The San Diego Strike Force is fighting for its first home playoff game in franchise history against the Bay Area Panthers. The hopes of hosting the playoff game are coming down to the final four games of the season. As a journalist, I hate using the words “must win.” However, the next San Diego Strike Force game on July 7th against the Bay Area Panthers has become a must-win game.

Statistically speaking, San Diego has performed better against the Bay Area (3-8) than they have against Arizona (1-9), which they will play twice over the final four games of the season. We will have an article about San Diego’s struggles against Arizona coming up in our game preview on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. For now, let’s focus on San Diego and the Bay Area. 

The Bay Area Panthers became the first team in the Indoor Football League‘s Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot at 10-2.  Through two games this season against the Bay Area Panthers, San Diego Strike Force quarterback Nate Davis has thrown for 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. A completion rate of 53%. San Diego has lost both matchups to the Bay Area this season on the road, 41-18 and 57-34. The two losses total 50% of San Diego’s losses this season and largest losses by 23 points each. The other two losses came at the hands of Las Vegas in the season opener, 41-48, and a one-point loss at San Antonio (48-49). So, one could say that the Bay Area has had San Diego’s number this season. 

The first-ever match-up between Bay Area and San Diego was played on March 21st, 2022, in the Bay Area. The Panthers defeated the Strike Force 38-33 in that game. San Diego would avenge the loss with a 40-point victory at home on June 18th, 2022. Final Score 66 to 26. That 40-point victory remains the largest margin of victory in the history of the series and San Diego’s only victory at home. 

San Diego and the Bay Area have played each other closely throughout the rivalry, with five games being decided by five or fewer points. Two other games were decided by 10 points or less. The two 23-point losses by San Diego this season are the worst losses against the Bay Area dating back to July 10th, 2023, when San Diego lost by 35 (75-40) on the road. On average, during this series Bay Area scores 45 points per game and San Diego Scores 40 points per game.   

Players to watch for San Diego

• QB Nate Davis 173-270 for 1,828 yards, 32TD, 10 INT, and a completion rate of 64%. Nate Davis will also run the ball from time to time, but not with a ton of success. He has 24 carries for 50 yards and 2 TDs. Look for Davis to be most effective in the passing game. He is the all-time passing leader in Strike Force history, 633-1,054 for 7,094 yards, 154TD, 39 INTS, and a completion rate of 60%.
• The Swiss Army Knife of the Strike Force is Rudy Johnson. Rudy has seen time at QB, RB, and WR this season. Johnson, as backup quarterback, is 10-21 for 72 yards, 2 TD, 2INT, and a completion rate of 48%. Johnson will make his impact from the RB or WR position. Johnson leads the Strike Force in carries (91), yards (279), and TDs (13). Johnson is second in receptions (31) and yards (302). Johnson has combined for 653 all-purpose yards and 18 TDs.
• WR Jalen Sample. Since being signed on May 29th, Sample has played in four games and has quickly climbed the stats ladder. Sample is fifth in receptions (20), third in yards (236), and third in TD (4). Sample is also tied for the longest catch of the season, 33 yards.
• WR Dallas Daniels leads the Strike Force in receptions (36), yards (361), and TDs (11).

Players to watch for Bay Area

• QB Josh Jones 129-232 for 1,466 yards, 29 TD, 8INT, and a completion rate of 56%. Jones is a dual threat in the backfield as he also leads the Bay Area in rushing with 140 carries for 561 yards and 14 TDs. 
• The Bay Area also has a Swiss Army knife, so to speak, in Joshua Tomas. Tomas leads the Panthers in receptions (37) and yards (462). He is second behind Jones in rushing with 101 carries for 476 yards and leads the Panthers in rushing touchdowns with 20. Last but not least, Tomas is also a threat in the return game. He leads the Panthers with 27 returns for 367 yards and 1TD. Tomas has amassed over 1,300 all-purpose yards this season and has 27 touchdowns.
• WR Tyrese Chambers is second in receptions (28) and leads the Panthers in receiving TDs (12).

Our San Diego Sports Domination keys to the game for San Diego!

• Strong defensive showing in the passing game. In San Diego’s three wins over the Bay Area, they have limited the Bay Area quarterbacks to a 58% completion rate or less. Force the Bay Area quarterbacks into quick throws. Apply pressure and force pass break breakups.
• Limit and win the turnover battle. In San Diego’s three wins over the Bay Area, they won the turnover battle twice.

Our San Diego Sports Domination keys to the game for the Bay Area!

• Consistent quarterback play. In the Bay Area’s eight wins over San Diego, the quarterback has completed 60% or more of his passes. The Bay Area has not defeated San Diego when the quarterback has had a sub 59% completion rate.
• Continue to ground and pound. Over the 11 games Bay Area has combined for over 1,150+ yards and 33 touchdowns. That is an average of 100 + yards per game.
• Limit and win the turnover battle. In the Bay Area’s eight wins over San Diego, they won the turnover battle four times.

San Diego Sports Domination keys to the game for both teams!

• Special teams. Special teams. Special teams. FOUR (4) games in this 11-game series (36%) have been decided by special teams. Neither team can afford to leave points off the board. 17 points across FOUR (4) games in this series have been left off the board.

I wanted to do a bit of research on the kicking games of both the Bay Area Panthers and the San Diego Strike Force. All-time in the series, Bay Area Panthers kickers have made 79% of PATs and 30% of field goals. All-time in the series San Diego Strike Force have made 72% of PATS and 38% of field goals. Current San Diego Strike Force kicker Ernesto Lacayo has made 100% of his PATS and has a 67% field goal rate against Bay Area. He has two career games played against Bay Area. *Bay Area was not yet founded when Ernesto was on the Strike Force during the 2019 season.

I wanted to have a short discussion about the 3-8 record San Diego has against the Bay Area. First off, I am the director of photography for the San Diego Strike Force. So take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. The teams have met 11 times since the Bay Area came into the IFL back in 2022. 10 of the matches have come during the regular season, and one of the matches in the postseason. Let’s remove the postseason game from the equation, and the Strike Force is 2-8. San Diego has had to play the Bay Area on the road six times. San Diego has only gotten to host four home games. This years series has three games, two in Bay Area and one in San Diego. In 2024, both teams played each other four times during the regular season. The series went to the Bay Area Panthers 3-1. San Diego lost the three games by a combined 13 points and defeated the Bay Area Panthers by one point.

These games on paper have been a lot closer than you would assume for a team who is 3-8. San Diego is 1-5 on the road and 1-3 at home. San Diego is looking to improve there home record against the Bay Area Panthers and grab series win number four.

Are you in San Diego, Oceanside, or coming into town for the game? The Strike Force currently has a ticket deal for the game. This Fourth of July, commemorate the year we declared our freedom with an incredible offer of just $17.76! Join us as we honor the spirit of independence and make your celebration even more special with this patriotic deal. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets with the discount!