DES MOINES, IA-The Iowa Barnstormers held off a second-half rally to defeat the Albany Firebirds 20-10 in a Week 6 AFL game.
Albany started the game going three-and-out, and the Barnstormers moved the ball 41 yards on 6 plays. Ev Blansett finished the drive with a 21-yard pass to Flip Cravens to put Iowa up 7-0 with 10:22 left in the first. Sinbad Gargaro threw an interception to Seth Waltrip on Albany's next possession, but the Barnstormers were forced to punt. The exchange of punts continued until late in the quarter, when Garry Farr fumbled a catch and Early Tune recovered for the Barnstormers at the Albany 45. Nine plays later, Powell Ramos swept through the left side for an 8-yard touchdown run with 14:08 remaining in the second to put Iowa up 14-0.
Not much of note happened in the second quarter. Both teams traded punts until Waltrip intercepted Gargaro for the second time with 29 seconds remaining in the half. Iowa took two plays to go 24 yards, and SB Rhoads kicked a 37-yard field goal with 6 seconds remaining to put the Barnstormers up 17-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Iowa played a ball-control game and moved the ball 49 yards on 13 plays. Rhoads kicked his second field goal, a 33-yarder, to make it 20-0 with 8:24 to go in the third. Both teams traded punts, and the Firebirds then moved the ball 46 yards on 11 plays. Dom Wenning ended the drive with a 30-yard field goal to edge closer, 20-3 with 2:23 to go in the third.
Iowa punted on their next possession, and the Firebirds would drive 71 yards on 10 plays. Pinky Gardner would score on a reverse from 14 yards out to get within 20-10 with 12:55 left in the game. Caleb Whitlock returned the ensuing kickoff to the Firebirds' 44-yard line, but Rhoads missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Albany would punt, and Iowa's Jean Butler would answer with a 77-yard punt downed at the Firebirds' 2-yard line with 7:46 remaining. Albany would go 59 yards on 14 plays, and Wenning was sent out to attempt a 56-yarder with 2:27 left to try to get within a touchdown. But he missed it, and the Barnstormers would run out the clock.
Iowa (4-2) gained 253 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers ran for 121 yards on 39 carries. Ramos led the team with 62 yards on 17 carries and a TD. Blansett was 14-for-29 passing for 132 yards, 1 TD and was not sacked. Burke Fraser led the Barnstormers with 5 catches for 30 yards. The Barnstormers visit the Detroit Drive next week.
Albany (3-3) gained 300 yards of total offense. The Firebirds were held to 52 rushing yards on 21 carries. Scooter Colby led the team with 18 yards on 7 carries. Gargaro went 20-for-44 passing for 253 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked once, losing 5 yards. Teddy Harley led the Firebirds with 6 catches for 58 yards. Next week, the Firebirds host the Dallas Desperados.
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