yards (238.9 yards per game), including 2483 passing yards (155.2 per game) and 1339 rushing yards (83.7 per game). This suggests a defense that struggled to contain both passing and rushing attacks, allowing 41 passing touchdowns and 54 rushing touchdowns.
NyQwan Murray, the Gunslingers’ leading receiver in 2024, had 73 receptions for 952 yards and 27 touchdowns, making him a primary target for Castronova. This matchup pits him against the Tulsa Oilers’ cornerbacks. Murray’s performance could be decisive, given his high volume of targets and scoring ability. The Oilers’ passing defense allowed 2483 yards in 2024, suggesting that their corners may struggle against a receiver of Murray’s caliber. This matchup will test their ability to disrupt routes and limit yards after the catch, potentially forcing San Antonio’s quarterback to look elsewhere if Murray is contained.
TJ Edwards, signed by the Tulsa Oilers for the 2025 season, is a former IFL MVP with a proven track record. His stats with the Frisco Fighters over the last three seasons include 5,750 passing yards, 103 passing touchdowns, 2,383 rushing yards, and 112 rushing scores, showcasing his dual-threat capability. He will face the San Antonio Gunslingers’ defense, which had a challenging 2024 season, allowing an average of 52.94 points per game and 3763 total yards (235.2 per game), with 2304 passing yards (144.0 per game) and 1551 rushing yards (96.9 per game). The Gunslingers’ defense will look vastly different from last year and Coach Menas will be taking over defensive play calling duties. Their game-by-game stats show variability, with totals ranging from 19 to 45 tackles per game, but their inability to consistently pressure quarterbacks (only 12 sacks in 16 games) could allow Edwards to operate effectively. This matchup will be critical, as Edwards’ ability to pass and run could exploit the Gunslingers’ defensive struggles, particularly in the secondary.

Keys to Victory for the Gunslingers

Control the run game: Controlling the run game is pivotal for the Gunslingers, encompassing both offensive and defensive strategies. Offensively, the Gunslingers can leverage Keyshawn Harper’s rushing ability. With a year under his belt, his running capability allows them to control the clock, keeping the ball away from the Tulsa Oilers and reducing their scoring opportunities. By establishing a strong running game, the Gunslingers can set up their passing plays, making the defense respect both aspects and potentially creating opportunities for NyQwan Murray, DJ Meyers, Austin Upshaw, Kali Rashaad and the other receivers. Defensively, the Gunslingers need to stop the Tulsa Oilers’ running game to force them into passing situations. This could prove to be a difficult challenge as TJ Edwards is a premier dual-threat quarterback who sliced through San Antonio’s defense last year when he was with the Frisco Fighters. By limiting the Oilers’ rushing yards, the Gunslingers can disrupt their rhythm and force Edwards to pass more, where the Gunslingers’ pass defense can potentially create turnovers or limit big plays. This dual approach – offensive control and defensive containment – is essential for managing the game’s pace and securing a victory.
Limit Turnovers: Limiting turnovers is critical in indoor football, where field position and scoring opportunities can swing rapidly. For the Gunslingers, protecting the ball on offense is paramount, especially given The Gunslingers’ proclivity for slinging the ball around the field. Minimizing interceptions and fumbles is vital to avoid giving the Tulsa Oilers easy scoring chances, particularly in a close game. The Gunslingers’ offense, with Murray’s 27 touchdowns, relies on sustained drives, and turnovers can disrupt this flow, handing momentum to the opponent. On defense, the Gunslingers need to force turnovers from the Oilers, targeting TJ Edwards’ passes for interceptions and pressuring running backs to fumble. Last year, the Gunslingers did intercept Edwards multiple times, and with an improved defense, the Gunslingers can capitalize on mistakes. By minimizing their own turnovers and creating opportunities for their offense through defensive plays, the Gunslingers can maintain possession and control the game’s outcome, leveraging their offensive firepower to outscore the Oilers.
Pressuring the quarterback is a cornerstone of the Gunslingers’ defensive strategy, focusing on disrupting Ewards’ performance. In indoor football, the smaller field size means quicker pressure can significantly impact the quarterback’s decision-making. By getting to Edwards quickly, whether through the defensive line or blitzes, the Gunslingers can force sacks, which are negative plays for the Oilers, or rushed throws, increasing the likelihood of interceptions or incomplete passes. This pressure can disrupt the timing of the Oilers’ passing game, limiting their ability to connect with his receivers. The Gunslingers’ defense must ensure Edwards doesn’t have time to exploit their secondary. Pressuring the quarterback can also lead to fumbles, providing additional scoring opportunities for the Gunslingers. This strategy is particularly effective against the Oilers, whose passing game may rely on Edwards’ ability to make plays under pressure, and by disrupting this, the Gunslingers can tilt the game in their favor, creating turnovers and limiting the Oilers’ offensive production.

X-Factor

The X-factor for this game is ball control. Controlling the game’s pace with a balanced offense, minimizing turnovers to maintain possession, and pressuring the quarterback to disrupt TJ Edwards and the Oilers’ offense. The other X-factor is whoever can make the most deuces. Field goals, extra point accuracy and deuces could be decisive in a close game.

Game Predictions

Last year, I finished the season with a 26 and 48 record on my predictions, a 35% accuracy rate. Hopefully this year will be better. Without further ado, here are my predictions for Week 1:

The Gunslingers will score on their opening possession.
The Gunslingers will turn the Oilers over on downs at least one time.
The Gunslingers will rush for at least 70 yards.
The Gunslingers will record at least 1 sack.

With both teams looking to achieve the playoffs for the first time, this matchup will likely come down to whoever has the ball at the end of the game. The Gunslingers have the edge in offensive explosiveness, but the Oilers will prove to be a defensive challenge to overcome. In a hard-fought battle, I predict a Gunslingers victory 45-38.

Tickets & Game Information

Tickets for the game are available at the Freeman Coliseum or online at www.sanantoniogunslingers.com. Be sure to arrive early for pre-game activities and tailgating, and don’t miss out on the games theme of Fan Appreciation Day. This will prove to be a fun-filled time that will be memorable for the entire family.