The Panthers have completed a trade with Sioux Falls to bring in quarterback Dalton Sneed, who enters his second year in the IFL.

 "It means a lot," said Sneed of being pursued by the Panthers.  "I'm fired up to play.  Coach Arbet and all the coaches on the staff are invested and committed to winning.  That was a big part of my decision.  What they're doing and what they've all done over their coaching careers makes it a great situation for me to come into.  It's nice to be wanted. "

Sneed played 10 games with Sioux Falls last season, completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards and 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions.  The dual-threat QB added 360 yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns as he made the adjustment to the indoor game.
  
 "I think it's the timing that's the biggest difference," said Sneed.  "Everything is so fast and sped up with the compacted windows and the high motion.  Guys get to the line of scrimmage with a full head of steam and that makes things entirely different."

The COVID pandemic kept Sneed off the field for over two years following a decorated college career that ended at the University of Montana of the Big Sky Conference

As a senior in 2019, Sneed led Montana to the FCS quarterfinals.  His pro day was canceled because of the pandemic and eventually Sneed signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

"It was really a weird transition for everybody.  We just met on Zoom for about a year and a half and I was up there for camp.  I ended up getting cut and when I came back here (home in Arizona) I kept training before Coach Davis gave me a call in Vegas."

Sneed started the 2022 opener for the Knight Hawks, playing in two of four games before the trade to Sioux Falls. 

With the release of Tasleem Wilson, Sneed started his first game with the Storm—against the Bay Area Panthers.  He completed nine of 10 passes for 98 yards and two scores.  Sneed's night ended after taking a knee to the lower back at the start of the third quarter and his team leading 28-18.  The Storm would go on to win the game 49-27.
 
Darren Arbet saw the performance firsthand as the radio analyst for the Bay Area broadcast.  Arbet now has Sneed on his team as the Panthers' Head Coach and General Manager.

"We are so happy to have him.  He's a great quarterback, great human being, a winner and a leader," said Arbet.  "I like what he can do and he's going to come into camp and compete.  I think we have a great quarterback room."

There will be some familiarity for Sneed when he gets to California.  He'll be reunited with former Sioux Falls wide receiver Aaron Dilworth who has experience with the CFL and XFL
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"Just knowing his timing and his speed is a plus for me," said Sneed.  "He's got a tremendous catch radius.  Man, that guy can catch a ball if you put it anywhere around him.  More than the chemistry is trust because a quarterback has to trust the receiver and the route.  There were balls to him in Sioux Falls in practice and games that were amazing to watch."

While his football future is dependent  on opened doors, Sneed has taken steps to determine his own future.  He started Sneed Diagnostics in August--the company working with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to increase vehicle safety. However, business will be in the rear of the bus of life as the quarterback is committed to the game.  Sneed's energy and focus is all about football.   

"I'm going to ride this train as far as it goes," said Sneed.  "I love to play football and don't ever want to lose sight of that.  That's the main reason for playing—my heart for it.  I want to go as far as I can go…I don't want to look too much into it like it's the NFL or nothing.  You have to appreciate the process along the way.  I think if I can get an opportunity—that's ultimately the thing I'm looking for.  I'm grateful for the opportunity Coach Arbet gave me to play with this team."  

Bay Area Panthers 2023 Home Schedule

Sunday, March 26, 5:05 PM v. Arizona Rattlers
Sunday, April 16, 5:05 PM v. Tucson Sugar Skulls
Sunday, April 23, 5:05 PM v.  Northern Arizona Wranglers
Monday, May 8, 7:05 PM v. Vegas Knight Hawks
Saturday, May 20, 6:05 PM v. Frisco Fighters
Saturday, June 3, 6:05 PM v. Duke City Gladiators
Monday, July 10, 7:06 PM v. San Diego Strike Force

Single Game and Season tickets for the Bay Area Panthers 2023 season are on sale NOW