Sunday, November 6, 2016

AFL: Force Prevail in OT, 21-18

ORLANDO-Three weeks ago, the Orlando Predators were humiliated by the Georgia Force, being held to 50 yards of total offense in a 39-7 blowout loss. This week, they were much more competitive, but still fell in overtime to the Force in Week 8 of the AFL season, 21-18.

The game started slowly, as the teams traded punts. Then midway through the quarter, Orlando embarked on a 9-play, 73-yard drive that ended with Abel White kicking a 24-yard field goal with 4:51 to go in the first to take a 3-0 lead. The Force moved down the field, but Wilbur Ahmad would miss a 46-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter.

The Predators got the ball back, and a 6-play, 64-yard drive was punctuated with a 54-yard touchdown pass from DJ Haji to Farren Smithson, and Orlando shot to a 10-0 lead with 12:22 to go in the half. Lin Byers would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and White recovered for the Predators at the Georgia 18-yard line. But the Predators would cough it up, as D.J. Giles fumbled at the 4, and Pete Love fell on it for the Force. Georgia would drive again, and Ahmad lined up for a 53-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Cleveland Whitaker who picked it up and ran it 24 yards to the Georgia 25-yard line. But on the next play, Haji was picked off by Raymond Clements who returned it 17 yards to the Force 36. Both teams would punt, and the Force would drive 38 yards on 7 plays. Ahmad would finally make a field goal, as his 35-yarder with 8 seconds left in the half put Georgia on the board, trailing 10-3 at halftime.

The Predators started the second half with a punt, and the Force answered with a 9-play, 74-yard drive. Norm Damron finished it off with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Gevan Crafton to tie the game at 10 with 8:11 left in the third quarter. Orlando was quick to respond with a 5-play, 65-yard drive, Haji ended the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Steven Thompson. The extra point was no good, and the Predators led 16-10 with 5:54 to go in the third. Both teams traded punts, and Yannel Fletcher pinned the Force back at their own 4-yard line. Damron would then get sacked in the end zone by Orlan Capalletti for a safety to make it 18-10 Orlando with 2:51 to go in the third quarter.

Orlando would fumble on their next possession, and it was recovered by Love at the Orlando 46. But the teams would trade punts, and Georgia's Walter Halley would fumble deep in Orlando territory, and Ed Tennison recovered for the Predators at their own 13. The Predators would punt again, and the Force would move the ball 66 yards on 10 plays. Damron would finish the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Paden Bonewell. The Force's 2-Point Conversion was good, and the game was tied at 18 with 45 seconds remaining in regulation. Orlando couldn't drive for a score, and the game was sent into overtime.

Georgia punted to start the overtime period. Haji fumbled the snap, and Phillip Schmidt recovered for the Force at the Orlando 25-yard line. After a 6-play, 18-yard drive, Ahmad would kick a 24-yard field goal with 10:05 remaining in overtime, and Georgia won the game.

Georgia (4-4) gained 419 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 98 yards on 29 carries. Halley led the team with 39 yards on 11 carries. Damron went 33-of-53 passing for 326 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 5 yards. Bonewell equaled Foster Warhurst's single-game reception record with 13 catches for 123 yards and a TD. The Force will visit the Colorado Crush next week.

Orlando (2-6) gained 336 yards of total offense. The Predators ran for 61 yards on 19 carries. Giles led the team with 38 yards on 12 carries. Haji went 22-of-35 passing for 284 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Thompson led the receivers with 5 receptions for 36 yards and a TD. The Predators will visit the Arizona Rattlers next week.

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