HOUSTON-The Michigan Bombers clinched the CIFL's East Division championship on the basis of sweeping the Detroit Neon and Washington Warthogs. But there's one team in the East the Bombers haven't beaten, as the Houston Hotshots held them in check for a 19-14 victory in Week 14.
It started on the second play of the game. when Gitch Tims of the Bombers was picked off by Houston's Nathaniel Hatton at the Hotshots' 26-yard line. After the teams traded punts, Houston would march 42 yards on 4 plays. Jeff Epps finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown run on a reverse. Martin Seal would miss the extra point, and the Hotshots led 6-0 with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter. Michigan would answer with an 8-play, 62-yard drive. A 36-yard option pass from Whitey Barnwell to Dalls Kilburn would set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Bernest Noon to give the Bombers a 7-6 lead with 4:25 left in the first.
The Hotshots would strike back with a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Barney Brant threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Wallace Hinshaw to give Houston a 13-7 lead with 14:12 remaining in the half. Following a Michigan punt, Houston went 59 yards on 5 plays, and Seal would kick a 38-yard field goal to pull ahead 16-7 with 5:13 left in the second quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Barnwell fielded the kick at his own 8-yard line and took off 87 yards to the Hotshots' 5-yard line. One play later, Barnwell finished it off with a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 16-14 with 4:51 left in the first half.
The defenses would dominate the second half, trading punts through most of the third quarter. Late in the period, Barnwell would fumble, and Hatton ran it back 12 yards to the Michigan 25-yard line. After seven plays netted seven yards, Seal would connect on a 35-yard field goal to make the score 19-14 with 14:38 to go in the fourth quarter. The teams would continue to trade punts well into the fourth quarter, as Michigan couldn't work their way into scoring range. Seal would miss a 52-yard field goal attempt with 26 seconds left, but for the Bombers, it was too little, too late.
Houston (7-6) gained 306 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran for 72 yards on 37 carries. Bren Upton had the best run on a 17-yard reverse. Brant was 18-of-27 passing for 234 yards and a TD. Epps caught 4 passes for 64 yards. Hinshaw caught 4 passes for 56 yards and a TD. Lovell Pyle caught 4 passes for 54 yards. The Hotshots finish the regular season next week hosting the Detroit Neon.
Michigan (9-4) gained 218 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 89 yards on 24 carries. Barnwell led the team with 61 yards on 14 carries and a TD. Tims was 13-of-23 passing for 119 yards and a INT. He was sacked three times, losing 26 yards. Norm Rancher was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 57 yards. Next week, the Bombers wrap up the regular season at the Anaheim Splash.
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