LOS ANGELES-In a see-saw battle that could have gone either way, C.C. Cage caught the winning touchdown with just over a minute left to propel the Milwaukee Mustangs over the Los Angeles Avengers 28-21 in the final Week 2 AFL game.
The first quarter started with the teams trading punts. Neither gained an advantage until midway through the first, as the Avengers drove 80 yards on 9 plays. Juan York finished the drive off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Clovis Awtrey to put Los Angeles up 7-0 with 2:57 left in the first quarter. The Mustangs came back strong on the ensuing drive, moving the ball 81 yards on 10 plays, the highlight being a 35-yard gain on a halfback option pass from Nigel McClain to Chester Brice. Brice put the finishing touches on the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and the score was tied at 7 with 13:03 remaining in the half.
As the second quarter moved on, Avengers K Carmon Grimes would miss a 54-yard field goal attempt, and Rock Philbrook missed a 35-yarder for the Mustangs. Then after both teams punted, the Avengers moved the ball 72 yards on 8 plays and appeared primed to take the lead from the Mustangs' 2-yard line. But York's pass was intercepted by Conn Kriner who raced 52 yards to the Mustangs' 45 with 17 seconds left in the half. Milwaukee couldn't move closer, and the half ended.
The teams again traded punts to open the third quarter. Then the Avengers were on the move again, going 59 yards on 8 plays. York would keep it himself and run 7 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 LA lead with 6:03 left in the third. But the Mustangs struck back quickly as JC George capped off a 4-play, 66-yard drive with a 30-yard strike to Cage with 3:57 remaining to tie the game at 14. Kriner made his second pick of the game, and gave Milwaukee the ball at the Los Angeles 32. Four plays later, George tossed a 2-yard pass to Brice to give the Mustangs a 21-14 lead with 1:44 left in the third.
Los Angeles took the ball on the ensuing drive and went 73 yards on 12 plays. Chip Kindrick would run it in from 3 yards out to tie the game at 21 with 10:31 to go in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee threatened to score a touchdown, but Courtney Harrison put an end to it for the Avengers with an interception. But Kindrick would fumble on the ensuing drive, and Yousef Checkers recovered for the Mustangs and returned it 21 yards to the Avengers' 27. After 5 plays brought the ball to the 3, George threw a 3-yard touchdown to Cage, his second of the game and fifth in two games, to give Milwaukee a 28-21 lead with 1:03 remaining. Los Angeles would lose the ball on downs, and the Mustangs won the game.
Milwaukee (2-0) gained 316 yards of total offense. The Mustangs gained 90 yards on the ground, Brice leading the way with 36 yards on 10 carries and a TD. He also caught 3 passes for 49 yards and a TD. George was 19-for-28 passing for 203 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once, losing 12 yards. Cage caught 4 passes for 55 yards and 2 TD. Next week, the Mustangs open their home slate against the San Jose Sabercats.
Los Angeles (1-1) gained 383 yards of total offense. The Avengers gained 136 yards rushing, Igor Keough led the team with 56 yards on 9 carries. Kindrick gained 53 yards on 13 carries and a TD. York carried the ball 4 times for 20 yards and a TD. York went 21-for-34 passing for 274 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 27 yards. Brick Pettit led Avenger receivers with 5 catches for 74 yards. Awtrey caught 4 passes for 61 yards and a TD. Next week, the Avengers travel to Des Moines to face the Iowa Barnstormers.
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