Tuesday, April 4, 2017

CIFL: Portland Tops Houston, 23-3

HOUSTON-The Portland Pride kept the Houston Hotshots out of the end zone in securing a 23-3 victory in Week 10 of the CIFL season.

The first quarter was slow moving as both teams traded punts twice. Houston then went on an 8-play, 48-yard drive. Martin Seal then put the Hotshots on the board with a 27-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter. The lead lasted only 17 seconds, as Kenny Boren took the ensuing kickoff and ran it back 90 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-3 with 1:30 remaining in the first.

The teams would continue to trade punts into the second quarter, then Houston drove into scoring position only for Seal to miss a 43-yard field goal. Portland then drove 36 yards on 5 plays, and Theodis Durkin kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 10-3 with 2:51 remaining in the second quarter. The Hotshots drove down the field and Seal lined up to attempt a 21-yard field goal at the end of the half, but Lawrence Aston blocked the kick and the teams went into the locker room.

Portland went three-and-out to open the second half, but Jeff Epps would fumble on the return and Clifton Caywood recovered for the Pride at the Houston 42-yard line. Eight plays later, Kendall Van Horne scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 17-3 with 9:19 remaining in the third quarter. The Hotshots would punt, and get the ball back when Donnell Arnell recovered a Boren fumble at the Houston 30-yard line. However, the Hotshots couldn't capitalize as Seal missed a 51-yard field goal attempt.

Portland would then drive 24 yards on 11 plays, and Durkin finished the drive with a 52-yard field goal to go up 20-3 with 13:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, Houston went for it on fourth-and-two from their own 34, and Jerris Vaughn was not even close to converting getting stuffed for a 5-yard loss. The Pride then went on a 5-play, 19-yard drive ending with Durkin kicking a 27-yard field goal to make it 23-3 with 8:38 to go in the fourth. Portland would again turn the Hotshots away on fourth down, and the Pride would run out the clock.

Portland (5-4) gained 222 yards of total offense. The Pride ran for 133 yards on 41 carries. Boren led the team with 90 yards on 22 carries. Reuben Findley went 7-of-16 passing for 95 yards and was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. Robert Robinson led the receivers with 3 catches for 47 yards. The Pride will host the Michigan Bombers next week.

Houston (5-4) gained 293 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran for 97 yards on 26 carries. Barney Brant led the team with 34 yards on 6 carries. He went 20-of-35 passing for 233 yards and was sacked six times, losing 37 yards. Vaughn was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 91 yards. The Hotshots will host the Sacramento Knights next week.

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