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Last fall, when it was uncertain whether quarterback Dalton Sneed would return to the Rattlers following its Indoor Football League championship season, the Rattlers brought back Drew Powell to lead the offense.
But during a recent ring ceremony held by the Rattlers, Sneed's competitive juices began to flow again. And now he's back and ready to start for the Rattlers. The season opener is Sunday, March 30, at 3:10 p.m., against the Tucson Sugar Skulls at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
"When you get back in that environment, you start itching," said Sneed, a former Scottsdale Horizon High School and University of Montana standout quarterback, who has remained in shape during the offseason by running and throwing.
Sneed has a chance to win three IFL titles in a row. He won his first two seasons ago with the Bay Area Panthers. He signed with the Rattlers the following season to be back home and help lead the Rattlers to their second IFL title and first since 2017, when the organization broke off from the Arena Football League and joined the IFL.
Before Sneed takes the field Sunday, the Rattlers will honor one of the franchises' all-time greatest quarterbacks, Nick Davila, who will go into the team's Ring of Honor. Davila led the Rattlers to ArenaBowl titles in 2012, '13 and '14.
Even though Sneed has been in camp for a short time this spring, coach Kevin Guy said he will start against the Sugar Skulls.
"We're into collecting great football players," Guy said. "The goal is to win the championship. We're out here competing. We're taking it one day at a time."
Guy said that the recent ring ceremony, being around the players, played a part in Sneed returning for another season.
"We've got a good group this year, we've got a young group," Guy said. "There's going to be a lot of life lessons and learning and teaching in the first few weeks of the season.
"Last year's over. The championship is over. We're focused on this year and what this team can do."
Ahead of Sunday's opener, the Rattlers will have to figure out what to do with their nine veterans, players with four or more years of professional football playing experience. They can only keep seven vets.
Vets expected to play roles other than Sneed are receiver Jamal Miles, running back Shannon Brooks, defensive back Davontae Merriweather and receiver Isaiah Huston.
Most of the roster is comprised of players with one or two years league experience.
The Rattlers have big shoes to fill on the offensive line with Lamar Mady retired. They also have key secondary spots to fill with Dillion Winfrey and Jarmaine Doubs no longer playing. Winfrey was the 2021 IFL Defensive Player of the Year, after intercepting 14 passes and breaking up 33 others. He is now helping coach the Rattlers' DBs.
Sneed is the key. He can make any new receiver look good with his precision passes and confidence to find narrow passing windows. It's just a matter of finding a rhythm early. Usually, the Rattlers start slow and peak late in seasons.
"One concerning thing we have is that we have nine vets and we can only keep seven, so two will have to go," Guy said. "We'll have to figure it out. What is the best way to line up? And who is going to give us the best chance to win?"
Sneed is the answer at quarterback with his championship success, even though Powell, a great runner, has been a three-time IFL MVP with the Rattlers.
"Relationships on and off the field, partnerships, it was just the right decision for me to come back," Sneed said. "I still love to compete, still love to play. That's the biggest thing for me to come back.
"I want to come back and defend the championship."
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at[email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rattlers ring ceremony inspires QB Dalton Sneed to return
Continue reading...
But during a recent ring ceremony held by the Rattlers, Sneed's competitive juices began to flow again. And now he's back and ready to start for the Rattlers. The season opener is Sunday, March 30, at 3:10 p.m., against the Tucson Sugar Skulls at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
"When you get back in that environment, you start itching," said Sneed, a former Scottsdale Horizon High School and University of Montana standout quarterback, who has remained in shape during the offseason by running and throwing.
Sneed has a chance to win three IFL titles in a row. He won his first two seasons ago with the Bay Area Panthers. He signed with the Rattlers the following season to be back home and help lead the Rattlers to their second IFL title and first since 2017, when the organization broke off from the Arena Football League and joined the IFL.
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Before Sneed takes the field Sunday, the Rattlers will honor one of the franchises' all-time greatest quarterbacks, Nick Davila, who will go into the team's Ring of Honor. Davila led the Rattlers to ArenaBowl titles in 2012, '13 and '14.
Even though Sneed has been in camp for a short time this spring, coach Kevin Guy said he will start against the Sugar Skulls.
"We're into collecting great football players," Guy said. "The goal is to win the championship. We're out here competing. We're taking it one day at a time."
Guy said that the recent ring ceremony, being around the players, played a part in Sneed returning for another season.
"We've got a good group this year, we've got a young group," Guy said. "There's going to be a lot of life lessons and learning and teaching in the first few weeks of the season.
"Last year's over. The championship is over. We're focused on this year and what this team can do."
Ahead of Sunday's opener, the Rattlers will have to figure out what to do with their nine veterans, players with four or more years of professional football playing experience. They can only keep seven vets.
Vets expected to play roles other than Sneed are receiver Jamal Miles, running back Shannon Brooks, defensive back Davontae Merriweather and receiver Isaiah Huston.
Most of the roster is comprised of players with one or two years league experience.
You must be registered for see images attach
The Rattlers have big shoes to fill on the offensive line with Lamar Mady retired. They also have key secondary spots to fill with Dillion Winfrey and Jarmaine Doubs no longer playing. Winfrey was the 2021 IFL Defensive Player of the Year, after intercepting 14 passes and breaking up 33 others. He is now helping coach the Rattlers' DBs.
Sneed is the key. He can make any new receiver look good with his precision passes and confidence to find narrow passing windows. It's just a matter of finding a rhythm early. Usually, the Rattlers start slow and peak late in seasons.
"One concerning thing we have is that we have nine vets and we can only keep seven, so two will have to go," Guy said. "We'll have to figure it out. What is the best way to line up? And who is going to give us the best chance to win?"
Sneed is the answer at quarterback with his championship success, even though Powell, a great runner, has been a three-time IFL MVP with the Rattlers.
"Relationships on and off the field, partnerships, it was just the right decision for me to come back," Sneed said. "I still love to compete, still love to play. That's the biggest thing for me to come back.
"I want to come back and defend the championship."
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at[email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rattlers ring ceremony inspires QB Dalton Sneed to return
Continue reading...
