WASHINGTON, DC-Derrick Todd threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes but it was not enough as the Washington Warthogs held off the Sacramento Knights 28-25 in Week 3 of the CIFL season.
Sacramento opened the game with a punt, then the Warthogs would drive 83 yards on 9 plays. Archie Colvin put an end to the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0 with 8:53 left in the first quarter. On the Knights' subsequent possession, Todd was picked off by Reston Hanna at the Warthogs' 41-yard line. But Marshall Graver fumbled and Nelson Task recovered for the Knights at their own 43. After a Sacramento punt, the Warthogs were on the move again, going 71 yards on 8 plays. Corliss Wardell scored on an 8-yard quarterback keeper to make it 14-0 with 26 seconds left in the first.
Punts dominated much of the second quarter, but late in the quarter Wardell was intercepted by Drew Bumpers at the Washington 38-yard line. Shane Sandlin missed a 49-yard field goal attempt with 42 seconds remaining in the half, and the teams went into the locker room with a 14-0 lead for the Warthogs.
Washington opened the second half with a 10-play, 57-yard drive. Saul St. Paul scored on a 3-yard reverse to make it 21-0 with 10:08 remaining in the third quarter. The Knights started a comeback attempt with a 5-play, 47-yard drive. Sandlin would end it with a 40-yard field goal to make it 21-3 with 6:40 left in the third. The Warthogs answered with an 8-play, 77-yard drive. Wardell finished it off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to St. Paul making it 28-3 with 2:32 left in the third quarter.
The Knights would punt, then Wardell was intercepted by Miller Lockner at the Washington 36-yard line. But Sacramento would get turned away on fourth down at the 19-yard line. Norvel Talie would have a punt blocked by Dolph Potts at the Washington 45-yard line. Seven plays later, Todd threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chet Quince. The 2-point conversion was good and the score was 28-11 with 5:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. The onside kick failed, and Washington moved into scoring position, but Stephan Hooper missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. Sacramento then drove 69 yards on 3 plays, and Todd fired an 18-yard touchdown pass to Vito Forbis to make it 28-18 with 1:49 remaining. After another failed onside kick, the Warthogs would punt. The Knights would drive 80 yards on 6 plays, and Todd threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Tibbs making it 28-25 with 1 second left. The Knights tried one more onside kick, but the Warthogs recovered to salt the game away.
Washington (1-2) gained 409 yards of total offense. The Warthogs ran for 197 yards on 38 carries. Marshall Graver led the team with 61 yards on 11 carries. Wardell went 22-of-25 passing with 242 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 30 yards. St. Paul (44 yards, TD) and Kevin Hanan (58 yards) each caught 5 passes. Next week, the Warthogs will visit the Anaheim Splash.
Sacramento (1-2) gained 373 yards of total offense. The Knights ran for 49 yards on 12 plays. Todd led the team with 32 yards on 6 carries. He went 24-of-43 passing for 368 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 44 yards. Tibbs (71 yards, TD) and Forrest Gottfried (87 yards) each caught five passes. The Knights will open their home schedule against the Seattle Seadogs next week.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
CIFL Week 2: Quick and Dirty Recaps and Standings
SEATTLE SEADOGS 36, ANAHEIM SPLASH 3
Butler Elliott kicked a 31-yard field goal after Virgil Hawthorne picked off Curtis Kesterson in the first play of the game. But Seattle ran away with the game after that. Roman Shoe gained 136 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the Seadogs (2-0) run away from Anaheim (1-1).
DETROIT NEON 26, WASHINGTON WARTHOGS 20
For the second week in a row, the Warthogs (0-2) needed a touchdown at the end of the game to win. But Archie Colvin ended up two yards short of the end zone as time ran out. Detroit (2-0) was led by Cooney Lehigh's three TD passes (23-of-35 for 325 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT), two of which were caught by Dete Troxel (8 REC, 107 yards, 2 TD).
SACRAMENTO KNIGHTS 28, MICHIGAN BOMBERS 23
Sacramento (1-1) came from being down 16-7 in the second quarter on three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 run) by Derrick Todd. Michigan (1-1) came back with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Gitch Tims to Dalls Kinburn but ultimately fell short of winning their home opener.
PORTLAND PRIDE 19, HOUSTON HOTSHOTS 17
Barney Brant (25-of-43, 235 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Richie Buckner with 44 seconds left and the Hotshots recovered an onside kick, but Brant was picked off by Josey McCain on the final play of the game as Houston's (0-2) comeback bid fell short to Portland (1-1). Kenny Boren ran for 56 yards and a TD, and Rex Doran caught 9 passes for 130 yards and a TD for the Pride.
STANDINGS
WEEK 2 SCORES (Home teams in ALL CAPS)
Butler Elliott kicked a 31-yard field goal after Virgil Hawthorne picked off Curtis Kesterson in the first play of the game. But Seattle ran away with the game after that. Roman Shoe gained 136 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the Seadogs (2-0) run away from Anaheim (1-1).
DETROIT NEON 26, WASHINGTON WARTHOGS 20
For the second week in a row, the Warthogs (0-2) needed a touchdown at the end of the game to win. But Archie Colvin ended up two yards short of the end zone as time ran out. Detroit (2-0) was led by Cooney Lehigh's three TD passes (23-of-35 for 325 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT), two of which were caught by Dete Troxel (8 REC, 107 yards, 2 TD).
SACRAMENTO KNIGHTS 28, MICHIGAN BOMBERS 23
Sacramento (1-1) came from being down 16-7 in the second quarter on three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 run) by Derrick Todd. Michigan (1-1) came back with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Gitch Tims to Dalls Kinburn but ultimately fell short of winning their home opener.
PORTLAND PRIDE 19, HOUSTON HOTSHOTS 17
Barney Brant (25-of-43, 235 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Richie Buckner with 44 seconds left and the Hotshots recovered an onside kick, but Brant was picked off by Josey McCain on the final play of the game as Houston's (0-2) comeback bid fell short to Portland (1-1). Kenny Boren ran for 56 yards and a TD, and Rex Doran caught 9 passes for 130 yards and a TD for the Pride.
STANDINGS
| EAST DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Detroit Neon | 2 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 40 |
| Michigan Bombers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 42 |
| Houston Hotshots | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 52 |
| Washington Warthogs | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 47 |
| WEST DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Seattle Seadogs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 6 |
| Anaheim Splash | 1 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 62 |
| Sacramento Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 56 |
| Portland Pride | 1 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 46 |
SEATTLE 36, Houston 3
Detroit 26, WASHINGTON 20
Sacramento 28, MICHIGAN 23
PORTLAND 19, Houston 17
WEEK 3 GAMES
Sacramento (1-1) at Washington (0-2) (Knights -4)
Sacramento (1-1) at Washington (0-2) (Knights -4)
Michigan (1-1) at Detroit (2-0) (Neon -10)
Seattle (2-0) at Houston (0-2) (Seadogs -13)
Anaheim (1-1) at Portland (1-1) (Pride -9)
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
CIFL Week 1 Standings
| EAST DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Michigan Bombers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 14 |
| Detroit Neon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 20 |
| Houston Hotshots | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 33 |
| Washington Warthogs | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| WEST DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Anaheim Splash | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 26 |
| Seattle Seadogs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| Sacramento Knights | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 33 |
| Portland Pride | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 29 |
| WEEK 1 (Home team in ALL CAPS) | |||||
| DETROIT 33, Sacramento 20 | |||||
| ANAHEIM 29, Portland 26 (OT) | |||||
| SEATTLE 33, Houston 3 | |||||
| Michigan 21, WASHINGTON 14 | |||||
| WEEK 2 | |||||
| Anaheim (1-0) at Seattle (1-0) (Seadogs -13) | |||||
| Detroit (1-0) at Washington (0-1) (Neon -7) | |||||
| Sacramento (0-1) at Michigan (1-0) (Bombers -8) | |||||
| Houston (0-1) at Portland (0-1) (Pride -11) | |||||
CIFL: Bombers Hold Off Warthogs, 21-14
WASHINGTON, DC-It came down to the last three seconds, but the Michigan Bombers held off the Washington Warthogs 21-14 in their opening CIFL game.
Both teams traded punts to start the game, and the Bombers drove into scoring position, but Orey Calhoun missed a 34-yard field goal attempt. Following another Washington punt, Michigan would go on a 9-play, 72-yard drive. Whitey Barnwell finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Bombers a 7-0 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Following another Warthogs punt, Orlan Kirby intercepted Gitch Tims and returned it 12 yards to the Bombers 37-yard line. After 8 plays gained 20 yards, Stephan Hooper kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 9:33 left in the second quarter. The Bombers would punt, but Scooter Womack fumbled and Jack Ebony recovered for Michigan at his own 19-yard line. The Bombers drove into scoring position, but Calhoun missed a 35-yard field goal. Norvel Talie of the Warthogs would have his punt blocked, and Webb Lyday returned it 12 yards to the Washington 3-yard line. On the next play, Jerreld Caudill scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-3 with 1:35 remaining in the half.
There was no scoring in the third quarter. After trading punts, Talie was blocked again at the Bombers 28-yard line. Calhoun would miss a 49-yard field goal attempt. Following a Washington punt, Tims was picked off by Elvis Fearson who returned it 15 yards to the Warthogs 21-yard line. After that, the Warthogs drove 79 yards on 8 plays. Corliss Wardell finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Archie Colvin. The 2-point conversion was successful to make the score 14-11 with 13:01 to go in the fourth quarter.
Calhoun would miss a 43-yard field goal attempt, and Washington moved again, going 58 yards on 9 plays. Hooper kicked a 26-yard field goal with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 14. The Bombers then went on a 6-play, 74-yard drive. Tims finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bernest Noon to give Michigan a 21-14 lead with 2:06 left in the fourth. The Warthogs started their next drive at their own 25, and drove to the Bombers 17-yard line facing a fourth-and-10 with 3 seconds left. Wardell threw a pass to Saul St. Paul in the end zone, but it was broken up incomplete.
Michigan (1-0) gained 419 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 130 yards on 23 carries. Barnwell led the team with 59 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Tims was 24-of-40 passing for 306 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Kirk Norman (76 yards) and Oneal Little (64 yards) each caught 5 passes in the game. The Bombers open their home schedule against the Sacramento Knights next week.
Washington (0-1) gained 341 yards of total offense. The Warthogs ran for 85 yards on 23 carries. Marshall Graver led the team with 46 yards on 9 carries. Wardell went 22-of-48 passing for 265 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Colvin was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 101 yards and a TD. The Warthogs host the Detroit Neon next week.
Both teams traded punts to start the game, and the Bombers drove into scoring position, but Orey Calhoun missed a 34-yard field goal attempt. Following another Washington punt, Michigan would go on a 9-play, 72-yard drive. Whitey Barnwell finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Bombers a 7-0 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Following another Warthogs punt, Orlan Kirby intercepted Gitch Tims and returned it 12 yards to the Bombers 37-yard line. After 8 plays gained 20 yards, Stephan Hooper kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 9:33 left in the second quarter. The Bombers would punt, but Scooter Womack fumbled and Jack Ebony recovered for Michigan at his own 19-yard line. The Bombers drove into scoring position, but Calhoun missed a 35-yard field goal. Norvel Talie of the Warthogs would have his punt blocked, and Webb Lyday returned it 12 yards to the Washington 3-yard line. On the next play, Jerreld Caudill scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-3 with 1:35 remaining in the half.
There was no scoring in the third quarter. After trading punts, Talie was blocked again at the Bombers 28-yard line. Calhoun would miss a 49-yard field goal attempt. Following a Washington punt, Tims was picked off by Elvis Fearson who returned it 15 yards to the Warthogs 21-yard line. After that, the Warthogs drove 79 yards on 8 plays. Corliss Wardell finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Archie Colvin. The 2-point conversion was successful to make the score 14-11 with 13:01 to go in the fourth quarter.
Calhoun would miss a 43-yard field goal attempt, and Washington moved again, going 58 yards on 9 plays. Hooper kicked a 26-yard field goal with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 14. The Bombers then went on a 6-play, 74-yard drive. Tims finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bernest Noon to give Michigan a 21-14 lead with 2:06 left in the fourth. The Warthogs started their next drive at their own 25, and drove to the Bombers 17-yard line facing a fourth-and-10 with 3 seconds left. Wardell threw a pass to Saul St. Paul in the end zone, but it was broken up incomplete.
Michigan (1-0) gained 419 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 130 yards on 23 carries. Barnwell led the team with 59 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Tims was 24-of-40 passing for 306 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Kirk Norman (76 yards) and Oneal Little (64 yards) each caught 5 passes in the game. The Bombers open their home schedule against the Sacramento Knights next week.
Washington (0-1) gained 341 yards of total offense. The Warthogs ran for 85 yards on 23 carries. Marshall Graver led the team with 46 yards on 9 carries. Wardell went 22-of-48 passing for 265 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Colvin was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 101 yards and a TD. The Warthogs host the Detroit Neon next week.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
CIFL: Seadogs Blowout Hotshots, 33-3
SEATTLE-The Houston Hotshots fumbled the opening kickoff and went down from there as they fell to the Seattle Seadogs 33-3 in their opening CIFL contest.
Wallace Hinshaw fielded the opening kickoff and returned it 27 yards but fumbled, and Dwayne Crowson recovered for the Seadogs at the Houston 46-yard line. Six plays later, Curtis Kesterson threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Eldron Calloway to give Seattle a 7-0 lead with 12:01 to go in the first quarter. After trading punts, Barney Brant was intercepted by Ranse Noland at the Hotshots 29-yard line. After three plays netted two yards, Tyne Dill kicked a 44-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 5:27 to go in the first.
Houston would punt again, and the Seadogs marched down the field on a 12-play, 86-yard drive. Roman Shoe finished it off with a 9-yard touchdown catch from Kesterson to make it 17-0 with 11:38 left in the second quarter. Gus Wicker took the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Seattle 43-yard line, but Brant was picked off by Noland again at the 20-yard line. Shoe would finish off the 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, and the Seadogs led 23-0 with 5:01 left in the half. The teams would trade punts, but the Hotshots caught their one break when Norris Kettler picked off Kesterson and returned it 18 yards to the Seadogs 27-yard line. After gaining 12 yards on 2 plays, Martin Seal kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining to make it 23-3 at the half.
Not much of note happened in the second half. The teams would trade punts through much of the third quarter, and Brant would get picked off by Scott Checkers who took it 24 yards to the Houston 7-yard line. Two plays later, Kesterson hit Chili Jerris for a 7-yard touchdown pass to make it 30-3 with 2:56 to go in the third quarter. Following another exchange of punts, the Seadogs moved 41 yards on 6 plays. Dill ended the drive with a 40-yard field goal to make it 33-3 with 4:58 left in the game.
Seattle (1-0) gained 337 yards of total offense. The Seadogs ran for 157 yards on 34 carries. Shoe led the team with 74 yards on 17 carries and a TD. Kesterson went 26-of-37 passing for 210 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 30 yards. Trent Dillon led the receivers with 10 catches for 56 yards. The Seadogs will host the Anaheim Splash next week.
Houston (0-1) gained 194 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran just 8 times for 36 yards. Brant ran for 24 yards on 2 carries. He was 22-of-46 passing for 175 yards and 3 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Lovell Pyle led the receivers with 7 catches for 60 yards. The Hotshots go on the road next week to play the Portland Pride.
Wallace Hinshaw fielded the opening kickoff and returned it 27 yards but fumbled, and Dwayne Crowson recovered for the Seadogs at the Houston 46-yard line. Six plays later, Curtis Kesterson threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Eldron Calloway to give Seattle a 7-0 lead with 12:01 to go in the first quarter. After trading punts, Barney Brant was intercepted by Ranse Noland at the Hotshots 29-yard line. After three plays netted two yards, Tyne Dill kicked a 44-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 5:27 to go in the first.
Houston would punt again, and the Seadogs marched down the field on a 12-play, 86-yard drive. Roman Shoe finished it off with a 9-yard touchdown catch from Kesterson to make it 17-0 with 11:38 left in the second quarter. Gus Wicker took the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Seattle 43-yard line, but Brant was picked off by Noland again at the 20-yard line. Shoe would finish off the 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, and the Seadogs led 23-0 with 5:01 left in the half. The teams would trade punts, but the Hotshots caught their one break when Norris Kettler picked off Kesterson and returned it 18 yards to the Seadogs 27-yard line. After gaining 12 yards on 2 plays, Martin Seal kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining to make it 23-3 at the half.
Not much of note happened in the second half. The teams would trade punts through much of the third quarter, and Brant would get picked off by Scott Checkers who took it 24 yards to the Houston 7-yard line. Two plays later, Kesterson hit Chili Jerris for a 7-yard touchdown pass to make it 30-3 with 2:56 to go in the third quarter. Following another exchange of punts, the Seadogs moved 41 yards on 6 plays. Dill ended the drive with a 40-yard field goal to make it 33-3 with 4:58 left in the game.
Seattle (1-0) gained 337 yards of total offense. The Seadogs ran for 157 yards on 34 carries. Shoe led the team with 74 yards on 17 carries and a TD. Kesterson went 26-of-37 passing for 210 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 30 yards. Trent Dillon led the receivers with 10 catches for 56 yards. The Seadogs will host the Anaheim Splash next week.
Houston (0-1) gained 194 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran just 8 times for 36 yards. Brant ran for 24 yards on 2 carries. He was 22-of-46 passing for 175 yards and 3 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Lovell Pyle led the receivers with 7 catches for 60 yards. The Hotshots go on the road next week to play the Portland Pride.
Monday, February 20, 2017
CIFL: Anaheim Defeats Portland in OT, 29-26
ANAHEIM-Reuben Findley threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Anaheim Splash defeated the Portland Pride in overtime 29-26 in an opening CIFL contest.
The Splash went three-and-out, and the punt went out of bounds at the Portland 1-yard line. The Pride would go three-and-out, but William Pegg's punt was blocked and went out of the end zone for a safety to put Anaheim up 2-0 with 12:25 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams traded punts, and Kaleo Hendricks returned Pegg's punt 59 yards to the Portland 19-yard line. Four plays later, Harlan Finnegan completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Benny Gee to make it 9-0 with 6:42 to go in the first. The Pride would punt again, but then Finnegan would get picked off by Saul Symons who returned it 11 yards to the Anaheim 25-yard line. On the next play, Findley threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Van Horne to make it 9-7 with 4:45 to go in the first quarter.
After trading punts again, the Pride would go on a 13-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 51-yard field goal by Theodis Durkin to put Portland ahead 10-9 with 7:34 to go in the second quarter. The Splash would answer with a 15-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Butler Elliott kicking a 20-yard field goal to pull Anaheim ahead 12-10 with 1:36 left in the half. Durkin would miss a 42-yard field goal attempt late in the half, and the teams then went to the locker room for halftime.
Both teams would punt at the start of the second half. Then Portland punted again, but Pegg was blocked again, and Bat Roe recovered for the Splash at the Pride 16-yard line. Three plays later, Finnegan scrambled 16 yards for a touchdown to make it 19-10 with 8:05 to go in the third quarter. The Pride would punt again, but Symons would pick Finnegan off again at the Anaheim 45-yard line. But Portland would go three-and-out again, and the punt went into the end zone for a touchback.
Following the punt, Anaheim would drive 80 yards on 10 plays, and Finnegan completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Worsham to make it 26-10 with 11:03 left in the fourth quarter. Portland would come back with an 11-play, 80-yard drive ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Findley to Len Strickland. A successful 2-point conversion made it 26-18 with 7:53 left in the fourth. After a Splash punt was downed at the Portland 3-yard line, the Pride would then march 97 yards on 7 plays. Findley fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Pick and the 2-point conversion was good again to tie the game at 26 with 1:46 to go in regulation. After an Anaheim punt, Portland tried to drive for another score, but Virgil Hawthorne picked Findley off at the Anaheim 39-yard line. Finnegan threw deep and Jasper Idle picked him off at the Portland 31-yard line to set up the overtime period.
In the extra session, the Pride were forced to punt, and Hendricks returned the kick 23 yards to the Pride 29-yard line. After five plays gained 25 yards, Elliott kicked a 21-yard field goal with 10:08 to go in overtime to give Anaheim the win.
Anaheim (1-0) gained 287 yards of total offense. The Splash ran for 136 yards on 29 carries. Brett Fusco led the team with 73 yards on 14 carries. He also led the receivers with 7 catches for 34 yards. Finnegan went 19-of-41 passing for 162 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 11 yards. Next week, the Splash will visit the Seattle Seadogs.
Portland (0-1) gained 394 yards of total offense. The Pride were held to 30 yards rushing on 24 carries. Kenny Boren was held to 13 yards on 17 carries. Findley was 27-of-42 passing for 383 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards. Rex Doran was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 55 yards. The Pride will host the Houston Hotshots next week.
Special note: RIP Mike Ilitch (owner of the Red Wings and Tigers, and owned the Detroit Drive from 1988-1993).
The Splash went three-and-out, and the punt went out of bounds at the Portland 1-yard line. The Pride would go three-and-out, but William Pegg's punt was blocked and went out of the end zone for a safety to put Anaheim up 2-0 with 12:25 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams traded punts, and Kaleo Hendricks returned Pegg's punt 59 yards to the Portland 19-yard line. Four plays later, Harlan Finnegan completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Benny Gee to make it 9-0 with 6:42 to go in the first. The Pride would punt again, but then Finnegan would get picked off by Saul Symons who returned it 11 yards to the Anaheim 25-yard line. On the next play, Findley threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Van Horne to make it 9-7 with 4:45 to go in the first quarter.
After trading punts again, the Pride would go on a 13-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 51-yard field goal by Theodis Durkin to put Portland ahead 10-9 with 7:34 to go in the second quarter. The Splash would answer with a 15-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Butler Elliott kicking a 20-yard field goal to pull Anaheim ahead 12-10 with 1:36 left in the half. Durkin would miss a 42-yard field goal attempt late in the half, and the teams then went to the locker room for halftime.
Both teams would punt at the start of the second half. Then Portland punted again, but Pegg was blocked again, and Bat Roe recovered for the Splash at the Pride 16-yard line. Three plays later, Finnegan scrambled 16 yards for a touchdown to make it 19-10 with 8:05 to go in the third quarter. The Pride would punt again, but Symons would pick Finnegan off again at the Anaheim 45-yard line. But Portland would go three-and-out again, and the punt went into the end zone for a touchback.
Following the punt, Anaheim would drive 80 yards on 10 plays, and Finnegan completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Worsham to make it 26-10 with 11:03 left in the fourth quarter. Portland would come back with an 11-play, 80-yard drive ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Findley to Len Strickland. A successful 2-point conversion made it 26-18 with 7:53 left in the fourth. After a Splash punt was downed at the Portland 3-yard line, the Pride would then march 97 yards on 7 plays. Findley fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Pick and the 2-point conversion was good again to tie the game at 26 with 1:46 to go in regulation. After an Anaheim punt, Portland tried to drive for another score, but Virgil Hawthorne picked Findley off at the Anaheim 39-yard line. Finnegan threw deep and Jasper Idle picked him off at the Portland 31-yard line to set up the overtime period.
In the extra session, the Pride were forced to punt, and Hendricks returned the kick 23 yards to the Pride 29-yard line. After five plays gained 25 yards, Elliott kicked a 21-yard field goal with 10:08 to go in overtime to give Anaheim the win.
Anaheim (1-0) gained 287 yards of total offense. The Splash ran for 136 yards on 29 carries. Brett Fusco led the team with 73 yards on 14 carries. He also led the receivers with 7 catches for 34 yards. Finnegan went 19-of-41 passing for 162 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 11 yards. Next week, the Splash will visit the Seattle Seadogs.
Portland (0-1) gained 394 yards of total offense. The Pride were held to 30 yards rushing on 24 carries. Kenny Boren was held to 13 yards on 17 carries. Findley was 27-of-42 passing for 383 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards. Rex Doran was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 55 yards. The Pride will host the Houston Hotshots next week.
Special note: RIP Mike Ilitch (owner of the Red Wings and Tigers, and owned the Detroit Drive from 1988-1993).
Sunday, February 19, 2017
CIFL: Neon Defeat Knights, 33-20
AUBURN HILLS, MI-The Detroit Neon opened up the CIFL schedule with a 33-20 victory over the Sacramento Knights.
The Knights opened the game with a three-and-out, then the Neon went on a 9-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard field goal by DJ Pilgrim to take a 3-0 lead with 9:42 to go in the first quarter. Following another Sacramento punt, Detroit went 35 yards on 9 plays. Pilgrim kicked another field goal, this one from 34 yards out, to go up 6-0 with 3:59 left in the first. Sacramento punted again, but Drew Bumpers would sack Cooney Lehigh in the end zone for a safety to make it 6-2 with 54 seconds remaining in the first quarter. After the safety kick, Derrick Todd of the Knights was picked off by Eugene Strand who sprinted 9 yards for a touchdown to give the Neon a 13-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Knights would make a run in the second quarter. After the pick-six, they moved 44 yards on 9 plays, and Shane Sandlin kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 13-5 with 11:55 left in the half. After trading punts, Sacramento found themselves at their own 4-yard line. Todd finished a 6-play, 96-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Forrest Gottfried. Sacramento failed on a 2-point conversion and were down 13-11 with 3:30 remaining in the second quarter. Lehigh threw a long pass on Detroit's ensuing possession and was picked off by Cleveland Newby who took off 68 yards to the Neon 8-yard line. Two plays later, Brett Gold scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Knights an 18-13 lead with 2:53 left in the half.
The Neon opened the second half with an 8-play, 87-yard drive. The Neon scored on a 14-yard reverse by Leonard Echols. Detroit missed their 2-point conversion attempt, and the score was 19-18 in favor of Detroit with 10:54 left in the third quarter. After trading punts, Echols returned a punt 32 yards to the Sacramento 44-yard line. The six-play, 44-yard drive ended with Lehigh scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 26-18 with 1:45 left in the third.
The Knights punted early in the fourth, and the ball was downed at the Neon 2-yard line. Lehigh would get sacked in the end zone by Vernon Tobias and the score was 26-20 with 12:43 left in the fourth quarter. After a Sacramento punt, the Neon drove 65 yards on 8 plays. Lehigh finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Enrique Covey to make it 33-20 with 6 minutes left in the game.
Detroit (1-0) gained 323 yards of total offense. The Neon ran for 84 yards on 25 carries. Denver Smits led the team with 41 yards on 7 carries. Lehigh went 21-of-32 passing for 275 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 36 yards. Covey (47 yards, TD) and Dete Troxel (74 yards) each caught five passes. The Neon will visit the Washington Warthogs next week.
Sacramento (0-1) gained 301 yards of total offense. The Knights ran for 72 yards on 21 carries. Gold lead the team with 47 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Todd went 19-of-39 passing for 260 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 31 yards. Gottfired led the receivers with 5 catches for 112 yards and a TD. The Knights will visit the Michigan Bombers next week.
The Knights opened the game with a three-and-out, then the Neon went on a 9-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard field goal by DJ Pilgrim to take a 3-0 lead with 9:42 to go in the first quarter. Following another Sacramento punt, Detroit went 35 yards on 9 plays. Pilgrim kicked another field goal, this one from 34 yards out, to go up 6-0 with 3:59 left in the first. Sacramento punted again, but Drew Bumpers would sack Cooney Lehigh in the end zone for a safety to make it 6-2 with 54 seconds remaining in the first quarter. After the safety kick, Derrick Todd of the Knights was picked off by Eugene Strand who sprinted 9 yards for a touchdown to give the Neon a 13-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Knights would make a run in the second quarter. After the pick-six, they moved 44 yards on 9 plays, and Shane Sandlin kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 13-5 with 11:55 left in the half. After trading punts, Sacramento found themselves at their own 4-yard line. Todd finished a 6-play, 96-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Forrest Gottfried. Sacramento failed on a 2-point conversion and were down 13-11 with 3:30 remaining in the second quarter. Lehigh threw a long pass on Detroit's ensuing possession and was picked off by Cleveland Newby who took off 68 yards to the Neon 8-yard line. Two plays later, Brett Gold scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Knights an 18-13 lead with 2:53 left in the half.
The Neon opened the second half with an 8-play, 87-yard drive. The Neon scored on a 14-yard reverse by Leonard Echols. Detroit missed their 2-point conversion attempt, and the score was 19-18 in favor of Detroit with 10:54 left in the third quarter. After trading punts, Echols returned a punt 32 yards to the Sacramento 44-yard line. The six-play, 44-yard drive ended with Lehigh scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 26-18 with 1:45 left in the third.
The Knights punted early in the fourth, and the ball was downed at the Neon 2-yard line. Lehigh would get sacked in the end zone by Vernon Tobias and the score was 26-20 with 12:43 left in the fourth quarter. After a Sacramento punt, the Neon drove 65 yards on 8 plays. Lehigh finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Enrique Covey to make it 33-20 with 6 minutes left in the game.
Detroit (1-0) gained 323 yards of total offense. The Neon ran for 84 yards on 25 carries. Denver Smits led the team with 41 yards on 7 carries. Lehigh went 21-of-32 passing for 275 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 36 yards. Covey (47 yards, TD) and Dete Troxel (74 yards) each caught five passes. The Neon will visit the Washington Warthogs next week.
Sacramento (0-1) gained 301 yards of total offense. The Knights ran for 72 yards on 21 carries. Gold lead the team with 47 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Todd went 19-of-39 passing for 260 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 31 yards. Gottfired led the receivers with 5 catches for 112 yards and a TD. The Knights will visit the Michigan Bombers next week.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Arena Bowl: Detroit Beats Dallas 24-14, Claims Championship
DALLAS-The Detroit Drive defense intercepted Heinie Voorhees five times and defeated the Dallas Desperados 24-14 to claim the AFL Arena Bowl Championship.
Detroit began the game with a 6-play, 77-yard drive. Lou Couch completed the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dave Huntley to take a 7-0 lead with 11:57 left in the first quarter. Dallas would answer going 69 yards on 3 plays. Voorhees finished it off with a 52-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes tying the game at 7 with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter. On the next Detroit possession, the Drive moved into scoring range, but Cletis Frayer missed a 47-yard field goal attempt.
Both teams traded punts, and at the start of the second quarter, Couch was knocked out with an injury. Indiana Thornley came in for Couch, and led a 12-play, 66-yard drive. Frayer would kick a 21-yard field goal to give Detroit a 10-7 lead with 9:19 remaining in the second. The Desperados were thwarted by an interception by T.T. Presley at the Drive 39-yard line. Detroit went three-and-out, and the Desperados went 77 yards on 9 plays. Voorhees completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Indiana Falcinelli to take a 14-10 lead with 1:48 left in the half. The Drive would answer by moving the ball 67 yards on 8 plays. Thornley threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Patch Brolie with 8 seconds to go in the half to give Detroit a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Stan Florin picked Voorhees off at the Desperados 44-yard line. Four plays later, Thornley threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Vern Kelly to make it 24-14 with 11:56 left in the third. From there, the Detroit defense would shut down the Dallas offense. Florin would pick off Voorhees at the Detroit 45-yard line. Frayer would have a 24-yard field goal attempt blocked by Indiana Forrester and returned it 14 yards to the Desperados 31-yard line. Early in the fourth, Jamie Whirley picked off Voorhees and returned it 37 yards to the Dallas 24-yard line. Thornley was picked off by Daniel Calkin at the 4-yard line. After trading punts, McKinley Beaumont picked off Voorhees for the fifth and final time at the Detroit 46-yard line with 37 seconds left in the game to seal the championship.
Detroit gained 421 yards of total offense. The Drive gained 163 yards rushing on 36 carries. Rocky Adams led the team with 65 yards on 9 carries. Couch was 7-of-8 passing for 76 yards and a TD, and was sacked once for a 1-yard loss. Thornley went 16-of-26 passing for 209 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 26 yards. Kelly led the receivers with 8 catches for 123 yards and a TD.
Dallas gained 348 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 60 yards on 14 carries. Elson Gregson led the team with 31 yards on 6 carries. Voorhees went 21-of-40 passing for 297 yards, 2 TD and 5 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 9 yards. Hawes led the receivers with 7 catches for 110 yards and a TD.
NOTE: With this result, the AFL's inaugural season is officially in the books. So now, we will move forward with another UFL-based football league. This one will be the Continental Independent Football League (CIFL). The league is based on the Continental Indoor Soccer League, a summer indoor soccer league that lasted five seasons (1993-97). It is an eight-team league featuring seven CISL teams and a team based in the fictional town of Charlestown, Michigan. The Divisional alignment is as follows:
Eastern Division: Detroit Neon, Houston Hotshots, Michigan Bombers*, Washington Warthogs.
Western Division: Anaheim Splash, Portland Pride, Sacramento Knights, Seattle Seadogs.
The first game will be the Sacramento Knights at Detroit Neon.
Detroit began the game with a 6-play, 77-yard drive. Lou Couch completed the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dave Huntley to take a 7-0 lead with 11:57 left in the first quarter. Dallas would answer going 69 yards on 3 plays. Voorhees finished it off with a 52-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes tying the game at 7 with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter. On the next Detroit possession, the Drive moved into scoring range, but Cletis Frayer missed a 47-yard field goal attempt.
Both teams traded punts, and at the start of the second quarter, Couch was knocked out with an injury. Indiana Thornley came in for Couch, and led a 12-play, 66-yard drive. Frayer would kick a 21-yard field goal to give Detroit a 10-7 lead with 9:19 remaining in the second. The Desperados were thwarted by an interception by T.T. Presley at the Drive 39-yard line. Detroit went three-and-out, and the Desperados went 77 yards on 9 plays. Voorhees completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Indiana Falcinelli to take a 14-10 lead with 1:48 left in the half. The Drive would answer by moving the ball 67 yards on 8 plays. Thornley threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Patch Brolie with 8 seconds to go in the half to give Detroit a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Stan Florin picked Voorhees off at the Desperados 44-yard line. Four plays later, Thornley threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Vern Kelly to make it 24-14 with 11:56 left in the third. From there, the Detroit defense would shut down the Dallas offense. Florin would pick off Voorhees at the Detroit 45-yard line. Frayer would have a 24-yard field goal attempt blocked by Indiana Forrester and returned it 14 yards to the Desperados 31-yard line. Early in the fourth, Jamie Whirley picked off Voorhees and returned it 37 yards to the Dallas 24-yard line. Thornley was picked off by Daniel Calkin at the 4-yard line. After trading punts, McKinley Beaumont picked off Voorhees for the fifth and final time at the Detroit 46-yard line with 37 seconds left in the game to seal the championship.
Detroit gained 421 yards of total offense. The Drive gained 163 yards rushing on 36 carries. Rocky Adams led the team with 65 yards on 9 carries. Couch was 7-of-8 passing for 76 yards and a TD, and was sacked once for a 1-yard loss. Thornley went 16-of-26 passing for 209 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 26 yards. Kelly led the receivers with 8 catches for 123 yards and a TD.
Dallas gained 348 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 60 yards on 14 carries. Elson Gregson led the team with 31 yards on 6 carries. Voorhees went 21-of-40 passing for 297 yards, 2 TD and 5 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 9 yards. Hawes led the receivers with 7 catches for 110 yards and a TD.
NOTE: With this result, the AFL's inaugural season is officially in the books. So now, we will move forward with another UFL-based football league. This one will be the Continental Independent Football League (CIFL). The league is based on the Continental Indoor Soccer League, a summer indoor soccer league that lasted five seasons (1993-97). It is an eight-team league featuring seven CISL teams and a team based in the fictional town of Charlestown, Michigan. The Divisional alignment is as follows:
Eastern Division: Detroit Neon, Houston Hotshots, Michigan Bombers*, Washington Warthogs.
Western Division: Anaheim Splash, Portland Pride, Sacramento Knights, Seattle Seadogs.
The first game will be the Sacramento Knights at Detroit Neon.
Friday, February 17, 2017
AFL Playoffs: Dallas Beats San Jose, 27-19
DALLAS-Elson Gregson cemented his status as AFL MVP with three touchdowns in leading the Dallas Desperados to the American Conference championship over the San Jose Sabercats 27-19.
The Game began with Horace Evers fielding a short San Jose kickoff and returning it 27 yards to midfield. But the Desperados went three-and-out and Arman Wilcox's punt was downed at the Sabercats 2-yard line. San Jose then moved the ball 93 yards on 7 plays, and Ethan Wycoff kicked a 22-yard field goal to put San Jose up 3-0 with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter. Dallas would then turn the ball over as Heinie Voorhees was picked off by Rod Gaines at the Desperados 40-yard line. Following a three-play, nine-yard drive, Wycoff kicked a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead to 6-0 with 6:43 remaining in the first. Dallas would then respond with a 9-play, 80-yard drive ending with a 4-yard touchdown run by Gregson to take a 7-6 lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter.
San Jose would answer back with a 7-play, 67-yard drive. Alan Sale ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to take a 13-7 lead with 14:18 to go in the second quarter. Both teams punted, and Abdul Hanna would take the ball 70 yards to the Sabercats 3-yard line. On the following play, Voorhees hit Gregson for a 3-yard touchdown pass to give Dallas a 14-13 lead with 11:26 remaining in the half. San Jose drove into scoring range, but Wycoff's 48-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and missed. The Desperados then drove 31 yards on 7 plays, and Greg Hall would kick a 48-yard field goal to take a 17-13 lead with 5:02 to go in the second quarter.
San Jose got the ball to start the second half, and looked to take the lead, but Timmy Carey was intercepted by Golden Reinhart who returned it 13 yards to the Dallas 14-yard line. The Desperados would punt, then the Sabercats would go on a 9-play, 40-yard drive. Wycoff would end the drive with a 24-yard field goal to make it 17-16 with 5:56 to go in the third quarter. After a 44-yard kickoff return by Whitey Goldberry, Dallas went on a 12-play, 46-yard drive ending with a 19-yard field goal by Hall to make it 20-16 with 1:25 to go in the third.
San Jose would punt early in the fourth, then Dallas drove for another score. But Hall would miss a 49-yard field goal attempt. San Jose then attempted to drive for a touchdown, but Carey was picked off in the end zone by Stanley Flint. The Desperados then drove 80 yards on 16 plays. Gregson ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 27-16 with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter. The Sabercats fielded a short kickoff, and drove 35 yards on 7 plays. Wycoff kicked a 30-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to make it 27-19. San Jose then attempted an onside kick, but it failed and Dallas punched their ticket to the Arena Bowl.
Dallas gained 304 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 105 yards on 28 carries. Gregson led the team with 54 yards on 14 carries and 2 TD. He also caught 5 passes for 37 yards and a TD. Voorhees went 21-of-36 passing for 205 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. J.J. Hawes caught 5 passes for 68 yards. The Desperados will now face the Detroit Drive for the Arena Bowl championship. Dallas defeated Detroit in their previous meeting in Week 6 by a score of 28-27.
San Jose gained 390 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 72 yards on 20 carries. Sale led the team with 30 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Carey went 24-of-36 passing for 327 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Turk Costigan was San Jose's leading receiver with 7 catches for 119 yards.
The Game began with Horace Evers fielding a short San Jose kickoff and returning it 27 yards to midfield. But the Desperados went three-and-out and Arman Wilcox's punt was downed at the Sabercats 2-yard line. San Jose then moved the ball 93 yards on 7 plays, and Ethan Wycoff kicked a 22-yard field goal to put San Jose up 3-0 with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter. Dallas would then turn the ball over as Heinie Voorhees was picked off by Rod Gaines at the Desperados 40-yard line. Following a three-play, nine-yard drive, Wycoff kicked a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead to 6-0 with 6:43 remaining in the first. Dallas would then respond with a 9-play, 80-yard drive ending with a 4-yard touchdown run by Gregson to take a 7-6 lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter.
San Jose would answer back with a 7-play, 67-yard drive. Alan Sale ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to take a 13-7 lead with 14:18 to go in the second quarter. Both teams punted, and Abdul Hanna would take the ball 70 yards to the Sabercats 3-yard line. On the following play, Voorhees hit Gregson for a 3-yard touchdown pass to give Dallas a 14-13 lead with 11:26 remaining in the half. San Jose drove into scoring range, but Wycoff's 48-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and missed. The Desperados then drove 31 yards on 7 plays, and Greg Hall would kick a 48-yard field goal to take a 17-13 lead with 5:02 to go in the second quarter.
San Jose got the ball to start the second half, and looked to take the lead, but Timmy Carey was intercepted by Golden Reinhart who returned it 13 yards to the Dallas 14-yard line. The Desperados would punt, then the Sabercats would go on a 9-play, 40-yard drive. Wycoff would end the drive with a 24-yard field goal to make it 17-16 with 5:56 to go in the third quarter. After a 44-yard kickoff return by Whitey Goldberry, Dallas went on a 12-play, 46-yard drive ending with a 19-yard field goal by Hall to make it 20-16 with 1:25 to go in the third.
San Jose would punt early in the fourth, then Dallas drove for another score. But Hall would miss a 49-yard field goal attempt. San Jose then attempted to drive for a touchdown, but Carey was picked off in the end zone by Stanley Flint. The Desperados then drove 80 yards on 16 plays. Gregson ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 27-16 with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter. The Sabercats fielded a short kickoff, and drove 35 yards on 7 plays. Wycoff kicked a 30-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to make it 27-19. San Jose then attempted an onside kick, but it failed and Dallas punched their ticket to the Arena Bowl.
Dallas gained 304 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 105 yards on 28 carries. Gregson led the team with 54 yards on 14 carries and 2 TD. He also caught 5 passes for 37 yards and a TD. Voorhees went 21-of-36 passing for 205 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. J.J. Hawes caught 5 passes for 68 yards. The Desperados will now face the Detroit Drive for the Arena Bowl championship. Dallas defeated Detroit in their previous meeting in Week 6 by a score of 28-27.
San Jose gained 390 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 72 yards on 20 carries. Sale led the team with 30 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Carey went 24-of-36 passing for 327 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. Turk Costigan was San Jose's leading receiver with 7 catches for 119 yards.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
AFL Playoffs: Detroit Gets Past Georgia, 34-28
DETROIT-The Georgia Force heard it all week.
They heard all week how they were backing into the AFL playoffs and the Detroit Drive would blow them out of the water when they met in the National Conference playoff. But Georgia gave Detroit all they could handle, and the Drive pulled out a 34-28 win by the skin of their teeth.
Both teams punted to start the game, but Dave Huntley returned the Georgia punt 38 yards to the Force 28-yard line. Four plays later, Rocky Adams scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to put Detroit up 7-0 with 9:35 to go in the first quarter. The Force would answer back with a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Norm Damron finished it off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Paden Bonewell to tie the game at 7 with 4:05 remaining in the first. Detroit responded by going 70 yards on 7 plays. Adams would score again on a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 with a minute to go in the first quarter.
After a Georgia punt early in the second quarter, Detroit drove 83 yards on 5 plays, the final 57 coming on a touchdown run by Lovell Denson to give the Drive a 21-7 lead with 11:33 left in the half. The Force would punt again, and Detroit went on a 6-play, 38-yard drive ending with a 20-yard field goal by Cletis Frayer to make it 24-7 with 8:23 left in the second quarter. Bo Bull took the ensuing kickoff for Georgia and returned it 53 yards to the Detroit 31-yard line. After seven plays netted 20 yards, Wilbur Ahmad would kick a 28-yard field goal making it 24-10 with 5:56 left in the half. The Drive would punt, and Georgia drove into position for a 39-yard field goal. But a botched snap turned into a fake, and Yannel Gansz's intended pass for Ahmad fell incomplete. Detroit attempted to put some more distance between them and Georgia at the half, but Vern Kelly fumbled at the Georgia 14-yard line, and Tyrone Pickney recovered for the Force.
Georgia began the second half with possession, and drove 52 yards on 5 plays. Ahmad ended the drive with a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-13 with 12:26 to go in the third quarter. After a Detroit punt, the Force appeared primed to score again, but Stan Florin would pick off Damron at the Drive 36-yard line. Lou Couch would end the 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to put Detroit up 31-13 with 1:16 to go in the third.
After trading punts, the Force would drive 80 yards on 3 plays. A 68-yard pass from Damron to Gevan Crafton would set up a 12-yard touchdown from Damron to Crafton, and the 2-Point Conversion made it 31-21 with 9:36 left in the fourth quarter. The Force attempted an onside kick, but failed to recover. Detroit would then move 34 yards on 9 plays, and Frayer would kick a 25-yard field goal to make it 34-21 with 4:23 to go in the fourth. On the ensuing kickoff, Bonewell fielded the ball at the Georgia 1-yard line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 34-28 with 4:08 remaining in the game. After a Detroit punt, Georgia found themselves at their own 18-yard line with 1:13 remaining in the game. The Force managed to reach the Drive 14-yard line with 9 seconds left, but Damron was sacked by T.T. Presley and fumbled at the 24. Prince David recovered for the Force and ran to the 17 but was stopped and the clock ran out.
Detroit gained 446 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 157 yards on 32 carries. Denson led the team with 9 carries for 72 yards. Couch was 19-of-31 passing for 296 yards and a TD. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Huntley was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 128 yards and a TD. The Drive will now face either the San Jose Sabercats or the Dallas Desperados for the Arena Bowl next week.
Georgia gained 417 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 108 yards on 19 carries. David gained 57 yards on 3 carries. Damron went 23-of-36 passing for 337 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Bonewell was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 73 yards and a TD. Crafton caught 7 passes for 128 yards and a TD. Sidney caught 6 passes for 107 yards.
They heard all week how they were backing into the AFL playoffs and the Detroit Drive would blow them out of the water when they met in the National Conference playoff. But Georgia gave Detroit all they could handle, and the Drive pulled out a 34-28 win by the skin of their teeth.
Both teams punted to start the game, but Dave Huntley returned the Georgia punt 38 yards to the Force 28-yard line. Four plays later, Rocky Adams scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to put Detroit up 7-0 with 9:35 to go in the first quarter. The Force would answer back with a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Norm Damron finished it off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Paden Bonewell to tie the game at 7 with 4:05 remaining in the first. Detroit responded by going 70 yards on 7 plays. Adams would score again on a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 with a minute to go in the first quarter.
After a Georgia punt early in the second quarter, Detroit drove 83 yards on 5 plays, the final 57 coming on a touchdown run by Lovell Denson to give the Drive a 21-7 lead with 11:33 left in the half. The Force would punt again, and Detroit went on a 6-play, 38-yard drive ending with a 20-yard field goal by Cletis Frayer to make it 24-7 with 8:23 left in the second quarter. Bo Bull took the ensuing kickoff for Georgia and returned it 53 yards to the Detroit 31-yard line. After seven plays netted 20 yards, Wilbur Ahmad would kick a 28-yard field goal making it 24-10 with 5:56 left in the half. The Drive would punt, and Georgia drove into position for a 39-yard field goal. But a botched snap turned into a fake, and Yannel Gansz's intended pass for Ahmad fell incomplete. Detroit attempted to put some more distance between them and Georgia at the half, but Vern Kelly fumbled at the Georgia 14-yard line, and Tyrone Pickney recovered for the Force.
Georgia began the second half with possession, and drove 52 yards on 5 plays. Ahmad ended the drive with a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-13 with 12:26 to go in the third quarter. After a Detroit punt, the Force appeared primed to score again, but Stan Florin would pick off Damron at the Drive 36-yard line. Lou Couch would end the 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to put Detroit up 31-13 with 1:16 to go in the third.
After trading punts, the Force would drive 80 yards on 3 plays. A 68-yard pass from Damron to Gevan Crafton would set up a 12-yard touchdown from Damron to Crafton, and the 2-Point Conversion made it 31-21 with 9:36 left in the fourth quarter. The Force attempted an onside kick, but failed to recover. Detroit would then move 34 yards on 9 plays, and Frayer would kick a 25-yard field goal to make it 34-21 with 4:23 to go in the fourth. On the ensuing kickoff, Bonewell fielded the ball at the Georgia 1-yard line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 34-28 with 4:08 remaining in the game. After a Detroit punt, Georgia found themselves at their own 18-yard line with 1:13 remaining in the game. The Force managed to reach the Drive 14-yard line with 9 seconds left, but Damron was sacked by T.T. Presley and fumbled at the 24. Prince David recovered for the Force and ran to the 17 but was stopped and the clock ran out.
Detroit gained 446 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 157 yards on 32 carries. Denson led the team with 9 carries for 72 yards. Couch was 19-of-31 passing for 296 yards and a TD. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Huntley was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 128 yards and a TD. The Drive will now face either the San Jose Sabercats or the Dallas Desperados for the Arena Bowl next week.
Georgia gained 417 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 108 yards on 19 carries. David gained 57 yards on 3 carries. Damron went 23-of-36 passing for 337 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Bonewell was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 73 yards and a TD. Crafton caught 7 passes for 128 yards and a TD. Sidney caught 6 passes for 107 yards.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
AFL League Leaders
| RUSHING | ATT | YARDS | TD | LONG | AVG | ||||||
| Sale, SJ | 233 | 1052 | 9 | 28 | 4.5 | ||||||
| Gregson, DAL | 212 | 770 | 6 | 69 | 3.6 | ||||||
| Giles, ORL | 212 | 763 | 6 | 32 | 3.6 | ||||||
| Kindrick, LA | 177 | 744 | 8 | 43 | 4.2 | ||||||
| Foulks, GEO | 175 | 719 | 6 | 38 | 4.1 | ||||||
| Larron, NY | 192 | 713 | 5 | 16 | 3.7 | ||||||
| Millstone, COL | 161 | 707 | 5 | 62 | 4.4 | ||||||
| Osler, NAS | 176 | 700 | 8 | 17 | 4.0 | ||||||
| Clements, CHI | 175 | 693 | 9 | 63 | 4.0 | ||||||
| Harrell, GR | 196 | 684 | 5 | 19 | 3.5 | ||||||
| RECEIVING | REC | YARDS | TD | LONG | AVG | ||||||
| Bonewell, GEO | 105 | 1272 | 7 | 74 | 12.1 | ||||||
| Warhurst, TB | 102 | 1212 | 6 | 34 | 11.9 | ||||||
| Huntley, DET | 99 | 1283 | 7 | 46 | 13.0 | ||||||
| Harley, ALB | 96 | 1088 | 6 | 50 | 11.3 | ||||||
| O'Connell, IOW | 93 | 1089 | 7 | 77 | 11.7 | ||||||
| Margerum, CHI | 89 | 1044 | 11 | 50 | 11.7 | ||||||
| Costigan, SJ | 85 | 1160 | 7 | 52 | 13.6 | ||||||
| Swane, NAS | 84 | 994 | 4 | 62 | 11.8 | ||||||
| Kelly, DET | 82 | 1022 | 8 | 65 | 12.5 | ||||||
| Hawes, DAL | 81 | 1045 | 9 | 49 | 12.9 | ||||||
| PASSING | RAT | ATT | COMP | PCT | INT | INT% | YARDS | YPP | TD | LONG | SACK |
| Drummond, CHI | 92.8 | 548 | 331 | 60.4% | 14 | 2.6% | 4066 | 7.4 | 33 | 70 | 40 |
| Couch, DET | 92.5 | 553 | 363 | 65.6% | 21 | 3.8% | 4279 | 7.7 | 32 | 65 | 36 |
| Damron, GEO | 92.0 | 538 | 344 | 63.9% | 13 | 2.4% | 3871 | 7.2 | 27 | 74 | 38 |
| Wayne, GR | 86.6 | 524 | 289 | 55.2% | 15 | 2.9% | 3870 | 7.4 | 31 | 77 | 39 |
| Haji, ORL | 83.8 | 445 | 278 | 62.5% | 13 | 2.9% | 3112 | 7.0 | 17 | 62 | 31 |
| Blansett, IOW | 83.7 | 589 | 349 | 59.3% | 21 | 3.6% | 4179 | 7.1 | 31 | 77 | 45 |
| Voorhees, DAL | 82.0 | 564 | 323 | 57.3% | 17 | 3.0% | 3824 | 6.8 | 28 | 73 | 44 |
| Brickhouse, NAS | 81.0 | 494 | 299 | 60.5% | 13 | 2.6% | 3317 | 6.7 | 17 | 62 | 21 |
| Thom, COL | 79.7 | 600 | 362 | 60.3% | 21 | 3.5% | 4270 | 7.1 | 22 | 63 | 44 |
| Stanley, TB | 78.7 | 580 | 334 | 57.6% | 23 | 4.0% | 4203 | 7.2 | 26 | 65 | 51 |
| SACKS | |||||||||||
| Board, SJ | 18 | ||||||||||
| Boozer, NAS | 13 | ||||||||||
| Hyde, MIL | 13 | ||||||||||
| Wade, GR | 13 | ||||||||||
| Cowan, LA | 12 | ||||||||||
| Dudson, DAL | 12 | ||||||||||
| Tuck, IOW | 11 | ||||||||||
| Waltrip, IOW | 11 | ||||||||||
| Romine, NY | 11 | ||||||||||
| 5 others tied with | 11 | ||||||||||
| INTERCEPTIONS | INT | YARDS | TD | LONG | |||||||
| Edmonds, DAL | 11 | 178 | 1 | 38 | |||||||
| Brill, GR | 10 | 119 | 0 | 34 | |||||||
| Kriner, MIL | 9 | 159 | 0 | 52 | |||||||
| St. Johns, IOW | 8 | 135 | 0 | 39 | |||||||
| Waltrip, IOW | 7 | 82 | 0 | 19 | |||||||
| Harrelson, LA | 7 | 97 | 0 | 40 | |||||||
| Bird, SJ | 7 | 55 | 0 | 22 | |||||||
| Florin, DET | 6 | 87 | 1 | 40 | |||||||
| Hilton, GEO | 6 | 43 | 0 | 18 | |||||||
| 7 others tied with | 6 | ||||||||||
| PUNTING | PUNT | AVG | BLK | RET | YDS | FC | TB | IN20 | LONG | NET | |
| Alonso, DET | 65 | 44.7 | 1 | 23 | 244 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 72 | 35.1 | |
| Tadwell, NY | 75 | 43.9 | 0 | 40 | 335 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 69 | 35.9 | |
| Hull, NAS | 73 | 43.0 | 2 | 34 | 378 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 68 | 34.0 | |
| Wilcox, DAL | 81 | 42.6 | 1 | 45 | 348 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 65 | 35.3 | |
| Kalkman, TB | 70 | 42.6 | 0 | 33 | 243 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 62 | 36.8 | |
| Fletcher, ORL | 77 | 42.4 | 1 | 39 | 354 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 58 | 34.7 | |
| Alphin, ARI | 73 | 42.3 | 0 | 35 | 374 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 65 | 34.4 | |
| Percell, ALB | 81 | 42.3 | 0 | 40 | 485 | 7 | 17 | 11 | 59 | 32.1 | |
| Wynn, GEO | 77 | 42.2 | 1 | 38 | 401 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 65 | 33.7 | |
| Burnett, CHI | 74 | 42.2 | 4 | 35 | 327 | 14 | 9 | 16 | 64 | 35.3 | |
| KICK RETURNS | RET | YARDS | AVG | TD | LONG | (Minimum 20 Ret) | |||||
| Evers, DAL | 36 | 929 | 25.8 | 1 | 95 | ||||||
| Meads, ARI | 30 | 731 | 24.4 | 0 | 63 | ||||||
| Coggins, IOW | 20 | 485 | 24.3 | 0 | 65 | ||||||
| Holman, COL | 45 | 1075 | 23.9 | 1 | 88 | ||||||
| Ravens, MIL | 22 | 522 | 23.7 | 0 | 39 | ||||||
| Keough, LA | 51 | 1203 | 23.6 | 2 | 97 | ||||||
| Cage, MIL | 28 | 656 | 23.4 | 1 | 79 | ||||||
| Osler, NAS | 66 | 1542 | 23.4 | 0 | 68 | ||||||
| Travers, IOW | 21 | 489 | 23.3 | 0 | 40 | ||||||
| Halter, DET | 39 | 907 | 23.3 | 0 | 77 | ||||||
| PUNT RETURNS | RET | YARDS | AVG | TD | LONG | (Minimum 20 Ret) | |||||
| Huntley, DET | 24 | 310 | 12.9 | 0 | 75 | ||||||
| Coggins, IOW | 21 | 265 | 12.6 | 1 | 68 | ||||||
| Osler, NAS | 25 | 279 | 11.2 | 0 | 53 | ||||||
| Vilmer, GR | 38 | 349 | 9.2 | 0 | 51 | ||||||
| Counce, SJ | 24 | 220 | 9.2 | 0 | 26 | ||||||
| Bane, MIL | 22 | 184 | 8.4 | 0 | 26 | ||||||
| TACKLES | |||||||||||
| Checkers, MIL | 131 | ||||||||||
| Carle, ALB | 126 | ||||||||||
| June, LA | 124 | ||||||||||
| Edmonds, DAL | 123 | ||||||||||
| Clift, GR | 119 | ||||||||||
| Bicker, NY | 118 | ||||||||||
| Dudson, DAL | 117 | ||||||||||
| Quasar, ARI | 113 | ||||||||||
| Adcock, COL | 112 | ||||||||||
| Mills, NY | 111 | ||||||||||
| Waltrip, IOW | 111 | ||||||||||
| TOUCHDOWNS | TOTAL | RUSH | REC | RET | |||||||
| Cage, MIL | 15 | 1 | 12 | 2 | |||||||
| Gregson, DAL | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | |||||||
| Kindrick, LA | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
| Clements, CHI | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| Sale, SJ | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| Crafton, GEO | 11 | 1 | 9 | 1 | |||||||
| Margerum, CHI | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |||||||
| Coggins, IOW | 10 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |||||||
| Taylor, TB | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |||||||
| 4 tied with | 9 | ||||||||||
| KICKING | FG | FGA | LONG | XP | XPA | PTS | |||||
| Rhoads, IOW | 35 | 50 | 54 | 41 | 41 | 146 | |||||
| Faryer, DET | 33 | 40 | 54 | 45 | 46 | 144 | |||||
| Hall, DAL | 34 | 49 | 54 | 39 | 42 | 141 | |||||
| Justen, CHI | 27 | 36 | 54 | 48 | 50 | 129 | |||||
| White, ORL | 31 | 40 | 56 | 34 | 37 | 127 | |||||
| Hamrick, NY | 30 | 41 | 53 | 37 | 37 | 127 | |||||
| Philbrook, MIL | 31 | 44 | 49 | 33 | 34 | 126 | |||||
| Tibbs, GR | 27 | 39 | 56 | 44 | 45 | 125 | |||||
| Stevenson, NAS | 32 | 47 | 53 | 29 | 29 | 125 | |||||
| Wycoff, SJ | 27 | 44 | 54 | 37 | 39 | 118 | |||||
AFL Final Regular Season Standings
| EASTERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Detroit Drive* | 12 | 4 | 0 | 450 | 334 |
| Grand Rapids Rampage | 11 | 5 | 0 | 413 | 308 |
| New York Dragons | 8 | 8 | 0 | 373 | 353 |
| Albany Firebirds | 7 | 9 | 0 | 308 | 425 |
| SOUTHERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Georgia Force* | 8 | 8 | 0 | 404 | 377 |
| Orlando Predators | 7 | 9 | 0 | 375 | 368 |
| Nashville Kats | 6 | 9 | 1 | 323 | 392 |
| Tampa Bay Storm | 5 | 10 | 1 | 330 | 391 |
| CENTRAL DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Dallas Desperados* | 12 | 4 | 0 | 427 | 301 |
| Iowa Barnstormers | 8 | 8 | 0 | 440 | 363 |
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 8 | 8 | 0 | 362 | 388 |
| Chicago Rush | 8 | 8 | 0 | 449 | 396 |
| WESTERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| San Jose Sabercats* | 10 | 6 | 0 | 362 | 313 |
| Colorado Crush | 7 | 9 | 0 | 304 | 414 |
| Los Angeles Avengers | 5 | 11 | 0 | 344 | 368 |
| Arizona Rattlers | 5 | 11 | 0 | 275 | 448 |
WEEK 16 SCORES (Home team in Bold)
Detroit 34, San Jose 16
Grand Rapids 45, Colorado 0
Albany 46, Arizona 23
New York 37, Los Angeles 10
Nashville 20, Iowa 13
Milwaukee 30, Tampa Bay 24
Dallas 42, Georgia 21
Chicago 43, Orlando 14
National Conference Playoff
Georgia (8-8) at Detroit (12-4)
American Conference Playoff
San Jose (10-6) at Dallas (12-4)
AFL: Chicago Destroys Orlando, 43-14
ORLANDO-The final game of the AFL regular season saw the Chicago Rush destroy the Orlando Predators 43-14.
Orlando actually got on the board first following a 7-play, 56-yard drive. Ramon Roden finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Farren Smithson to put the Predators up 7-0 with 11:15 left in the first quarter. Chicago would answer with a 6-play, 57-yard drive. Arman Drummond would end the drive with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Orrin Davenport to tie the game at 7 with 8:22 remaining in the first. On the ensuing kickoff, RW Warden would field the ball in the end zone and make an ill-advised return, getting swarmed at the Predators 3-yard line. On the following play, Harlan Fears would sack Roden in the end zone for a safety to give the Rush a 9-7 lead with 8:03 to go in the first quarter.
The teams would trade punts until early in the second quarter, when Chicago moved the ball 56 yards on 9 plays. Dete Justen ended the drive with a 27-yard field goal to put the Rush up 12-7 with 10:38 left in the half. Orlando drove into scoring position, only for Wallace Fetters to pick off Roden and take off 25 yards to the Chicago 45-yard line. The Rush would punt and down the ball at the Orlando 2-yard line. Roden would get picked off again, this time by Lin Atlas at the Predators 45-yard line. Nine plays later, Drummond hit Marty Margerum for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 19-7 with a minute remaining in the second quarter. Roden would get picked off one more time in the second quarter, and Fetters raced 33 yards for a pick-six with 38 seconds to go in the half, and the Rush led 26-7 going into the locker room.
After trading punts early in the third quarter, the Rush went on an 8-play, 79-yard drive. Drummond would hit Margerum again for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 33-7 with 4:56 to go in the third quarter. The Predators answered with a 10-play, 82-yard drive. D.J. Giles scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 33-14 with 32 seconds to go in the third.
Chicago would answer with a 7-play, 47-yard drive. Justen kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 36-14 with 11:40 left in the fourth quarter. Roden would get intercepted for the fourth time, as Antony Geis picked him off at the Predators 15-yard line. Three plays later, Lonnie Clements scored on an 8-yard touchdown run making it 43-14 with 9:56 remaining. Not much of note happened for the remainder of the game.
Chicago (8-8) gained 385 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 141 yards on 39 carries. Ward Despain led the team with 52 yards on 13 carries. Drummond went 20-of-28 passing for 254 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. Margerum was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 82 yards and 2 TD.
Orlando (7-9) gained 279 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 45 yards rushing on 13 carries. Roden led the team with 20 yards on 6 carries. He was 18-of-39 passing for 254 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 20 yards. Steven Thompson led Orlando's receivers with 6 catches for 76 yards.
Next up, the final regular season standings and top 10 leaders in the statistical categories.
Orlando actually got on the board first following a 7-play, 56-yard drive. Ramon Roden finished it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Farren Smithson to put the Predators up 7-0 with 11:15 left in the first quarter. Chicago would answer with a 6-play, 57-yard drive. Arman Drummond would end the drive with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Orrin Davenport to tie the game at 7 with 8:22 remaining in the first. On the ensuing kickoff, RW Warden would field the ball in the end zone and make an ill-advised return, getting swarmed at the Predators 3-yard line. On the following play, Harlan Fears would sack Roden in the end zone for a safety to give the Rush a 9-7 lead with 8:03 to go in the first quarter.
The teams would trade punts until early in the second quarter, when Chicago moved the ball 56 yards on 9 plays. Dete Justen ended the drive with a 27-yard field goal to put the Rush up 12-7 with 10:38 left in the half. Orlando drove into scoring position, only for Wallace Fetters to pick off Roden and take off 25 yards to the Chicago 45-yard line. The Rush would punt and down the ball at the Orlando 2-yard line. Roden would get picked off again, this time by Lin Atlas at the Predators 45-yard line. Nine plays later, Drummond hit Marty Margerum for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 19-7 with a minute remaining in the second quarter. Roden would get picked off one more time in the second quarter, and Fetters raced 33 yards for a pick-six with 38 seconds to go in the half, and the Rush led 26-7 going into the locker room.
After trading punts early in the third quarter, the Rush went on an 8-play, 79-yard drive. Drummond would hit Margerum again for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 33-7 with 4:56 to go in the third quarter. The Predators answered with a 10-play, 82-yard drive. D.J. Giles scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 33-14 with 32 seconds to go in the third.
Chicago would answer with a 7-play, 47-yard drive. Justen kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 36-14 with 11:40 left in the fourth quarter. Roden would get intercepted for the fourth time, as Antony Geis picked him off at the Predators 15-yard line. Three plays later, Lonnie Clements scored on an 8-yard touchdown run making it 43-14 with 9:56 remaining. Not much of note happened for the remainder of the game.
Chicago (8-8) gained 385 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 141 yards on 39 carries. Ward Despain led the team with 52 yards on 13 carries. Drummond went 20-of-28 passing for 254 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. Margerum was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 82 yards and 2 TD.
Orlando (7-9) gained 279 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 45 yards rushing on 13 carries. Roden led the team with 20 yards on 6 carries. He was 18-of-39 passing for 254 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 20 yards. Steven Thompson led Orlando's receivers with 6 catches for 76 yards.
Next up, the final regular season standings and top 10 leaders in the statistical categories.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
AFL: Dallas Takes Georgia, 42-21
ATLANTA-The Dallas Desperados exploded for 21 unanswered points to turn a 21-21 tie into a 42-21 rout over the Georgia Force in Week 16 of the AFL season.
Dallas began with an 8-play, 57-yard drive that ended with Heinie Voorhees throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Helmut Briley to take a 7-0 lead with 12:22 remaining in the first quarter. Georgia responded with a 4-play, 33-yard drive ending with a 49-yard field goal by Wilbur Ahmad to make it 7-3 with 10:20 remaining in the first. The Desperados moved into scoring position on their next drive, but Greg Hall missed a 41-yard field goal.
Both teams traded punts through the end of the first quarter. Dallas was driving for a score in the second quarter, but Horace Evers fumbled and Sputnik Havner recovered for the Force at their own 23-yard line. The 10-play, 77-yard drive ended with Norm Damron throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Sidney to put Georgia up 10-7 with 8:02 left in the half. The Desperados answered with an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Voorhees threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Clem Shaffer to put Dallas up 14-10 with 1:50 to go in the second quarter. Following a Georgia punt, Dallas drove into scoring range again, but Hall missed a 48-yard field goal attempt to end the half.
Dallas got a lucky break early in the third quarter, and the Desperados went 35 yards on 5 plays. Holt Leash caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Voorhees to make it 21-10 with 13:14 left in the third quarter. Georgia would go on a 9-play, 44-yard drive, and Ahmad would kick a 41-yard field goal to make it 21-13 with 8:31 left in the third. Dallas would line up to punt on their next drive, and Arman Wilcox's punt was blocked. Ervin Wheeler scooped it up and sprinted 31 yards for a touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion would tie the game at 21 with 5:29 to go in the third quarter. After a Dallas punt, the game would arrive at its turning point. On fourth down from Georgia's 8-yard line, Nelson Wynn lined up to punt for the Force. A bad snap forced Wynn to fall on it for a safety to give the Desperados a 23-21 lead with 2:26 left in the third. After the safety kick, Dallas would drive 84 yards on 6 plays. Voorhees fired a 31-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes. The extra point was no good, and the score was 29-21 with 2 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
After an exchange of punts, it all started to unravel from Damron and the Force. Ardell Edmonds picked Damron off and returned it 19 yards to the Georgia 15-yard line. Two plays later, Briley ran in from 9 yards out to make it 36-21 with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. Edmonds picked off Damron again and returned it 10 yards to the Force 28-yard line. The Desperados gained a yard on three plays, and Hall kicked a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 39-21 with 4:13 to go. Damron was intercepted one more time, as Diron Imboden ran 42 yards to the Force 8-yard line. Three plays gained five yards, and Hall kicked a 20-yard field goal with 1:19 left to reach the final 42-21 score.
Dallas (12-4) gained 451 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 102 yards on 32 carries. Briley led the team with 40 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Voorhees was 24-of-37 passing for 364 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 15 yards. Shaffer (88 yards, TD) and Evers (53 yards) each caught 5 passes. The Desperados will host the San Jose Sabercats next week in the American Conference playoff. The Sabercats won the previous meeting in San Jose 37-30 in Week 2, but the Desperados are undefeated at home.
Georgia (8-8) gained 251 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 127 yards on 17 carries. Walter Halley led the team with 95 yards on 8 carries. Damron went 19-of-34 passing for 161 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 37 yards. Sidney (52 yards, TD) and Paden Bonewell (36 yards) each caught 5 passes. The Force will visit the Detroit Drive for the National Conference playoff next week. The teams met in Atlanta in Week 2 and Detroit won the matchup 32-29.
Dallas began with an 8-play, 57-yard drive that ended with Heinie Voorhees throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Helmut Briley to take a 7-0 lead with 12:22 remaining in the first quarter. Georgia responded with a 4-play, 33-yard drive ending with a 49-yard field goal by Wilbur Ahmad to make it 7-3 with 10:20 remaining in the first. The Desperados moved into scoring position on their next drive, but Greg Hall missed a 41-yard field goal.
Both teams traded punts through the end of the first quarter. Dallas was driving for a score in the second quarter, but Horace Evers fumbled and Sputnik Havner recovered for the Force at their own 23-yard line. The 10-play, 77-yard drive ended with Norm Damron throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Sidney to put Georgia up 10-7 with 8:02 left in the half. The Desperados answered with an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Voorhees threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Clem Shaffer to put Dallas up 14-10 with 1:50 to go in the second quarter. Following a Georgia punt, Dallas drove into scoring range again, but Hall missed a 48-yard field goal attempt to end the half.
Dallas got a lucky break early in the third quarter, and the Desperados went 35 yards on 5 plays. Holt Leash caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Voorhees to make it 21-10 with 13:14 left in the third quarter. Georgia would go on a 9-play, 44-yard drive, and Ahmad would kick a 41-yard field goal to make it 21-13 with 8:31 left in the third. Dallas would line up to punt on their next drive, and Arman Wilcox's punt was blocked. Ervin Wheeler scooped it up and sprinted 31 yards for a touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion would tie the game at 21 with 5:29 to go in the third quarter. After a Dallas punt, the game would arrive at its turning point. On fourth down from Georgia's 8-yard line, Nelson Wynn lined up to punt for the Force. A bad snap forced Wynn to fall on it for a safety to give the Desperados a 23-21 lead with 2:26 left in the third. After the safety kick, Dallas would drive 84 yards on 6 plays. Voorhees fired a 31-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes. The extra point was no good, and the score was 29-21 with 2 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
After an exchange of punts, it all started to unravel from Damron and the Force. Ardell Edmonds picked Damron off and returned it 19 yards to the Georgia 15-yard line. Two plays later, Briley ran in from 9 yards out to make it 36-21 with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. Edmonds picked off Damron again and returned it 10 yards to the Force 28-yard line. The Desperados gained a yard on three plays, and Hall kicked a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 39-21 with 4:13 to go. Damron was intercepted one more time, as Diron Imboden ran 42 yards to the Force 8-yard line. Three plays gained five yards, and Hall kicked a 20-yard field goal with 1:19 left to reach the final 42-21 score.
Dallas (12-4) gained 451 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 102 yards on 32 carries. Briley led the team with 40 yards on 10 carries and a TD. Voorhees was 24-of-37 passing for 364 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 15 yards. Shaffer (88 yards, TD) and Evers (53 yards) each caught 5 passes. The Desperados will host the San Jose Sabercats next week in the American Conference playoff. The Sabercats won the previous meeting in San Jose 37-30 in Week 2, but the Desperados are undefeated at home.
Georgia (8-8) gained 251 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 127 yards on 17 carries. Walter Halley led the team with 95 yards on 8 carries. Damron went 19-of-34 passing for 161 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 37 yards. Sidney (52 yards, TD) and Paden Bonewell (36 yards) each caught 5 passes. The Force will visit the Detroit Drive for the National Conference playoff next week. The teams met in Atlanta in Week 2 and Detroit won the matchup 32-29.
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