SAN JOSE-The San Jose Sabercats continue to control their own destiny in defeating the Arizona Rattlers, 26-7 in Week 13 of the AFL season.
The Sabercats began with a 4-play, 76-yard drive. Timmy Carey threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Ramon Counce to pit San Jose up 7-0 with 13:15 to go in the first quarter. The Rattlers drove into scoring position, only for Pancho Barrow to miss a 53-yard field goal. San Jose's ensuing drive was thwarted by Quincey Quasar's interception of a Carey pass at the Rattlers 11-yard line. But Don Fawcett was smothered for a pair of losses and the Sabercats got a safety to make it 9-0 with 3:49 to go in the first.
After the Sabercats fumbled at their own 40, Arizona had another chance to score, but Barrow missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. San Jose responded by starting the second quarter with a 5-play, 68-yard drive. A 39-yard gain on an option pass by Alan Sale to Turk Costigan set up a 9-yard touchdown from Carey to Costigan to extend the Sabercats lead to 16-0 with 12:30 left in the half. Arizona went on a 15-play, 69-yard drive, but were turned away on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The Sabercats would punt on their next drive, then Fawcett was intercepted by Rod Gaines at the San Jose 39-yard line. After another San Jose punt, Arizona would just run out the clock to go to halftime.
Following an Arizona three-and-out to start the third quarter, San Jose moved the ball 53 yards on 7 plays. Costigan finished the drive off with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Carey to make it 23-0 with 9:09 left in the third quarter. Both teams punted, but Emmit Quasar fumbled for the Rattlers and Jason Bull recovered for the Sabercats at the Rattlers 33-yard line. A sack knocked the Sabercats out of field goal range, and San Jose punted. Arizona then drove 80 yards on 6 plays. Stomp Navarro finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 23-7 with 14:11 left in the fourth quarter.
An onside kick attempt failed, and the Sabercats moved 17 yards on 5 plays. The drive ended with a 48-yard field goal by Ethan Wycoff to make it 26-7 with 10:50 left in the game. The Rattlers were turned away on fourth down again, and San Jose was content to run out the clock.
San Jose (9-4) gained 321 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 85 yards on 24 carries. Sale led the team with 53 yards on 14 carries. Carey was 21-of-27 passing for 242 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 45 yards. Costigan led the receivers with 7 catches for 113 yards and 2 TD. The Sabercats can clinch the Western Division if Colorado loses to Los Angeles. As for next week, the Sabercats will visit the Orlando Predators.
Arizona (3-10) gained 317 yards of total offense. The Rattlers gained 102 yards rushing on 23 carries. Melvin Jones led the team with 36 yards on 10 carries. Fawcett was 21-of-46 passing for 248 yards and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 33 yards. Will Meads was Arizona's leading receiver with 7 catches for 113 yards. Next week, the Rattlers will visit the Tampa Bay Storm.
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