Monday, January 2, 2017

AFL: Rattlers Blow Out Mustangs, 30-9

MILWAUKEE-The Arizona Rattlers scored 16 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Milwaukee Mustangs 30-9 in Week 12 of the AFL season.

The teams traded punts to start the game, then Arizona went on a 5-play, 51-yard drive. The drive ended with Don Fawcett throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Stomp Navarro to put the Rattlers up 7-0 with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter. The Mustangs responded with a 13-play, 51-yard drive, ending with a 35-yard field goal by Rock Philbrook making it 7-3 with 23 seconds remaining in the first.

Early in the second quarter, Hudson Riggs intercepted a JC George pass at the Milwaukee 20-yard line. Five plays later, Fawcett hit Otto Pugh for a 10-yard touchdown pass to go up 14-3 with 10:32 left in the half. The Mustangs would punt, then Arizona botched a punt and Adrian Alphin's hurried pass fell incomplete. The break went for naught, however, as Philbrook missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. Fawcett fumbled a snap in Milwaukee territory, but again, the Mustangs could not capitalize as George was sacked and fumbled at the Rattlers 10-yard line, and the half came to an end.

At the start of the second half, the Mustangs embarked on a 6-play, 54-yard drive that ended with George tossing a 3-yard touchdown pass to C.C. Cage. The 2-Point Conversion failed, and Milwaukee was down 14-9 with 11:31 remaining in the third quarter. The Rattlers answered with an 11-play, 69-yard drive, and Fawcett threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Will Meads to make it 21-9 with 6:29 remaining in the third. On the ensuing Milwaukee possession, Chester Brice fumbled on a screen pass, and Madison Prunty returned it 11 yards to the Mustangs 10-yard line. After three plays gained two yards, Pancho Barrow kicked a 25-yard field goal to go up 24-9 with 4:13 left in the third quarter.

Both teams traded punts, then early in the fourth, the Mustangs were turned away on fourth down at the Arizona 28-yard line. Following a 10-play, 44-yard drive, Barrow kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 27-9 with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs were turned away on fourth down in Rattlers territory, and Arizona then went 46 yards on 15 plays, running out the clock. Then Barrow kicked another 45-yard field goal with 1 second to go, and Arizona won 30-9.

Arizona (3-9) gained 309 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 112 yards on 35 carries. Melvin Jones led the team with 68 yards on 13 carries and also led the receivers with 6 catches for 70 yards. Fawcett went 18-of-28 passing for 203 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. The Rattlers visit the San Jose Sabercats next week, looking to make up for a 30-10 loss in Week 1.

Milwaukee (7-5) gained 256 yards of total offense. The Mustangs ran for 96 yards on 25 carries. Brice led the Mustangs with 52 yards on 11 carries and also led with 5 catches for 40 yards. George was 16-of-32 passing for 183 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 23 yards. The Mustangs will host the Chicago Rush next week in a rematch of a 34-20 win for the Mustangs in Week 1.

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