By RJ “The Bullish Brahma” Reid
Game Summary
The San Antonio Gunslingers began their Indoor Football League (IFL) journey with a shootout loss to the San Diego Strike Force Monday night 69-61 in San Diego. It was a back-and-forth game with both offenses on full display. The Gunslingers had a chance to win the game when they scored a touchdown with 9 seconds left, but this proved to be too much time left on the clock as they gave up a touchdown with just 1.8 seconds left.
San Antonio started the game with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Keyshawn Harper. The Gunslingers passing attack looked a little off and the run game was stifled, save for the touchdown run. The Strike Force did not waste any time in responding when quarterback Nate Davis thew a 15-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Cox on a blown coverage from San Antonio. The Strike Force missed the extra point attempt, the first of many from both teams.
After turning the Gunslingers over on downs (the only time San Diego would have a defensive stop), it was deja vue when Davis threw another touchdown to Isiah Cox. San Antonio rose to the challenge and responded when Castranova scored on an 8-yard touchdown run. Kicker TC Stevens subsequently missed the extra point attempt.
San Antonio’s defense stopped the Strike Force and turned them over on downs (the only time San Antonio would have a defensive stop). The Gunslingers made the Strike Force pay when Castronova scored his second rushing touchdown.
The game evolved into an offensive outburst as both defenses completely disappear. Both teams abandoned the running game and aired it out the rest of the game. Both teams exchanged touchdowns scores, gain the lead, lose the lead, only to regain the lead again. This continued until Harper caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Castronova with 15 second left in the game. The two-point attempt failed. Did San Antonio leave too much time on the clock? Fans of traditional outdoor football would think this game was in the bag and the Gunslingers secured their first win in the IFL. However, this is indoor football, where 15 seconds is an eternity. After a subpar squib kick that San Diego recovered on San Antonio’s 17-yard line, Davis evaded a good pass rush, and while falling, completed his throw to receiver Ar Jackson III at the two-yard line. Jackson did the rest and with a couple of Gunslingers draped all over him, dragged them into the endzone for the go-ahead score with 2 seconds left. The subsequent kickoff saw San Antonio unsuccessfully attempt lateral passes as they fumbled and Sherr Williams recovered the fumble in the endzone to end the showdown.
Key Takeaways
Quarterback Sam Castronova, a two-time champion in the National Arena League, in his first game with the Gunslingers, showcased why he is a champion. After starting a little rusty and appearing just a tad bit off in his delivery, he heated up and finished the game with 139 passing yards with 4 passing touchdowns and adding 4 rushing touchdowns.
Despite running for 5 touchdowns, San Antonio’s running game was non-existent. The team finished with 68 running yards, 64 of them by Castronova.
Defensively, the Gunslingers’ run defense was solid, holding San Diego to just 19 yards rushing. It was the passing game that left a lot to be desired. San Antonio gave up 235 passing yards and 9 passing touchdowns to San Diego quarterback Nate Davis, including the game-winning touchdown with 1.8 seconds left. There were numerous defensive breakdowns, especially in pass coverage. There were three times which Strike Force receivers were wide open for easy touchdown catches. Both teams only had one defensive stop all game long, both when each team stopped the other one on 4th down attempts.
Special teams were also lacking, as both teams struggled to make extra-point kicks. San Antonio missed two extra point attempts and had a field goal blocked while San Diego missed three extra point attempts.
Penalties plagued both teams throughout the game. San Diego had a couple of pass interference calls that keep San Antonio drives alive. San Antonio had a couple of penalties that would turn excellent field position into starting in their own side of midfield.
Gunslinger of the Game
Sam Castronova. He finished the game completing 14 of his 20 attempts for 139 yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing touchdowns.
Sneak Peek at Next Week
The Gunslingers (0–1) will play their first IFL home game when they host the Northern Arizona Wranglers (1-1), April 6, 2024 at 6:00pm CT.