Sunday, April 2, 2017

CIFL: Houston Tops Sacramento, 21-11

SACRAMENTO-The Houston Hotshots were able to keep pace with the Michigan Bombers by defeating the Sacramento Knights 21-11 in a Week 9 CIFL game.

Houston started by driving into scoring position, but Martin Seal missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. The teams traded punts, then Sacramento drove for a potential score, only for Shane Sandlin to miss a 37-yard field goal attempt. On the Hotshots' next play, Barney Brant was intercepted by Miller Lockner who returned it 33 yards to the Houston 17-yard line. After gaining eight yards on four plays, Sandlin kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the Knights a 3-0 lead with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Following the score, the Hotshots would drive 67 yards on 12 plays. Richie Buckner scored on a 7-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead with 12:07 to go in the second quarter. On Sacramento's next possession, the Knights lined up for a 48-yard field goal attempt, but a bad snap forced Dennis Sentry to throw a pass. Corey Spicer gained 17 yards on the pass, but the Knights were five yards short of a first down. Houston would punt, and Sacramento drove for another field goal attempt, but Sandlin would miss from 46 yards out. After another Hotshots punt, Derrick Todd was picked off by Stewart Lavue at the Houston 33-yard line. After another 12-play, 67-yard drive, Brant completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Lovell Pyle with 19 seconds to go to take a 14-3 lead at the half.

Both teams would punt to open the second half, then Todd would get intercepted by Nathaniel Hatton who took it 11 yards to the Knights' 8-yard line. Three plays later, Brant completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jerris Vaughn to make it 21-3 with 6:40 left in the third quarter. The Knights tried to drive for a score, but Shamrock Spotts intercepted a Todd pass and returned it 25 yards to the Hotshots 31-yard line.

Houston would punt, then Sacramento would drive 52 yards on 8 plays. Todd completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Forrest Gottfired, and a successful two-point conversion made it 21-11 with 13:18 to go in the fourth quarter. The teams would trade punts, then Seal would miss a 53-yard field goal attempt midway through the fourth. After another punt exchange, the Knights tried to drive for a score, but Todd fumbled the snap and Lavue recovered for the Hotshots at their own 13 with 1:19 left.

Houston (5-3) gained 266 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran for 117 yards on 30 carries. Brant led the team with 53 yards on 6 carries. He went 20-of-32 passing for 183 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked six times, losing 34 yards. Pyle was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 59 yards and a TD. The Hotshots host the Portland Pride next week.

Sacramento (2-6) gained 335 yards of total offense. The Knights ran for 54 yards on 18 carries. Brett Gold led the team with 15 yards on 5 carries. Todd went 24-of-43 passing for 291 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 27 yards. Chet Quince led the receivers with 5 catches for 49 yards. The Knights visit the Anaheim Splash next week.

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