AFL Week 10 Standings

EASTERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Detroit Drive	7	3	0	269	228
Grand Rapids Rampage	6	4	0	247	217
Albany Firebirds	5	5	0	194	250
New York Dragons	5	5	0	242	232
SOUTHERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Georgia Force	6	4	0	290	224
Tampa Bay Storm	5	4	1	223	201
Nashville Kats	5	4	1	218	234
Orlando Predators	3	7	0	200	231
CENTRAL DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Dallas Desperados	7	3	0	269	214
Milwaukee Mustangs	6	4	0	235	228
Iowa Barnstormers	4	6	0	272	233
Chicago Rush	3	7	0	261	285
WESTERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Jose Sabercats	7	3	0	236	189
Colorado Crush	5	5	0	202	217
Los Angeles Avengers	3	7	0	236	259
Arizona Rattlers	2	8	0	156	308

WEEK 10 SCORES (Home teams in Bold)

New York 34, Detroit 26

Grand Rapids 46, Albany 20

Nashville 13, Orlando 9

Georgia 21, Tampa Bay 18

Dallas 40, Milwaukee 10

Chicago 34, Iowa 20

Arizona 29, Colorado 23

San Jose 28, Los Angeles 16

WEEK 11 GAMES

Detroit (7-3) at Nashville (5-4-1)

Grand Rapids (6-4) at Tampa Bay (5-4-1)

Albany (5-5) at Georgia (6-4)

New York (5-5) at Orlando (3-7)

Dallas (7-3) at Arizona (2-8)

Chicago (3-7) at Los Angeles (3-7)

Iowa (4-6) at San Jose (7-3)

Milwaukee (6-4) at Colorado (5-5)

PLAYOFF PICTURE

National Conference

Georgia at Detroit

American Conference

Dallas at San Jose

AFL: Sabercats Defeat Avengers, 28-16

LOS ANGELES-The San Jose Sabercats defeated the Los Angeles Avengers 28-16 in a Week 10 AFL contest.

Both teams punted to start the game, and then San Jose drove 54 yards on 7 plays. Fernando Findley finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 4:09 remaining in the first quarter. The Avengers answered with a 10-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown run by Chip Kindrick tying the game at 7 with 14:15 to go in the second quarter.

On San Jose's next possession, the Sabercats moved the ball 85 yards on 13 plays. Alan Sale ran for an 8-yard touchdown run to put the team up 14-7 with 8:25 to go in the half. After an Avengers punt, San Jose went on a 9-play, 79-yard drive. Timmy Carey scrambled on a 17-yard touchdown run to make it 21-7 with 1:49 to go in the second quarter. Los Angeles responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive, and Carmon Grimes kicked a 19-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining to make the score 21-10 at the half.

The Sabercats opened the second half with an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Carey threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Vince Saxon to extend San Jose's lead to 28-10 with 10:02 remaining in the third quarter. After both teams traded punts, the Avengers moved 54 yards on 9 plays. Juan York threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chip Kindrick. Los Angeles missed a 2-Point Conversion, and the score was 28-16 with 14:50 remaining in the fourth quarter,

The remainder of the fourth quarter was fairly uneventful. After trading punts, the Avengers got to within the Sabercats' 28-yard line, but were turned away on fourth down. Ethan Wycoff missed a 40-yard field goal late in the game, but San Jose had the game won and are now two games up on Colorado in the Western Division.

San Jose (7-3) gained 343 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 124 yards on 30 carries. Sale led the team on 85 yards on 16 carries and a TD. Carey was 20-of-32 passing for 242 yards and a TD. He was sacked three times, losing 23 yards. Turk Costigan led the receivers with 7 catches for 49 yards. Next week, the Sabercats will host the Iowa Barnstormers.

Los Angeles (3-7) gained 314 yards of total offense. The Avengers ran for 106 yards on 19 carries. Kindrick led the team with 71 yards on 10 carries and a TD. York was 25-of-40 passing for 238 yards and a TD. He was sacked four times, losing 30 yards. Keifer Dance led the receivers with 6 catches for 50 yards. The Avengers host the Chicago Rush next week.

AFL: Arizona Defeats Colorado, 29-23

PHOENIX-Turnovers have plagued the Arizona Rattlers all season. But in Week 10, the Rattlers were turnover-free, and the Colorado Crush fumbled the ball away late to give Arizona a 29-23 victory.

Both teams punted to start the game, and the Crush would move the ball 36 yards on 6 plays. Earl Ginger kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Colorado a 3-0 lead with 9:08 remaining in the first quarter. After a long return by Will Meads, Arizona would go on a 4-play, 48-yard drive that ended with Pablo Cadwell scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run with 7:26 remaining in the first to take a 7-3 lead. Colorado's next possession was disrupted by a Chris Harrell interception. The Rattlers would punt on the ensuing drive, but they would block a Gale Rosewall punt and get the ball at the Crush 30-yard line. They would lose 3 yards on 4 plays, but Pancho Barrow would kick a 50-yard field goal extending Arizona's lead to 10-3 with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter.

The Crush would take the ball and go on a 12-play, 69-yard drive. Howton Thom completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10 with 10:51 remaining in the half. Arizona would take three plays to respond, putting an exclamation point on a 68-yard drive with a 62-yard touchdown run by Cadwell to put the Rattlers up 17-10 with 9:18 left in the second quarter. Colorado would embark on a long, time-consuming drive, going 80 yards on 20 plays. Thom put an end to the 8-minute drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sandy Kelley that tied the game at 17 with 1:05 left in the half. The Rattlers answered with a 6-play, 61-yard drive that saw Barrow kick a 19-yard field goal on the final play of the half to give Arizona a 20-17 lead.

After a Colorado punt to open the third quarter, Arizona drove 38 yards on 9 plays, and Barrow would kick a 48-yard field goal to go up 23-17 with 9:34 left in the third quarter. Colorado appeared primed to score a touchdown, but Valentine Millstone's fumbled was recovered by Whitey Teel at the Arizona 18-yard line. After a Rattlers punt, the Crush went on a 12-play, 42-yard drive ending with a 44-yard field goal by Ginger with 15 seconds remaining in the third to make it 23-20.

Arizona moved into scoring position early in the fourth quarter, but Barrow missed a 45-yard field goal attempt. The Crush would answer with a 9-play, 35-yard drive that ended with Ginger kicking a 47-yard field goal to tie the game at 23 with 5:40 left in the fourth. The Rattlers responded with a 6-play, 32-yard drive that Barrow finished with a 52-yard field goal with 2:08 left to give Arizona a 26-23 lead. A kickoff out of bounds gave Colorado the ball at their own 35, but Thom would fumble the snap and Quincey Quasar recovered for the Rattlers at the 49-yard line with 1:37 to go. After traveling 19 yards and burning Colorado's timeouts, Barrow kicked a 47-yard field goal on the final play of the game to take a 29-23 win.

Arizona (2-8) gained 338 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 153 yards on 18 carries. Cadwell led the team with 93 yards on 6 carries and 2 TD. Don Fawcett went 20-of-35 passing for 191 yards, and was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. Melvin Jones led the receivers with 5 catches for 29 yards. The Rattlers host the Dallas Desperados next week.

Colorado (5-5) gained 345 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 142 yards on 33 carries. Kern led the team with 86 yards on 16 carries. Thom was 23-of-36 passing for 230 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 27 yards. Gitch Wild caught 6 passes for 65 yards, and Kelley had 6 receptions for 62 yards and a TD. The Crush will host the Milwaukee Mustangs next week.

AFL: Rush Defeat Barnstormers, 34-20

ROSEMONT, IL-Two fourth quarter touchdown passes by Arman Drummond enabled the Chicago Rush to defeat the slumping Iowa Barnstormers, 34-20 in Week 10 of the AFL season.

Iowa started with a drive into scoring position, but SB Rhoads missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. Chicago would answer with a 5-play, 36-yard drive, and Dete Justen drilled a 54-yard field goal to give the Rush a 3-0 lead with 7:21 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams traded punts during the remainder of the quarter.

After a Barnstormer punt early in the second quarter, The Rush drove 18 yards on 5 plays, and Justen kicked a 46-yard field goal with 12:01 remaining in the half to go up 6-0. Iowa's next drive again put them in scoring position, but Rhoads would miss a 42-yard field goal attempt. Chicago responded with an 11-play 68-yard drive, ending with Drummond throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Lonnie Clements making it 13-0 with 4:04 left in the second quarter. After an Iowa punt pinned Chicago deep in their own territory, the Rush lined up to punt. Winn Burnett's punt was blocked by Richard Ponder and Burnett recovered it in the end zone and was tackled for a safety with 14 seconds left in the half, and the Barnstormers trailed 13-2 at halftime.

Chicago started the second half with possession, and Drummond was intercepted by Shelton St. Johns. The Barnstormers would then drive 25 yards on 4 plays, and Rhoads kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 13-5 with 10:29 to go in the third quarter. The Rush would answer with a 10-play, 72-yard drive. Drummond finished it off with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Marty Margerum to pull ahead 20-5 with 6:30 remaining in the third. The Barnstormers would respond with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Ev Blansett would throw a 6-yard touchdown to Chesley Starnes with 1:06 left in the third to make it 20-12.

The Rush went three-and-out, and the Barnstormers would move the ball again, going 65 yards on 8 plays. Blansett would finish the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Starnes, and a successful 2-Point Conversion tied the game at 20 with 11:40 left in the fourth quarter. Chicago would answer with a 12-play, 67-yard drive, ending with Drummond throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Margerum giving the Rush a 27-20 lead with 6:04 to go in the fourth quarter. Iowa's comeback hopes were dashed when Blansett was picked off by Loren Dickerson, who returned it 32 yards to the Barnstormers' 32-yard line. Four plays later, Drummond threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Clements making it 34-20 with 3:46 left in the game. The Barnstormers tried to drive for a score, but were turned away on fourth down.

Chicago (3-7) gained 319 yards of total offense. The Rush gained 82 yards rushing on 27 carries. Ward Despain led the team with 46 yards on 10 carries. Drummond went 18-of-37 passing for 245 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for an 8-yard loss. Clements led the team with 6 catches for 84 yards and 2 TD. Margerum caught 5 passes for 79 yards and 2 TD. The Rush will visit the Los Angeles Avengers next week.

Iowa (4-6) gained 355 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers ran for 32 yards on 18 carries. Blansett was the team's leading rusher with 26 yards on 6 carries. He was 29-of-41 passing for 362 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 39 yards. Isaiah O'Connell led the team with 8 catches for 76 yards. Iowa goes on the road next week to face the San Jose Sabercats.

AFL: Desperados Run Over Mustangs, 40-10

DALLAS-The Dallas Desperados ran for four touchdowns in defeating the Milwaukee Mustangs for sole possession of first place in the AFL Central Division, by a score of 40-10 in a Week 10 game.

Milwaukee started the game going three-and-out, and a poor punt by Dexter Gaither that only traveled seven yards. Dallas then drove 37 yards on 5 plays, and Helmut Briley scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Desperados a 7-0 lead with 11:12 to go in the first quarter. The Mustangs would answer with a 10-play, 59-yard drive that ended with JC George throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Chester Brice tying the game at 7 with 6:46 left in the first quarter. Dallas appeared primed to score again, but Briley fumbled, and Travis Gargas returned it 19 yards to the Mustangs' 40-yard line. But four plays later, George threw an interception to Ardell Edmonds who returned it 4 yards to the Desperados' 23-yard line.

Following the interception, Dallas moved 77 yards on 5 plays, and Horace Evers ran for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Desperados a 14-7 lead with 14:09 to go in the first half. On Milwaukee's next possession, George's pass was intercepted by Edmonds who returned it 30 yards for a touchdown extending Dallas's lead to 21-7 with 13:45 remaining in the second quarter. After both teams traded punts, Milwaukee drove 61 yards on 8 plays, and Rock Philbrook kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1 second to go in the half, and the Mustangs trailed 21-10 at the half.

Dallas opened the second half with an 8-play, 43-yard drive. Greg Hall ended the drive with a 41-yard field goal with 10:46 to go in the third quarter to extend their lead to 24-10. Both teams would punt, and late in the third, Milwaukee drove to the Desperados' 7-yard line, but were turned away on 4th down.

Following the defensive stand, the Desperados embarked on an 8-play, 93-yard drive. Elson Gregson put the finishing touches on the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed, and Dallas was ahead 30-10 with 9:44 remaining in the game. Edmonds picked George off for the third time and returned it 34 yards to the 2-yard line, where Briley ran into the end zone on the next play, extending the lead to 37-10 with 8:46 left. The Mustangs were again turned away on fourth down, and after a 7-play, 20-yard drive, Hall kicked a 43-yard field goal with 2:21 left to make it 40-10.

Dallas (7-3) gained 383 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 180 yards on 37 carries. Briley led the team with 101 yards on 15 carries and 2 TD. Heinie Voorhees went 16-of-25 passing for 210 yards, and was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Gregson led the receivers with 5 catches for 73 yards, and ran for 57 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Dallas will visit the Arizona Rattlers next week.

Milwaukee (6-4) gained 256 yards of total offense. The Mustangs gained 88 yards rushing on 20 carries. George was Milwaukee's leading rusher with 42 yards on 5 carries. He was 23-of-39 passing for 178 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. C.C. Cage led the receivers with 7 catches for 23 yards. Brice caught 6 passes for 62 yards and a TD. Milwaukee visits the Colorado Crush next week.

AFL: Nashville Holds Off Orlando, 13-9

NASHVILLE-In a defensive struggle, the Nashville Kats were able to hold off the Orlando Predators 13-9 in Week 10 of the AFL season.

The first half was mostly dominated by punting, and the first scoring threat didn't come until late in the second quarter, as Orlando drove 67 yards on 13 plays. Abel White completed the drive with a 30-yard field goal with 1:55 to go in the first half. There was no further scoring after that, and Orlando led 3-0 at halftime.

The second half began much as the first half did, with both teams punting. Nashville would eventually get rolling with a 12-play, 44-yard drive. Daniel Stevenson finished the drive with a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 with 4:23 left in the third quarter. The Predators went three-and-out, and the Kats would then drive 34 yards on 6 plays. Stevenson ended the drive with a 52-yard field goal to give Nashville a 6-3 lead with 14:54 to go in the fourth quarter.

Orlando punted again, and Nashville would go on a 7-play, 53-yard drive. Oliver Osler would score on a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 13-3 with 10:23 left in the game. The Predators were faced with a 4th-and-1 at their own 49, and went for it. But Lando Reynolds sacked DJ Haji and caused a fumble that was recovered by Tamlin Lake at the 44. Stevenson would miss a 42-yard field goal attempt, and Orlando drove 68 yards on 11 plays. Haji completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Gene Crosby. White missed the extra point, and the Predators were down 13-9 with 1:30 left in the game. Orlando failed to get the onside kick, but a fumble by Damien Holden gave the Predators new life at their own 35 with 1:08 remaining. Orlando could only get to the 23-yard line, however, and Nashville successfully extended their unbeaten streak to three.

Nashville (5-4-1) gained 254 yards of total offense. The Kats ran for 111 yards on 28 carries. Osler led the team with 80 yards on 17 carries and a TD. Brewster Brickhouse went 21-of-28 passing for 144 yards, and was sacked once for a 1-yard loss. Vittorio Swane led Nashville receivers with 5 catches for 43 yards. Nashville will host the Detroit Drive next week.

Orlando (3-7) gained 247 yards of total offense. 

AFL: Georgia Beats Tampa Bay 21-18, Takes First in Southern

TAMPA-The Georgia Force defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 21-18 in a Week 10 AFL game, and with their fourth straight win, overtook Tampa Bay for first place in the AFL Southern Division.

Fourth down was an adventure for both teams in their first possession. The Force attempted a fake punt on fourth-and-4 from their 35, but Nelson Wynn's pass to Clem Foulks fell incomplete. On the Storm's ensuing possession, Johnny Quincey's 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked. On Georgia's next drive, Norm Damron completed a 43-yard pass to Paden Bonewell that would set up a 22-yard field goal by Wilbur Ahmad, finishing a 4-play, 61-yard drive to put the Force up 3-0 with 7:12 to go in the first quarter. The Storm would move down the field on their next drive, but Jefferson Taylor fumbled at the Georgia 11-yard line, and Ward Hilton recovered for the Force.

After the fumble, Georgia would drive 66 yards on 9 plays. Ahmad would kick a 40-yard field goal to take a 6-0 lead with 12:11 remaining in the half. Tampa Bay would answer with a 12-play, 60-yard drive that saw Quincey kick a 37-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 7:33 remaining in the second quarter. After the team traded punts, The Force moved the ball 73 yards on 14 plays, and Ahmad kicked a 19-yard field goal with 18 seconds to go in the half, and Georgia led 9-3 at halftime.

After Tampa Bay punted to start the second half, Damron threw a 74-yard pass to Bonewell, who was stopped at the 1-yard line. But the Force were turned away on 4th-and-Goal from the 1. However, on the next play, Vinnie Kirksey was tackled in the end zone by Phillip Schmidt in the end zone for a safety, giving the Force an 11-3 lead with 11:21 to go in the third quarter. Following a free kick, Georgia drove 36 yards on 6 plays. Ahmad kicked a 52-yard field goal to go up 14-3 with 9:01 remaining in the third. On Tampa Bay's next possession, Orval Stanley was intercepted by Lin Byers who returned it 23 yards to the Georgia 48-yard line. The Force moved again into scoring position, but Ahmad missed a 48-yard field goal attempt.

Following the miss, Tampa Bay would embark on a 12-play, 62-yard drive. Stanley finished the drive off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Foster Warhurst. The 2-Point Conversion was good, and the Storm were down 14-11 with 14:07 left in the fourth quarter. The Force would punt, and the Storm moved the ball 82 yards on 7 plays. Stanley would toss a 19-yard touchdown pass to Von Windle to give Tampa Bay an 18-14 lead with 8:48 to go. Georgia would respond with a 4-play, 62-yard drive, with Damron throwing a 39-yard touchdown strike to Gevan Crafton to give the Force a 21-18 lead with 7:04 left in the game. The Storm fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but Ahmad would miss a 41-yard field goal attempt. From there, Tampa would punt the ball but Georgia successfully killed the clock, making a Storm comeback difficult.

Georgia (6-4) gained 464 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 74 yards on 29 carries. Walter Halley led the team with 24 yards on 11 carries. Damron went 22-of-37 passing for a league-record 412 yards and 1 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 22 yards. Bonewell caught 10 passes for a league-record 211 yards. Next week, the Force will host the Albany Firebirds.

Tampa Bay (5-4-1) gained 288 yards of total offense. The Storm gained 67 yards on 23 carries. Taylor led the team with 34 yards on 9 carries. Stanley went 19-of-35 passing for 236 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 15-yard loss. Warhurst led the Storm receivers for 8 catches for 95 yards and a TD. The Storm host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.

AFL: Rampage Blow Out Firebirds, 46-20

GRAND RAPIDS-Curtis Wayne put up the first 400-yard passing performance in the AFL, and threw for four touchdowns in leading the Grand Rapids Rampage to a 46-20 blowout over the Albany Firebirds in a Week 10 game. And frankly, the game was not even that close.

The Rampage started the game with a 4-play, 30-yard drive that ended with a 53-yard field goal by George Tibbs to put them up 3-0 with 12:38 remaining in the first quarter. The Firebirds went three-and-out, and Grand Rapids moved again, going 29 yards on 6 plays. Tibbs connected on a 24-yard field goal with 7:13 left in the first to make it 6-0. The ensuing kickoff was a wobbly knuckler that Tico Ponder returned to the Grand Rapids 36-yard line. After a five-play, five-yard drive, Dom Wenning put the Firebirds on the board with a 48-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 6:19 left in the first quarter.

After the teams traded punts, Grand Rapids started flexing their passing muscle, ending a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Wayne to Hudie Naylor. The extra point was no good, and Grand Rapids led 12-3 with 14:48 remaining in the half. After a Firebird punt, the Rampage rolled again, going 86 yards on 8 plays. Wayne threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bobo Cushing to extend the lead to 19-3 with 10:20 left in the second quarter. Albany attempted to drive for a score, but Sinbad Gargaro was intercepted by Bobby Harpole at the Albany 45. Naylor would fumble on the next play, and Harrel Lynn recovered for the Firebirds at the 38. But the Firebirds would go three-and-out, and the Rampage went on an 8-play, 72-yard drive. Wayne threw another touchdown, this one going to Bud Tyrer for 28 yards, and the score was 26-3 with 3:44 remaining in the half. Albany would answer with a 7-play, 44-yard drive, ending with a 53-yard field goal by Wenning with 45 seconds left to get to within at 20 at 26-6. But the Rampage would go 59 yards on 5 plays, and Tibbs would make a 34-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the half to go into the locker room up 29-6.

After an Albany punt to start the second half, Grand Rapids would drive 57 yards on 7 plays, and Naylor would score on a 9-yard touchdown run to extend the Rampage lead to 36-6 with 11:22 remaining in the third. Orville Brill would pick Gargaro off at the 37-yard line, and after a 5-play, 30-yard drive, Tibbs would kick a 24-yard field goal to make it 39-6 with 7:01 remaining in the third. The Firebirds would drive 76 yards on 14 plays, and Gargaro finished the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jerreld Richmond to make the score 39-13 with 29 seconds to go in the third.

Tibbs would miss a 41-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth, and the Firebirds would move the ball 69 yards on 14 plays. Gargaro completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Beck Kymes to make the score 39-20 with 7:17 remaining in the game. An onside kick failed, and two plays later, Wayne threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 41-yard strike to Joe Foss with 6:16 left to make it 46-20 in favor of Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids (6-4) gained 522 yards of total offense. The Rampage ran for 131 yards on 29 carries. Toby Harrell led the team with 50 yards on 12 carries. Wayne went 23-of-32 passing for 404 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 13 yards. Clift Gregory led the receivers with 5 catches for 28 yards. Foss caught 4 passes for 85 yards and a TD. The Rampage are on the road next week against the Tampa Bay Storm.

Albany (5-5) gained 234 yards of total offense. The Firebirds basically didn't even try to run the ball, gaining 57 yards on 14 carries. Abdul Fowler led the team with 41 yards on 8 carries. Gargaro was 26-of-53 passing for 238 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked eight times, losing 61 yards. Richmond led the receivers with 7 catches for 82 yards and a TD. The Firebirds go on the road next week to face the Georgia Force.

AFL: Dragons Defeat Drive in 34-26 Thriller

DETROIT-Lou Couch felt the pressure and scrambled out of the pocket. He took off 76 yards down the field, bringing the crowd to its feet. Unfortunately, the end zone was 80 yards away and he fumbled at the 4. The New York Dragons recovered the loose ball and defeated the Detroit Drive in a Week 10 AFL thriller, 34-26.

The Drive started the game moving the ball 37 yards on 10 plays. Cletis Frayer ended the drive with a 45-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 10:09 to go in the first quarter. New York responded by moving the ball 85 yards on 13 plays. Faron Emerson ended it with a 22-yard scoring strike to Ardell Ashmore putting the Dragons up 7-3 with 4:10 to go in the first. Detroit responded in kind with an 8-play, 65-yard drive. Rocky Adams ran the ball in for a 5-yard touchdown to take a 10-7 lead with 48 seconds left in the first quarter.

It was New York's turn to make a scoring drive, and they went 80 yards on 11 plays. Emerson threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to George Larron and the Dragons were ahead 14-10 with 11:31 left in the half. The defenses appeared to settle down after that, as the teams traded punts. Then, Detroit drove 86 yards on 11 plays. Patch Brolie would run in the ball from the 6, and the Drive took a 17-14 with 1:54 left in the second. The Dragons would answer with a 9-play, 67-yard drive, and Burt Hamrick would kick a 20-yard field goal with 8 seconds to go, and the teams were tied at 17 at the half.

New York would punt to start the second half, and Detroit would move the ball 39 yards on 8 plays. Frayer kicked his second field goal of the game, a 36-yarder to take a 20-17 lead with 7:00 remaining in the third quarter. But Cecil Okoye would take the ensuing kickoff and return it 89 yards for a touchdown with 6:44 left in the third to take a 24-20 lead. On Detroit's next possession, Couch was intercepted by Vance Bicker who returned it 13 yards to the Detroit 45. Six plays later, Melvin Betts scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to extend New York's lead to 31-20 with 14:54 remaining in the game.

Detroit would answer with an 8-play, 66-yard drive. Couch would complete a 15-yard touchdown pass to Dave Huntley, but the Drive missed the 2-Point Conversion and were down 31-26 with 11:14 remaining. A short kickoff and long return by Ashmore led to a 4-play, 15-yard drive that ended with a 44-yard field goal by Hamrick with 9:33 remaining to pull ahead 34-26. Detroit moved downfield, but were turned away on 4th down at the New York 35. After the teams traded punts, Detroit found themselves on their own 20 with 52 seconds left and 1 timeout. Couch called a Square Out against a blitz, and was flushed out of the pocket. He took off on a 76-yard run, but Omar Wheeley jarred the ball loose, and fell on the ball with 31 seconds left to salt the game away for the Dragons.

New York (5-5) gained 350 yards of total offense. The Dragons gained 115 yards rushing on 31 carries. Larron led the team with 42 yards on 11 carries. Emerson went 16-of-29 passing for 249 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 14 yards. Ashmore led the receivers with 7 catches for 123 yards and a TD. The Dragons will visit the Orlando Predators next week.

Detroit (7-3) gained 436 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 159 yards on 26 carries. Couch, on the strength of that 76-yard run, led the team with 104 yards on 9 carries. He was 25-of-34 passing for 286 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Huntley led the receivers with 8 catches for 104 yards and a TD. Detroit goes on the road next week against the Nashville Kats.

AFL Week 9 Standings

EASTERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Detroit Drive	7	2	0	243	194
Albany Firebirds	5	4	0	174	204
Grand Rapids Rampage	5	4	0	201	197
New York Dragons	4	5	0	208	206
SOUTHERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Tampa Bay Storm	5	3	1	205	180
Georgia Force	5	4	0	269	206
Nashville Kats	4	4	1	205	225
Orlando Predators	3	6	0	191	218
CENTRAL DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
Milwaukee Mustangs	6	3	0	225	188
Dallas Desperados	6	3	0	229	204
Iowa Barnstormers	4	5	0	252	199
Chicago Rush	2	7	0	227	265
WESTERN DIVISION	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Jose Sabercats	6	3	0	208	173
Colorado Crush	5	4	0	179	188
Los Angeles Avengers	3	6	0	220	231
Arizona Rattlers	1	8	0	127	285

WEEK 9 SCORES (Home teams in Bold)

Detroit 27, Chicago 20

Grand Rapids 20, Iowa 9

Milwaukee 26, Albany 13

Dallas 23, New York 13

Nashville 27, Los Angeles 14

San Jose 23, Tampa Bay 19

Georgia 42, Colorado 21

Orlando 26, Arizona 0

WEEK 10 GAMES

New York (4-5) at Detroit (7-2)

Albany (5-4) at Grand Rapids (5-4)

Orlando (3-6) at Nashville (4-4-1)

Georgia (5-4) at Tampa Bay (5-3-1)

Milwaukee (6-3) at Dallas (6-3)

Iowa (4-5) at Chicago (2-7)

Colorado (5-4) at Arizona (1-8)

San Jose (6-3) at Los Angeles (3-6)

AFL: Predators Pitch Shutout, 26-0

PHOENIX-The Orlando Predators pitched the first shutout of the AFL season, as they defeated the Arizona Rattlers 26-0 in a Week 9 game.

Both teams punted to start the game, and Orlando found themselves on the 1-yard line. On the second play of that drive, D.J. Giles completed a 31-yard halfback option pass to DJ Haji to the Predators' 32-yard line. The Predators would finish the 12-play, 99-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Haji to RW Courier to put them up 7-0 with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter.

The touchdown drive seemed to suck the air out of Arizona, and they spent most of the game fruitlessly trying to establish an offensive gameplan. After an exchange of punts, Don Fawcett threw an interception to Cleveland Whitaker at the Orlando 40. After a 7-play, 31-yard drive, Abel White kicked a 46-yard field goal with 5:19 to go in the first half, making it 10-0. Arizona punted again, and the Predators drove 45 yards on 8 plays. White kicked a 51-yard field goal to extend Orlando's lead to 13-0 with 53 seconds remaining in the half.

The second half did not go much better for the Rattlers, and after a couple of punts, Orlando worked their way downfield on a 10-play, 67-yard drive. Haji finished the drive off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Giles, making the score 20-0 with 5:52 to go in the third. Arizona's ensuing drive ended when Stomp Navarro's fumble was recovered by Jack Stuckey at the Predators' 49-yard line. A 9-play, 43-yard drive ended with White kicking a 25-yard field goal to put Orlando up 23-0 with 14:41 to go in the game.

Stuckey would intercept Fawcett on Arizona's next drive, but White's 33-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and fell short. The Rattlers tried to drive for a score, but Fahad Ruff picked Fawcett off and returned it to the Predators' 31-yard line. Orlando would then drive 64 yards on 13 plays, and White kicked his fourth field goal, a 22-yard kick with 18 seconds to go to end the scoring.

Orlando (3-6) gained 372 yards of total offense. The Predators rushed for 73 yards on 33 carries. Giles led the team with 59 yards on 17 carries. Haji went 27-of-38 passing for 268 yards and 2 TD and was not sacked. Caleb Doering led Orlando's receivers with 8 catches for 75 yards. Orlando will visit the Nashville Kats next week, hoping to recover from a 37-27 loss in Week 4 at Orlando.

Arizona (1-8) gained 207 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 60 yards on 22 carries. Fawcett ran for 21 yards on 6 carries, and Pablo Cadwell gained 21 yards on 10 carries. Fawcett went 12-of-23 passing for 161 yards and 3 INT. He was sacked once for a 14-yard loss. Navarro led the Rattlers with 3 catches for 32 yards. Next week, the Rattlers will host the Colorado Crush, who they lost to in Week 4, 28-20 in Denver.

AFL; Force Cruise Past Crush, 42-21

DENVER-The Georgia Force scored three touchdowns in a 4-minute span in the first quarter, and it enabled them to cruise to a 42-21 victory over the Colorado Crush in Week 9 of the AFL season.

Georgia started the game at midfield, and drove 50 yards on 7 plays. Norm Damron finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Walter Halley to give the Force a 7-0 lead with 13:04 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Gitch Wild fumbled the return at the 6-yard line and Darl Rose scooped it up for the touchdown to put Georgia up 14-0 with 12:49 remaining in the first. The fumble bug hit Colorado again, as JC Holman had the ball stripped away, and Sonny Warick recovered for the Force at the 30. Seven plays later, Damron threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Paden Bonewell, making the score 21-0 in favor of Georgia with 9:04 remaining in the first quarter. The Crush finally held on to the ball, but Earl Ginger would miss a 53-yard field goal attempt. Damron would throw an interception on the next play, as Eric Adcock picked him off at the Colorado 46-yard line. Seven plays later, Howton Thom completed the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Turk Dill to make the score 21-7 with 1:51 remaining in the first.

Both teams would punt, and then the Force would drive 62 yards on 5 plays, with Clem Foulks putting the exclamation point on the drive with a 38-yard touchdown run, putting Georgia up 28-7 with 11:42 left in the half. Punting would dominate much of the second quarter, until Thom was sacked by Horatio Chipman who would recover the subsequent fumble at the Crush 39-yard line. Three plays later, Damron threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Richard Gerard, and the Force were up 35-7 with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter. The Crush would respond with a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended with Thom throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dill with 29 seconds to go, and Colorado trailed 35-14 at halftime.

On the first play of the second half, Thom was intercepted by Alfred Pinkston. But the Force would go three-and-out, and Colorado would drive 86 yards on 9 plays. Thom would complete the drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Sandy Kelley to get the score to 35-21 with 9:05 left in the third quarter. After Georgia punted, Thom would get picked off again, this time by Ward Hilton, who returned it 18 yards to the Georgia 37-yard line. After a 7-play, 63-yard drive, Damron threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 12-yard pass to Gevan Crafton, and the Force went up 42-21 with 1:45 remaining in the third. Not much of note happened after that, as Colorado couldn't move downfield through the air, and Georgia was content to run out the clock.

Georgia (5-4) gained 295 yards of total offense. The Force gained 130 yards rushing on 28 carries. Foulks led the team with 76 yards on 14 carries and a TD. Damron went 19-of-28 passing for 177 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 12-yard loss. Bonewell was Georgia's leading receiver with 6 catches for 84 yards and a TD. The Force will visit the Tampa Bay Storm next week, looking to avenge a 26-13 loss to the Storm in Week 4.

Colorado (5-4) gained 351 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 65 yards on 11 carries. Thom led the team with 27 yards on 4 carries. He went 31-of-50 passing for 318 yards, 3 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 32 yards. Dill caught 6 passes for 82 yards and 2 TD. Tyler Howell also caught 6 passes for 58 yards. Colorado is on the road against the Arizona Rattlers next week, a team they defeated in Week 4 by a score of 28-20.

AFL: Tampa Bay Comes Up Short Against San Jose, 23-19

SAN JOSE-The San Jose Sabercats and Tampa Bay Storm each missed an extra point, but the miss was more costly for the Storm as they fell to the Sabercats, 23-19 in a Week 9 AFL game.

Tampa Bay would punt to start the game, but Ethan Wycoff missed a 49-yard field goal attempt for San Jose. Orval Stanley would get a pass intercepted by Chuck Wleborn who returned it to the Sabercats' 39-yard line. The Sabercats would drive again, but Wycoff missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Tampa Bay would respond with a 7-play, 58-yard drive, ending with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Stanley to Von Windle to give the Storm a 7-0 lead with 2:25 to go in the first quarter.

The teams would trade punts early in the second quarter, and the Sabercats would then move the ball 36 yards on 4 plays. Timmy Carey punctuated the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Vince Saxon to tie the game at 7 with 9:56 remaining in the half. The teams would trade punts again, and the Storm found themselves at their own 1-yard line with 7:33 left in the second quarter. After a 15-play, 84-yard drive, Johnny Quincey would kick a 32-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining to put Tampa Bay up 10-7 at the half.

After another exchange of punts in the third quarter, San Jose drove 37 yards on 10 plays, and Wyocff finally connected on a 54-yard field goal with 8:12 to go in the third to tie the game at 10. On the Storm's ensuing possession, Stanley was intercepted by Elois Zepecki at the Tampa Bay 42. Seven plays later, Alan Sale ran in for a 1-yard touchdown. Wycoff missed the extra point, and the Sabercats led 16-10 with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter. The Storm would answer with an 11-play, 55-yard drive, and Quincey would kick a 31-yard field goal with 14:54 to go in the fourth quarter to make it 16-13.

On the ensuing kickoff, Elson Saxon returned the kick 76 yards to the Storm 14-yard line. On the following play, Carey threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ramon Counce to go up 23-13 with 14:30 left in the fourth. After trading punts twice, the Storm would go 52 yards on 3 plays. Stanley threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ponder to finish the drive. Quincey would miss the extra point, and the score was 23-19 with 4:55 to go in the game. The Storm kicked deep to the Sabercats, and San Jose would eventually punt to the Tampa Bay 7-yard line with 1:11 left. The Storm got to the Sabercats' 28-yard line with 4 seconds left, but Stanley's pass to Foster Warhurst in the end zone fell incomplete.

San Jose (6-3) gained 285 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 163 yards on 29 carries. Sale led the team with 59 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Carey went 16-of-24 passing for 154 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked four times, losing 32 yards. Counce caught 4 passes for 48 yards and a TD. VInce Saxon caught 4 passes for 33 yards and a TD. The Sabercats will visit the Los Angeles Avengers next week. San Jose defeated Los Angeles 17-14 in Week 4.

Tampa Bay (5-3-1) gained 345 yards of total offense. The Storm ran for only 37 yards on 22 carries. Jefferson Taylor led the team with 16 yards on 8 carries. Stanley went 21-of-40 passing for 344 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 36 yards. Warhurst led the Storm with 7 catches for 78 yards. Windle caught 5 passes for 115 yards and a TD. The Storm will visit the Georgia Force next week, a team they defeated 26-13 in Week 4.

AFL: Nashville Beats Los Angeles, 27-14

LOS ANGELES-Davis Weems caught a pair of touchdown passes to help the Nashville Kats defeat the Los Angeles Avengers 27-14 in a Week 9 AFL game.

Nashville started with possession and moved downfield but Daniel Stevenson missed a 50-yard field goal. Los Angeles took the ball and drove 60 yards on 7 plays. Juan York finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Kiefer Dance giving the Avengers a 7-0 lead with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter. The Kats answered with a 10-play, 37-yard drive culminating in a 40-yard field goal by Stevenson to make it 7-3 with 56 seconds to go in the first.

After the teams traded punts, the Kats got to work with a 7-play, 64-yard drive that saw Brewster Brickhouse complete a 21-yard touchdown pass to Angus Shibest for a touchdown, giving Nashville a 10-7 lead with 5:16 to go in the first half. The Avengers tried to answer back, but York was picked off by Verlin Winfrey at the Nashville 32. The Kats couldn't make that turnover sting, though, as Stevenson would miss a 49-yard field goal attempt. But after an Avenger punt, the Kats used two quick passes covering 31 yards to give Stevenson a chance to make a 46-yard field goal with 6 seconds to go, and the Kats were up 13-7 at halftime.

The teams exchanged punts to start the second half, and the Avengers were pinned deep in their own territory. Cameron Devlin would fumble at his own 10-yard line, and Lando Reynolds recovered for the Kats. On the next play, Brickhouse hit Weems for a 10-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-7 with 11:39 to go in the third quarter. Both teams would trade punts as the third quarter moved along.

Late in the third, the Kats started a drive from their own 20, and they would go on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Brickhouse throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Weems to put Nashville up 27-7 with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter. The Avengers would punt, and seemingly caught a break when Brickhouse fumbled a snap, and Carlisle June recovered at the Nashville 37-yard line. But Reynolds would pick York off again at the 25-yard line to snuff out that threat. The Kats would punt, and the Avengers would go on a 6-play, 93-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass from York to Clovis Awtrey. But it was too little, too late as the score was 27-14 in favor of Nashville with 1:49 remaining in the game. An onside kick went for naught, as the Kats ran out the clock.

Nashville (4-4-1) gained 411 yards of total offense. The Kats ran for 163 yards on 41 carries. Weems led the teams with 63 yards on 17 carries. He also caught 3 passes for 49 yards and 2 TD. Brickhouse went 22-of-32 passing for 255 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Vittorio Swane led the receivers with 6 catches for 61 yards. Nashville will host the Orlando Predators next week in a rematch of a 37-27 Nashville victory in Week 4.

Los Angeles (3-6) gained 325 yards of total offense. The Avengers made very little effort to run the ball, gaining 55 yards on 11 carries. Chip Kindrick led the team with 28 yards on 4 carries. York went 23-of-39 passing for 317 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked six times, losing 47 yards. Devlin led the receivers with 7 catches for 105 yards. Ken Lavue also caught 7 passes for 94 yards. The Avengers will host the San Jose Sabercats next week in an attempt to comeback from a 17-14 defeat in San Jose back in Week 4.

AFL: Desperados Defeat Dragons, 23-13

DALLAS-Elson Gregson scored a touchdown in the last 2 minutes to help the Dallas Desperados put away the New York Dragons 23-13 in a Week 9 AFL contest.

The first quarter was slow, with both teams punting the ball away. Midway through the period, the Dragons' Burt Hamrick missed a 53-yard field goal. On the ensuing Dallas possession, Heinie Voorhees had a pass intercepted by Hans Magnolia. But Freddy Ashercraft fumbled at the Dragons' 46, and Guy Dodson recovered for the Desperados. Dallas then drove 44 yards on 13 plays, and Greg Hall kicked a 19-yard field with 14:30 left in the second quarter to give the Desperados a 3-0 lead.

After Hamrick missed a 54-yard attempt, the Desperados went on 3-play, 56-yard drive, ending with Voorhees tossing an 18-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes with 8:41 left in the half to go up 10-0. The Dragons responded with a 6-play, 43-yard drive, Hamrick would finally get New York on the board with a 51-yard field goal to make it 10-3 with 5:29 to go in the second quarter. The Dragons would strike again when Magnolia intercepted a Voorhees pass and streaked 38 yards to the end zone to tie the game at 10 with 4:20 left in the half. The Desperados would punt, and the Dragons would fumble in the last two minutes, but Hall would miss a 32-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half.

Dallas started the second half on their own 1-yard line, and would have to punt. New York would answer with a 12-play, 35-yard drive, ending with a 29-yard field goal by Hamrick to take a 13-10 lead with 4:46 left in the third quarter. The Desperados would respond driving 31 yards on 5 plays. Hall would kick a 54-yard field goal to tie it at 13 with 2:22 to go in the third.

Hamrick would miss another 54-yard field goal attempt, and Dallas would then drive 19 yards on 6 plays. Hall would connect on a 54-yarder of his own, to give the Desperados a 16-13 lead with 11:19 to go in the fourth quarter. Both teams would trade punts, and then Faron Emerson threw a pass that was intercepted by Grant Frederick at the Dragons 34-yard line with 5:20 left. Seven plays later, Gregson would run it in from 2 yards out to put Dallas up 23-13 with 1:54 to go.

Dallas (6-3) gained 254 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 74 yards on 30 carries. Voorhees led the team with 31 yards on 6 carries. Gregson ran for 27 yards on 17 carries and a TD, and led the receivers with 9 catches for 117 yards. Voorhees went 17-of-29 passing for 211 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 31 yards. The Desperados will host the Milwaukee Mustangs next week in a game for the Central Division lead. The Mustangs defeated Dallas 27-12 in Week 4 at Milwaukee.

New York (4-5) gained 293 yards of total offense. The Dragons gained 111 yards rushing on 27 carries. George Larron led the team with 72 yards on 14 carries. Emerson went 19-of-36 passing for 205 yards and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 25 yards. Booker Starling led the receivers with 5 catches for 36 yards. The Dragons visit the Detroit Drive next week, a team they lost to 17-9 in Week 4.

AFL: Mustangs Ground Firebirds, 26-13

MILWAUKEE-The Milwaukee Mustangs pulled away in the second half to earn a 26-13 victory over the Albany Firebirds in a Week 9 AFL contest.

The Mustangs started on offense, but JC George's pass was intercepted by Hershel Sanderson who returned it 14 yards to the Milwaukee 45-yard line. After four plays gained ten yards, Dom Wenning missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Milwaukee then went on a 7-play, 58-yard drive. George completed the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Luke Ainley, giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with 6:07 to go in the first. On the first play of Albany's next possession, Tico Ponder fumbled and Yousef Checkers recovered at midfield. After the Mustangs punted, the Firebirds would punt and recovered a Rory Bane fumble at the Albany 45. The Firebirds would turn it over again, as Sinbad Gargaro was sacked by Bo Dicus, and Checkers recovered the fumble at the Mustangs 42.

After another Milwaukee punt, Gargaro was intercepted by Rocky Brant at the Firebirds' 45-yard line. Following a six-play, 25-yard drive, Rock Philbrook kicked a 37-yard field goal with 10:22 to go in the half to go up 10-0. Albany answered with a 7-play, 30-yard drive, ending with a 50-yard field goal by Wenning making it 10-3 with 7:35 remaining in the second quarter. The Mustangs went three-and-out, and the Firebirds drove 24 yards on 10 plays. Wenning kicked a 32-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining in the half, and the teams went into halftime with Milwaukee ahead 10-6.

On the second play of the third quarter, Gargaro threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Scooter Colby to put the Firebirds ahead 13-10 with 13:58 left in the third quarter. The Mustangs answered with a 7-play, 45-yard drive, ending with Philbrook kicking a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 13 with 10:21 remaining in the third. The Firebirds punted, and the Mustangs drove 71 yards on 9 plays. Ainley finished the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to take a 20-13 lead with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.

The Firebirds went three-and-out, and the Mustangs drove 51 yards on 9 plays, with Philbrook kicking a 25-yard field goal with 12:44 remaining in the game to go up 23-13. Albany's next drive end with Gargaro getting intercepted by Checkers who returned it 20 yards to the Mustangs' 47-yard line. The Mustangs then went on a 9-play, 48-yard drive, and Philbrook kicked a 22-yard field goal with 4:07 remaining in the game to make it 26-13.

Milwaukee (6-3) gained 360 yards of total offense. The Mustangs ran for 146 yards on 38 carries. Chester Brice led the team with 70 yards on 23 carries. George went 15-of-29 passing for 214 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT and was not sacked. Heinie Clausen led the team with 5 catches for 70 yards. Next week, the Mustangs will visit the Dallas Desperados, in a rematch of a 27-12 Milwaukee victory in Week 4.

Albany (5-4) gained 231 yards of total offense. The Firebirds were held to 51 yards on 14 carries. Ponder led the Firebirds with 20 yards on 6 carries. Gargaro went 22-of-37 passing for 245 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked seven times, losing 65 yards. Teddy Harley led the team with 5 receptions for 46 yards. Next week, the Firebirds will visit the Grand Rapids Rampage, a team they defeated 24-14 in Week 4.

AFL: Rampage Beat Barnstormers, 20-9

DES MOINES, IA-The Grand Rapids Rampage kept the Iowa Barnstormers out of the end zone in a 20-9 victory in Week 9 of the AFL season.

The Rampage started the game with a punt, and the Barnstormers answered with a 5-play, 47-yard drive ending with a 23-yard field goal by SB Rhoads to give Iowa a 3-0 lead with 12:32 left in the first quarter. After another Grand Rapids punt, the Rampage intercepted an Ev Blansett pass. Curley Treece returned it 33 yards to the Barnstormers' 20-yard line. They got it down to the 2-yard line, but an ill-fated fake field goal blew up in their face, as George Tibbs dropped a pass from Alza Newkirk. After that, the Barnstormers drove 83 yards on 14 plays, and Rhoads kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:13 left in the first quarter to go up 6-0.

Following the field goal, Grand Rapids would drive 84 yards on 14 plays. Nikolai Vilmer put an end to the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Curtis Wayne to put the Rampage up 7-6 with 9:05 remaining in the half. The Barnstormers would punt, but Grand Rapids would turn it over as Toby Harrell's fumble was recovered by Merrill Bliss at the Rampage 40-yard line. Following a 6-play, 20-yard drive, Rhoads connected on a 37-yard field goal with 3:56 left in the second quarter to take a 9-7 lead. The Rampage would respond with an 11-play, 71-yard drive. Wayne finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Joe Foss with 1:02 left in the half, and Grand Rapids went into the locker room with a 14-9 lead.

The Barnstormers started the second half at their own 37, and faced and 4th-and-Goal at the 2. Iowa opted to go for the touchdown, but Blansett was sacked by Mercury Gross at the 9 to put an end to the scoring threat. Following a 7-play, 55-yard drive, Tibbs connected on a 53-yard field goal to give the Rampage a 17-9 lead with 5:17 to go in the third quarter. The Barnstormers would punt on their next drive, downing the ball on the Grand Rapids 7-yard line.

The Rampage would move the ball 63 yards on 11 plays. Tibbs would put a cap on the drive with a 47-yard field goal to make it 20-9 with 11:58 remaining in the game. The teams would trade punts, and Iowa attempted to drive toward a score from their own 8, but Blansett was picked off by Orville Brill at the Grand Rapids 19-yard line with 2:18 left in the game. After a Rampage punt, Iowa desperately tried to get back on the board, but Rhoads would miss a 53-yard field goal attempt in the last minute of the game.

Grand Rapids (5-4) gained 368 yards of total offense. The Rampage gained 108 yards rushing on 28 carries. Bobo Cushing led the team with 45 yards on 7 carries. Wayne went 22-of-36 passing for 274 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 14 yards. Foss led the receivers with 8 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD. The Rampage will host the Albany Firebirds next week, hoping to avenge a 24-14 loss in Week 4 at Albany.

Iowa (4-5) gained 339 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers ran for 101 yards on 23 carries. Blansett was the rushing threat for the Barnstormers, gaining 67 yards on 8 carries. He was 19-of-40 passing for 268 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 30 yards. Chesley Starnes was Iowa's leading receiver with 4 catches for 67 yards. Next week, the Barnstormers will visit the Chicago Rush, a team they throttled to the tune of a 57-20 score in Week 4.

AFL: Detroit Drives Past Chicago, 27-20

ROSEMONT, IL-The Detroit Drive secured their third straight win with a 27-20 victory over the Chicago Rush in a Week 9 AFL game.

The game started slowly, with both teams trading punts. Chicago was on the 3-yard line, and an Arman Drummond screen pass to Ward Despain was disrupted by Tad Adler who tackled Despain in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 Detroit lead with 10:34 remaining in the first quarter. The Rush recovered from the safety and would move 47 yards on 6 plays. Dete Justen finished the drive with a 50-yard field goal with 3:38 left in the first to take a 3-2 lead. Detroit tried to drive for a score, but a fumbled snap by Lou Couch was recovered by MacArthur Fagan at the Detroit 47-yard line.

The Rush would then finish an 8-play, 47-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Drummond to Zach Allen, giving Chicago a 10-2 lead with 12:45 left in the half. Detroit responded by moving the ball 61 yards on 8 plays. Couch completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Vern Kelly. The Drive successfully went for two, and tied the game at 10 with 8:32 to go in the second quarter. Chicago would answer with a 12-play, 59-yard drive. Justen ended it with a 33-yard field goal giving the Rush a 13-10 lead with 2:49 to go in the half. The Drive would turn it over again, as Couch was sacked by Fagan, and Harlan Fears recovered at midfield.

Detroit opened the second half with a 7-play, 41-yard drive. Cletis Frayer would finish it off with a 47-yard field goal with 11:15 left in the third to tie it at 13. The teams would trade punts, and Chicago's Lonnie Clements fumbled at the Detroit 39 and Jeffrey Wilkey recovered for the Drive. After another exchange of punts, Detroit drove 53 yards on 6 plays. Couch threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dave Huntley to go up 20-13 with 1:06 left in the third quarter.

Chicago would punt, and the Drive worked their way down the field again, going 80 yards on 13 plays. Couch threw his third touchdown of the game, a 12-yard pass to Todd Boyce to put Detroit up 27-13 with 8:37 left in the game. The Rush answered with an 8-play, 63-yard drive. Drummond completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Despain with 5:37 remaining to make it 27-20. Both teams would punt, and the Rush were at their own 20 with 1:19 to go, but they couldn't even convert a fourth down, and Detroit ran out the clock.

Detroit (7-2) gained 382 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 131 yards on 31 carries. Couch and Patch Brolie each gained 45 yards rushing on 10 carries each. Couch went 25-of-43 passing for 257 yards and 3 TD, and was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. Kelly led Detroit's receivers with 10 catches for 105 yards and a TD. Next week, the Drive will host the New York Dragons in a rematch of a 17-9 Detroit victory in Week 4.

Chicago (2-7) gained 242 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 51 yards on 19 carries. Clements led the Rush with 22 yards on 9 carries. Drummond went 21-of-38 passing for 192 yards and 2 TD, and was sacked once for a 1-yard loss. Allen led Chicago's receivers with 6 catches for 45 yards and a TD. Chicago will host the Iowa Barnstormers next week, in a rematch of a 57-20 shellacking by the Barnstormers in Week 4.

AFL League Leaders

RUSHING	ATT	YARDS	TD	LONG	AVG
Sale, SJ	124	582	5	28	4.7
Gregson, DAL	113	500	4	69	4.4
Millstone, COL	99	445	4	62	4.5
Kindrick, LA	98	443	6	43	4.5
Clements, CHI	89	420	5	63	4.7
Giles, ORL	95	348	2	32	3.7
Harrell, GR	102	334	2	14	3.3
Foulks, GEO	91	331	3	15	3.6
Ramos, IOW	91	322	3	20	3.5
Larron, NY	94	312	2	16	3.3
RECEIVING	REC	YARDS	TD	LONG	AVG
Bonewell, GEO	53	561	5	54	10.6
O'Connell, IOW	51	567	5	35	11.1
Margerum, CHI	50	555	5	39	11.1
Hawes, DAL	49	588	3	49	12.0
Warhurst, TB	49	608	3	34	12.4
Harley, ALB	45	485	4	50	10.8
Huntley, DET	42	473	2	30	11.3
Kelly, DET	41	498	4	46	12.1
Gregson, DAL	39	383	4	28	9.8
Jones, ARI	38	367	1	28	9.7
PASSING	RAT	ATT	COMP	PCT	INT	INT%	YARDS	YPP	TD	LONG	SACK
Damron, GEO	104.8	277	189	68.2%	3	1.1%	2067	7.5	16	54	17
Stanley, TB	90.7	266	169	63.5%	7	2.6%	2020	7.6	12	65	22
Couch, DET	90.3	269	178	66.2%	10	3.7%	2013	7.5	14	46	24
Drummond, CHI	87.4	289	178	61.6%	9	3.1%	2221	7.7	13	70	23
Blansett, IOW	82.7	298	174	58.4%	11	3.7%	2023	6.8	17	51	22
Emerson, NY	80.0	262	157	59.9%	12	4.6%	1837	7.0	14	80	13
Thom, COL	78.3	286	173	60.5%	11	3.8%	2071	7.2	10	59	16
Voorhees, DAL	77.7	312	180	57.7%	10	3.2%	2019	6.5	13	73	24
Brickhouse, NAS	77.3	277	169	61.0%	9	3.2%	1883	6.8	8	54	11
Wayne, GR	75.2	274	139	50.7%	10	3.6%	1747	6.4	16	64	25
SACKS
Board, SJ	11
Tuck, IOW	9
Lake, NAS	8
Berle, COL	7
Gandy, SJ	7
Dudson, DAL	6
Boozer, NAS	6
Spencer, GEO	6
June, LA	6
Flack, ORL	6
Jaxon, DAL	6
INTERCEPTIONS	INT	YARDS	TD	LONG
Waltrip, IOW	7	82	0	19
Brill, GR	6	89	0	34
Bird, SJ	6	41	0	22
Hilton, GEO	5	25	0	13
St. Johns, IOW	5	77	0	36
Kriner, MIL	5	122	0	52
Putman, COL	5	29	0	18
Harrelson, LA	5	82	0	40
Cushing, TB	5	85	1	44
Simon, CHI	4	7	0	5
Reinhart, DAL	4	38	0	19
Berger, NAS	4	36	0	15
Mills, NY	4	43	0	18
PUNTING	PUNT	AVG	BLK	RET	YDS	FC	TB	IN20	LONG	NET
Alonso, DET	27	46.1	1	10	118	1	9	8	72	35.1
Rhymer, SJ	38	43.8	0	18	180	4	8	6	61	34.9
Fletcher, ORL	40	43.7	1	18	159	7	7	10	58	36.3
Wynn, GEO	36	43.7	1	17	192	3	6	8	65	35.0
Tadwell, NY	40	43.6	0	21	192	5	5	8	56	35.3
Percell, ALB	43	43.4	0	20	182	5	12	4	59	33.6
Kalkman, TB	34	43.3	0	12	70	7	4	7	62	38.9
Butler, IOW	42	43.0	1	23	363	6	5	7	77	31.9
Wilcox, DAL	43	42.9	0	25	216	4	7	12	64	34.7
Burnett, CHI	32	42.8	3	15	104	6	4	6	61	37.1
KICK RETURNS	RET	YARDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Holman, COL	17	482	28.4	1	88
Naylor, GR	10	267	26.7	0	40
Keough, LA	26	680	26.2	2	97
Osler, NAS	35	870	24.9	0	65
Bull, GEO	25	618	24.7	1	98
Meads, ARI	19	462	24.3	0	63
Warden, ORL	40	968	24.2	0	52
Robustito, CHI	13	312	24.0	0	45
Goldberry, DAL	20	479	24.0	0	40
Clements, CHI	19	442	23.3	0	46
PUNT RETURNS	RET	YARDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Huntley, DET	10	170	17.0	0	75
Osler, NAS	11	157	14.3	0	53
Coggins, IOW	11	114	10.4	1	68
Bane, MIL	12	114	9.5	0	26
Crafton, GEO	11	100	9.1	0	37
Counce, SJ	12	101	8.4	0	21
Howell, COL	11	89	8.1	0	36
Vilmer, GR	13	98	7.5	0	20
TACKLES
Checkers, MIL	79
Carle, ALB	76
Tennison, ORL	67
Stonewall, ALB	65
Shipley, ARI	64
Josephs, TB	63
Clift, GR	63
Presley, DET	63
Quasar, ARI	63
Van Horne, NAS	62
Harpole, GR	62
June, LA	62
TOUCHDOWNS	TOTAL	RUSH	REC	RET
Kindrick, LA	10	6	4	0
Cage, MIL	9	0	8	1
Gregson, DAL	8	4	4	0
Sale, SJ	7	5	2	0
Crafton, GEO	6	1	5	0
Coggins, IOW	6	0	5	1
Osler, NAS	6	5	1	0
Taylor, TB	6	3	3	0
Clements, CHI	6	5	1	0
Margerum, CHI	5	0	5	0
Bonewell, GEO	5	0	5	0
O'Connell, IOW	5	0	5	0
Sidney, GEO	5	0	5	0
Adams, DET	5	4	1	0
Millstone, COL	5	4	1	0
Harrell, GR	5	2	3	0
Fowler, ALB	5	4	1	0
KICKING	FG	FGA	LONG	XP	XPA	PTS
Frayer, DET	16	21	54	22	23	70
Stevenson, NAS	18	24	53	16	16	70
Rhoads, IOW	15	24	53	24	24	69
Philbrook, MIL	16	22	49	19	19	67
Hall, DAL	16	21	53	18	19	66
Hamrick, NY	15	17	53	18	18	63
Ahmad, GEO	13	22	52	22	24	61
Justen, CHI	13	18	53	20	22	59
Wycoff, SJ	13	22	54	20	21	59
Quincey, TB	13	19	49	17	18	56