Saturday, September 30, 2017

AFL: Georgia Defeats Grand Rapids, 27-19

GRAND RAPIDS-In a battle of two struggling AFL teams, the Georgia Force scored twenty unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Grand Rapids Rampage 27-19 in a Week 7 game.

The Rampage started the game on the right note, with an 8-play, 72-yard drive. Curtis Wayne finished it off with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Nikolai Vilmer. George Tibbs missed the extra point, and the score was 6-0 with 12:01 remaining in the first quarter. The Force would answer back with a 7-play, 75-yard drive of their own. Yannel Gansz would fire a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Tallman to give Georgia a 7-6 lead with 8:31 remaining in the first. Grand Rapids would punt on their next drive, then Orville Brill would pick off a Gansz pass and streak 48 yards to the Georgia 2-yard line. Bobo Cushing would score on a 2-yard touchdown run on the next play to put the Rampage ahead 13-7 with 6:26 left in the first quarter.

Following a Force punt, the Rampage would move 55 yards on 10 plays. Tibbs would score on a 27-yard field goal to make it 16-7 with 14:48 to go in the second quarter. Georgia would punt, and Grand Rapids would try to drive for another score, but Tibbs missed a 48-yard attempt. Merrill Fernandez would intercept a Gansz pass at the Force 35-yard line, but Tibbs would miss a 41-yard attempt. Georgia would drive toward a 45-yard field goal attempt by Wilbur Ahmad, but a mishandled snap forced a fake attempt. Augustus Bahr's pass to Quirt Skinner would fall incomplete. Grand Rapids would subsequently drive 60 yards on 13 plays, and Tibbs would kick a 29-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining in the half to give the Rampage a 19-7 lead at the half.

After a Georgia punt, Wayne would be picked off by Sputnik Havner at the Force 24-yard line. But Georgia went three-and-out, and Nelson Wynn's punt was blocked at their own 16. However, Raymond Clements would pick Wayne off on the next play in the end zone, but he took it out of the end zone and returned it to his own 4-yard line. But the Force would march 96 yards on 9 plays, ending with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Gansz to Clem Foulks ro make it 19-14 with 8:22 remaining in the third quarter. After trading punts, Georgia would drive 24 yards on 6 plays. Ahmad would kick a 36-yard field goal to make it 19-17 with 26 seconds remaining in the third.

After a three-and-out by Grand Rapids, coupled with a great punt return by Gevan Crafton, the Force went on a 10-play, 40-yard drive. Gansz finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Raven Bannon to give Georgia a 24-19 lead with 10:25 to go in the fourth quarter. Wayne was victimized by another inception as Ward Hilton picked him off at the Force 22-yard line. Georgia would punt the ball, and Vilmer took off a 43-yard return to the Georgia 34-yard line. But the Rampage couldn't convert on fourth down. The Force would control the clock, but Ahmad missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Another stop by Georgia on fourth down gave the ball back to the Force, and Ahmad would connect on a 53-yard kick following a three-play, nine-yard drive to make it 27-19 with 32 seconds remaining to put it out of reach.

Georgia (3-4) gained 322 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 116 yards on 30 carries. Bo Bull led the team with 39 yards on 11 carries. Gansz was 22-of-40 passing for 238 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 32 yards. Foulks (66 yards, TD) and Bannon (15 yards, TD) each caught 5 passes in the game. The Force host the Tampa Bay Storm next week.

Grand Rapids (3-4) gained 263 yards of total offense. The Rampage ran for 74 yards on 21 carries. Cushing led the team with 33 yards on 5 carries and a TD. Wayne was 20-of-42 passing for 225 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 36 yards. Clift Gregory was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 56 yards. The Rampage visit the Detroit Drive next week.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

AFL: Drive Defeat Kats, 27-14

DETROIT-The Detroit Drive won their fourth game in their last five defeating the Nashville Kats 27-14 in a Week 7 AFL game.

The Drive opened the game by moving the ball 80 yards on 11 plays. Patch Brolie put the finishing touches on the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to give Detroit a 7-0 lead with 10:33 left in the first quarter.

The teams exchanged punts, then the Kats would move 64 yards on 9 plays. Curt Wardlaw opened the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Damien Holden to tie the game at 7 with 14:51 to go in the second. Detroit would answer back with an 11-play, 86-yard drive. Lou Couch completed the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Vern Kelly giving the Drive a 14-7 lead with 9:33 left in the half. The Kats punted the ball away, but Detroit would turn the ball over when Artie Thom fumbled and Lyndon Trimmer recovered for Nashville at his own 17-yard line. However, the Kats were forced to punt again, and Detroit moved 62 yards on 8 plays. Brolie ran in from the 6-yard line with 42 seconds left to give the Drive a 21-7 lead at the half.

There was no scoring in the third quarter. The teams traded punts, and Nashville had a chance to score, but Daniel Stevenson missed a 38-yard field goal midway through the third. After another Detroit punt, Nashville moved towards a potential score again, but Butch Bryant picked Wardlaw off in the end zone for a touchback. The Drive punted again, and Wardlaw was victimized by another interception, this time by Cord Biggs at the Detroit 24-yard line.

Following that pick, the Drive went 42 yards on 10 plays. Cletis Frayer would kick a 49-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-7 with 9:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Kats responded with a 5-play, 66-yard drive, ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Wardlaw to Alza Chipman to make it 24-14 with 8:02 remaining in the fourth. The teams would trade punts, then Detroit ran it out with a 6-play, 16-yard drive ending with Frayer kicking a 51-yard field goal making it 27-14 with 57 seconds to go.

Detroit (4-3) gained 382 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 150 yards on 39 carries. C.J. Jetton led the team with 43 yards on 9 carries. Couch was 18-of-27 passing for 242 yards and a TD. He was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. Kelly (84 yards, TD) and Brolie (89 yards) each caught 6 passes in the game. The Drive will host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.

Nashville (4-3) gained 278 yards of total offense. The Kats ran for 84 yards on 24 carries. Oliver Osler led the team with 70 yards on 19 carries. Wardlaw was 17-of-26 passing for 221 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 27 yards. Holden (32 yards, TD), Chipman (26 yards, TD) and Angus Shibest (29 yards) each caught 3 passes in the game. The Kats visit the Orlando Predators next week.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

AFL Week 6 Standings

EASTERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Albany Firebirds 4 2 0 129 111 3-1
Grand Rapids Rampage 3 3 0 139 109 2-1
Detroit Drive 3 3 0 151 119 1-2
New York Dragons 0 6 0 96 178 0-4
SOUTHERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Tampa Bay Storm 4 2 0 140 141 2-2
Nashville Kats 4 2 0 154 136 3-2
Georgia Force 2 4 0 109 163 1-3
Orlando Predators 1 5 0 148 183 1-4
CENTRAL DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Chicago Rush 5 1 0 173 139 1-0
Iowa Barnstormers 4 2 0 187 119 2-0
Milwaukee Mustangs 4 2 0 174 134 1-1
Dallas Desperados 2 4 0 142 176 1-0
WESTERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Colorado Crush 4 2 0 145 130 1-2
San Jose Sabercats 3 3 0 156 152 1-2
Los Angeles Avengers 3 3 0 131 143 0-2
Arizona Rattlers 2 4 0 102 143 0-2
Week 6 Scores (Home team in ALL CAPS)
Detroit 40, GEORGIA 23
TAMPA BAY 9, Grand Rapids 7
Albany 31, ORLANDO 15
NASHVILLE 20, New York 14
Chicago 31, ARIZONA 15
Dallas 30, LOS ANGELES 20
Iowa 47, COLORADO 17
Milwaukee 51, SAN JOSE 46
Week 7 Games
Nashville (4-2) at Detroit (3-3) (Drive -3)
Georgia (2-4) at Grand Rapids (3-3) (Rampage -5)
Tampa Bay (4-2) at Albany (4-2) (Firebirds -6)
Orlando (1-5) at New York (0-6) (Predators -4)
San Jose (3-3) at Chicago (5-1) (Rush -9)
Arizona (2-4) at Dallas (2-4) (Desperados -8)
Los Angeles (3-3) at Iowa (4-2) (Barnstormers -11)
Colorado (4-2) at Milwaukee (4-2) (Mustangs -7)

AFL: Mustangs Outgun Sabercats, 51-46

SAN JOSE-Dave Symons ran for three touchdowns in aiding the Milwaukee Mustangs to a 51-46 victory over the San Jose Sabercats in a Week 6 AFL game.

The Mustangs started the game with a 12-play, 72-yard drive, ending with Symons scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run to give Milwaukee a 7-0 lead with 9:24 remaining in the first quarter. After trading punts, Trent Josephs would recover an Alan Sale fumble for the Mustangs at the Sabercats' 31-yard line. Three plays later, Symons would score on another 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 4:01 to go in the first.

After another San Jose punt, Milwaukee would embark on a 14-play, 80-yard drive. Heinie Clausen would score on a reverse from the 3 to extend the Mustangs' lead to 21-0 with 8:30 left in the second quarter. The Sabercats would respond, driving 32 yards on 5 plays. Ethan Wycoff would kick a 44-yard field goal to make it 21-3 with 6:44 left in the half. Following a Mustangs punt, San Jose drove again, going 47 yards on 9 plays. Andre Stanfill finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Scooter Colby to make it 21-10 with 1:39 left in the second quarter. The Sabercats got even closer when Russ Bird picked off Bruce Baskerville and streaked 53 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-17 with 55 seconds left in the half. Milwaukee tried to score before the half, but Rock Philbrook missed a 55-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half.

The Mustangs got a break recovering a Sabercats fumble on the second-half kickoff at the San Jose 13-yard line. On the next play, Symons scored on a 13-yard touchdown run to pull ahead 28-17 with 14:53 to go in the third. Hack McDonald atoned for the turnover by taking the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The Sabercats successfully scored on a 2-point conversion to make it 28-25 with 14:36 remaining in the third. Buckley Ravens fielded a short kickoff and returned it 48 yards to the San Jose 26-yard line, setting up a 6-play, 11-yard drive. Philbrook ended it with a 32-yard field goal to make it 31-25 with 11:29 left in the third quarter. After a Sabercats punt, the Mustangs were on the move again, going 70 yards on 10 plays. Baskerville would throw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Coggins to go up 38-25 with 4:33 to go in the third. The Mustangs capitalized on another Sale fumble, as Rosey Rader fell on the ball at the Sabercats' 21-yard line. After netting two yards on three plays, Philbrook kicked a 36-yard field goal to make it 41-25 with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

San Jose would answer back with an 11-play, 63-yard drive. Stanfill ended the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Stacy. The Sabercats made another 2-point conversion to make it 41-33 with 12:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs answered with a 9-play, 53-yard drive that ended with a 36-yard field goal by Philbrook to make it 44-33 with 6:36 left in the fourth.The Sabercats missed a fourth down conversion in their own territory, and Milwaukee drove 32 yards on 7 plays. Manolo Gage scored the Mustangs' fifth rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out to make it 51-33 with 1:53 left in the game. San Jose did not give up the fight, as they ended an 8-play, 57-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stanfill to Colby. They missed the 2-point conversion, and the score was 51-39 with 6 seconds remaining. The Sabercats would recover an onside kick, and Stanfill hit Turk Costigan for a 54-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game to make it 51-46.

Milwaukee (4-2) gained 392 yards of total offense. The Mustangs ran for 175 yards on 40 carries. Symons led the team with 80 yards on 15 carries and 3 TD. Baskerville was 22-of-34 passing for 225 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for an 8-yard loss. C.C. Cage led the receivers with 6 catches for 44 yards. The Mustangs host the Colorado Crush next week.

San Jose (3-3) gained 283 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 50 yards on 17 carries. Sale led the team with 39 yards on 11 carries. Stanfill was 20-of-34 passing for 236 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked once for a 3-yard loss. Costigan (98 yards, TD) and Colby (74 yards, 2 TD) each caught six passes in the game. The Sabercats visit the Chicago Rush next week.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

AFL: Colorado Crushed By Iowa, 47-17

DENVER-Norm Damron's four touchdown passes in the first half proved to be more than enough as the Iowa Barnstormers cruised to a 47-17 thumping of the Colorado Crush in Week 6 of the AFL season.

The game started with Iowa driving 61 yards on 13 plays, ending with Damron throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Corben Marvell to take a 7-0 lead with 9:19 to go in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, JC Holman fumbled and Stew Fugundo recovered for the Barnstormers at the Crush 24-yard line. After gaining eight yards on seven plays, SB Rhoads kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 6:12 left in the first.

After trading punts, Colorado would drive 54 yards on 7 plays. Earl Ginger finished it off with a 50-yard field goal to make it 10-3 with 12:10 remaining in the second quarter. Then the Barnstormers started flexing their offensive muscle, ending an 8-play, 80-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Damron to Ryan Travers to make it 17-3 with 8:46 left in the half. Shelton St. Johns would pick off a Howton Thom pass and return it 14 yards to the Crush 22-yard line. Two plays later, Damron hit Preston Covington for a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-3 with 6:23 to go in the second. Following a Colorado punt, Iowa went on the move again with a 10-play, 70-yard drive. Damron finished it off with a 14-yard touchdown strike to Caleb Whitlock with 55 seconds to go. Rhoads missed the extra point, and the Barnstormers went into the locker room with a 30-3 halftime lead.

Holman opened the second half with a 60-yard kickoff return for the Crush before being tackled at the Iowa 29-yard line. Two plays later, Valentine Millstone dived in from the 1 to make it 30-10 with 13:58 left in the third quarter. Iowa would punt the ball away, but Thom was picked off again by St. Johns who took it back 23 yards to the Colorado 49-yard line. The Barnstormers would punt again, then the Crush's Michael Chilton had his punt blocked by Damon Derr who fell on it at the Colorado 15-yard line. Four plays later, Powell Ramos scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 37-10 with 6:43 remaining in the third.

Following another Colorado punt, Iowa drove again, going 80 yards on 9 plays. Ramos opened the fourth quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run to extend the Barnstormers' lead to 44-10 with 14:52 left in the game. The Crush would respond with a 9-play, 80-yard drive of their own, ending with Thom throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Howell to make it 44-17 with 10:48 left in the fourth. An onside kick failed, and Iowa would finish a 6-play, 16-yard drive with a 43-yard field goal by Rhoads to make it 47-17 with 7:25 to go in the fourth quarter. The Crush tried to convert on fourth down in Barnstormers territory, but failed and Iowa would run out the clock.

Iowa (4-2) gained 396 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers ran for 106 yards on 33 carries. Ramos led the team with 67 yards on 17 carries and 2 TD. Damron was 26-of-36 passing for 299 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked twice, losing nine yards. Travers was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 42 yards and a TD. The Barnstormers host the Los Angeles Avengers next week.

Colorado (4-2) gained 282 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 73 yards on 18 carries. Arman Gott led the team with 25 yards on 8 carries. Thom was 16-of-32 passing for 186 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked once for a 5-yard loss. Millstone (80 yards) and Sandy Kelley (50 yards) each caught four passes. The Crush visit the Milwaukee Mustangs next week.

Friday, September 22, 2017

AFL: Desperados Defeat Avengers 30-20

LOS ANGELES-Heinie Voorhees accounted for all three touchdowns in the Dallas Desperados' 30-20 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers in Week 6 of the AFL season.

It started early for Dallas, when Ardell Edmonds picked off Willie Guess and ran it back 54 yards to the Los Angeles 6-yard line on the first play of the game. On the next play, Voorhees connected with J.J. Hawes for a 6-yard touchdown pass to give the Desperados a 7-0 lead with 14:27 remaining in the first quarter. The Avengers shook off that turnover, and drove 73 yards on 8 plays. Guess would throw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Keifer Dance to tie the game at 7 with 10:45 to go in the first. After trading punts, Dallas would embark on a 14-play, 48-yard drive ending with a 32-yard field goal by Greg Hall to take a 10-7 lead with 1:25 remaining in the first quarter.

On Los Angeles' next possession, Nino Schwarz would have a punt blocked by Upton Kent who took it 12 yards to the Avengers' 6-yard line. However, Hall would later attempt a 20-yard field goal that was blocked by Claude Dyer who ran it back 39 yards to the Desperados' 47-yard line. Los Angeles would gain 16 yards on 6 plays, and Carmon Grimes kicked a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 with 9:31 to go in the second quarter. Gus Wolfe would pick off a Voorhees pass at the Avengers' 40-yard line but Los Angeles was forced to punt. Following a Desperados' punt, the Avengers would drive 61 yards on 6 plays. Chip Kindrick would score on a 1-yard touchdown run giving LA a 17-10 lead with 2:28 to go in the half. Horace Evers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Grimes fell on it for the Avengers at the Dallas 26-yard line. After five plays netted 17 yards, Grimes would kick a 26-yard field goal with 55 seconds left to give Los Angeles a 20-10 lead at halftime.

After the Desperados punted to open the second half, they caught a break when Kindrick fumbled and Edmonds recovered at the Avengers' 41-yard line. Three plays later, Voorhees fired an 18-yard touchdown pass to Helmut Briley to make it 20-17 with 11:20 left in the third quarter. Following a Los Angeles punt, Dallas would move the ball 19 yards on 6 plays, and Hall kicked a 49-yard field goal to tie the game at 20 with 6:44 to go in the third.

After another Avengers punt, the Desperados went on a 9-play, 56-yard drive that ended with Hall kicking a 28-yard field goal to give Dallas a 23-20 at the start of the fourth quarter. Los Angeles would punt yet again, and Voorhees personally put an end to a 7-play, 80-yard drive with a 45-yard scramble for a touchdown to make it 30-20 with 6:42 left in the fourth.

Dallas (2-4) gained 292 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 146 yards on 34 carries. Voorhees led the team with 67 yards on 5 carries and a TD. He was 14-of-28 passing for 157 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 11 yards. Evers led with 4 receptions for 50 yards. Next week, the Desperados host the Arizona Rattlers.

Los Angeles (3-3) gained 227 yards of total offense. The Avengers ran for 140 yards on 30 carries. Igor Keough led the team with 57 yards on 6 carries. Guess was 14-of-27 passing for 120 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 33 yards. Dance was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 60 yards and a TD. The Avengers visit the Iowa Barnstormers next week.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

AFL: Rush Defeat Rattlers, 31-15

PHOENIX-The Chicago Rush defeated the Arizona Rattlers 31-15 during Week 6 of the AFL season.

After trading punts to start the game, Chicago drove 69 yards on 7 plays. Hershel Kimbrell finished the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marty Margerum to give the Rush a 7-0 lead with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter.

After another Arizona punt, the Rush would drive 79 yards on 7 plays. Kimbrell would throw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Finley Gentry to extend the lead to 14-0 with 13:32 to go in the second quarter. Kadeem Raburn would get picked off by Lin Atlas and returned 10 yards to the Rattlers' 48-yard line. Dete Justen would then miss a 55-yard field goal attempt. The Rattlers would punt, and the Rush appeared to drive for a score, but Lonnie Clements fumbled and Claud Fagan recovered for Arizona at their own 27-yard line. The Rattlers moved for a score, but Burt Hamrick missed a 45-yard field goal attempt. After trading punts, the Rush scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Kimbrell to Kendall Falcinelli on the final play of the half to go up 21-0.

Arizona opened the second half with a 5-play, 58-yard drive. Raburn scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 21-7 with 12:03 to go in the third quarter. Both teams traded punts, then Raburn's pass was picked off by Wallace Fetters at the Chicago 38-yard line.

Following the turnover, the Rush drove 36 yards on 6 plays. Justen kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 24-7 with 13:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers punted the ball, then Chicago went on a 21-play, 92-yard drive. Keith Headrick finished the ten-minute march with a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 31-7 with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter. Arizona would move 69 yards on 8 plays. Raburn threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Jones and a successful 2-Point Conversion made it 31-15 with 37 seconds remaining. The Rattlers tried an onside kick, but the Rush recovered and ran out the clock.

Chicago (5-1) gained 490 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 205 yards on 35 carries. Clements led the team with 98 yards on 15 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 88 yards. Kimbrell was 18-of-37 passing for 316 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 31 yards. Falcinelli caught 4 passes for 103 yards and a TD. The Rush host the San Jose Sabercats next week.

Arizona (2-4) gained 280 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 57 yards on 20 carries. Braxton Teal led the team with 15 yards on 4 carries. He also caught three passes for 49 yards. Raburn was 20-of-37 passing for 230 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Shelby Lerti (43 yards), Arvil Stinson (43 yards) and Jones (7 yards, TD) each caught three passes. The Rattlers host the Dallas Desperados next week.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

AFL: Dragons Fall Again, Lose To Kats 20-14

NASHVILLE-The Nashville Kats defeated the New York Dragons 20-14 to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Storm in the AFL Southern Division. Meanwhile, the Dragons fall to 0-6 and aren't even within shouting distance of their Eastern Division counterparts.

After Nashville opened the game with a punt, New York would move 84 yards on 8 plays. Faron Emerson finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Booker Starling to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter. Following another punt by the Kats, the Dragons turned the ball when George Larron was stripped of the ball and Lyndon Trimmer sprinted 13 yards to the Dragons' 28-yard line. After a 5-play, 18-yard drive, Daniel Stevenson would kick a 27-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 2:18 remaining in the first.

After trading punts, the Kats embarked on a 9-play, 80-yard drive. Curt Wardlaw would throw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Hershey Guziewicz to give Nashville a 10-7 lead with 7:22 left in the second quarter. New York looked to tie the game, but Jose Trust would miss a 55-yard field goal attempt. Nashville then drove 55 yards on 5 plays, and Wardlaw threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chet Fondren making it 17-7 with 2:30 to go in the half.

Not much of note happened in the third quarter. The Kats were pinned back at their own 2-yard line after the Dragons punted on their initial possession. Nashville got out of the shadow of their end zone, but Damien Holden would fumble and Hudie Mancini recovered for the Dragons at their own 47-yard line. The exchange of punts would continue until late in the quarter. RW Burns would pick off Emerson at midfield near the end of the third.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Vince Caselli fumbled for Nashville, and Mancini recovered at the New York 49-yard line. Emerson would finish an 8-play, 51-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Barry Starr to make it 17-14 with 10:09 remaining in the fourth. The Kats would answer back with a 6-play, 51-yard drive. Stevenson would kick a 38-yard field goal to extend Nashville's lead to 20-14 with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Dragons would be turned away on fourth down in Kats' territory. Nashville would punt, and New York managed to reach the Nashville 32-yard line with 7 seconds left. But Emerson's heave to Elvin Strait in the end zone fell incomplete.

Nashville (4-2) gained 338 yards of total offense. The Kats ran for 139 yards on 32 carries. Oliver Osler led the team with 56 yards on 18 carries. Wardlaw was 18-of-27 passing for 185 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 19 yards. Alza Chipman (50 yards), Cobey Kingston (43 yards) and Guziewicz (16 yards, TD) each caught three passes. The Kats visit the Detroit Drive next week.

New York (0-6) gained 298 yards of total offense. The Dragons ran for 127 yards on 27 carries. Larron led the team with 45 yards on 10 carries. Emerson was 14-of-33 passing for 166 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 37 yards. Starr (61 yards, TD) Paden Caspar (44 yards) and Starling (19 yards, TD) each caught three passes. The Dragons will host the Orlando Predators next week.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

AFL: Firebirds Beat Predators, 31-15

ORLANDO-Pressed into action after Sinbad Gargaro was injured last week, Kirk Redden threw two touchdown passes in leading the Albany Firebirds to a 31-15 victory over the Orlando Predators in Week 6 of the AFL season.

After Orlando went three-and-out, the Firebirds took two plays to score a touchdown as Redden fired a 58-yard touchdown pass to Jerreld Richmond to take a 7-0 lead with 13:03 to go in the first quarter. Orlando would punt, then Redden would get picked off by Ham Sheets at the Albany 44-yard line. After three plays netted seven yards, Abel White kicked a 54-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 6:42 to go in the first. The Firebirds answered with a 9-play, 56-yard drive. Wally Dancer finished it off with a 31-yard field goal to make it 10-3 with 2:54 left in the first quarter.

Late in the first, Woodrow Richardson was picked off by Pepe Kell at the Firebirds' 46-yard line. Ten plays later, Abdul Fowler scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to extend Albany's lead to 17-3 with 10:29 remaining in the second quarter. Orlando tried to drive for a score, but White's 41-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked. Following an Albany three-and-out, the Predators drove 36 yards on 6 plays, and White connected on a 45-yard field goal to make it 17-6 with 4:24 remaining in the half. The Firebirds would strike back, driving 64 yards on 11 plays. Redden finished it with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Harley making the score 24-6 with 52 seconds to go in the half.

After Redden fumbled the snap and Silas Garris fell on it for the Predators at their own 27-yard line, Orlando drove 73 yards on 6 plays. Richardson would throw a 6-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Giles, but the 2-Point Conversion was no good, and the Predators trailed 24-12 with 10:59 to go in the third quarter. The Firebirds took the ball back and drove 64 yards on 9 plays. Redden kept the ball himself and ran 14 yards for a touchdown to take a 31-12 lead with 6:02 to go in the third.

After trading punts late in the third, Orlando would go 27 yards and 4 plays, and White kicked a 44-yard field goal with 14:46 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 31-15. But that was as close as the Predators would get, as the Predators couldn't get close to Albany territory, much less the end zone. Dancer would miss a pair of field goals for the Firebirds.

Albany (4-2) gained 389 yards of total offense. The Firebirds ran for 131 yards on 36 carries. Fowler led the team with 44 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Redden was 18-of-32 passing for 256 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 16 yards. Harley was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 63 yards and a TD. The Firebirds host the Tampa Bay Storm next week.

Orlando (1-5) gained 253 yards of total offense. The Predators ran for 57 yards on 17 carries. Giles led the team with 47 yards on 9 carries, and caught 4 passes for 41 yards and a TD. Richardson was 20-of-41 passing for 244 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked six times, losing 48 yards. Isaiah O'Connell caught 4 passes for 48 yards. The Predators visit the New York Dragons next week.

Friday, September 15, 2017

AFL: Storm Edge Rampage, 9-7

TAMPA-There was not much to write home about in this Week 6 AFL game, but Johnny Quincey and the Tampa Bay Storm would take the win as his three field goals gave them a 9-7 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage.

After a Grand Rapids punt, Tampa Bay would drive 61 yards on 9 plays, and Quincey kicked a 39-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 6:53 to go in the first quarter. After George Tibbs missed a 54-yard field goal attempt, the Storm moved 27 yards on 4 plays, and Quincey scored on a 46-yard field goal to give Tampa Bay a 6-0 lead with 38 seconds remaining in the first.

Early in the second quarter, the Rampage would punt. Then Preacher Kalkman fell on a bad snap on a punt to give Grand Rapids the ball on the Tampa Bay 41-yard line. Tibbs would line up for a 50-yard field goal, and it was blocked by Lando Duckworth. Quincey would later miss a 46-yard attempt. The teams traded punts, and the Rampage looked to score, but Curtis Wayne's long pass was picked off by Allie Navarro in the end zone and returned 19 yards to the Storm 14-yard line.

The Rampage would force a fumble on the second half kickoff, and Ron Hurrison recovered at the Tampa Bay 24-yard line. But Wayne was victimized by the interception again, as Blue Hanan picked Wayne off at the 3. But the Storm went three-and-out, and Kalkman's punt was returned by Nikolai Vilmer for a 53-yard touchdown to give Grand Rapids a 7-6 lead with 11:32 left in the third quarter. The Rampage tried to extend the lead after forcing a Burton Carmon fumble recovered by Ves Gaskins at the Storm 45-yard line. But a fourth-and-1 run by Bobo Cushing from the 15 went nowhere.

The remainder of the game was dominated by punting. Tampa Bay had a chance to score a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but Willie Zachary's fumble was recovered by Rodd Clift at the Rampage 6-yard line. The Rampage would punt, then the Storm drove 48 yards on 10 plays. Quincey would end the scoring with a 20-yard field goal with 56 seconds remaining to give Tampa Bay the 9-7 win.

Tampa Bay (4-2) gained 342 yards of total offense. The Storm ran for 129 yards on 36 carries. Zachary led the team with 50 yards on 14 carries, and also led with 5 catches for 76 yards. Orval Stanley was 17-of-27 passing for 231 yards and was sacked twice, losing 18 yards. The Storm visit the Albany Firebirds next week.

Grand Rapids (3-3) gained 224 yards of total offense. The Rampage ran for 56 yards on 27 carries. Cushing led the team with 34 yards on 15 carries. Wayne was 14-of-25 passing for 154 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked once, losing 5 yards. Herbert Shipley led the receivers with 5 catches for 36 yards. The Rampage host the Georgia Force next week.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

AFL: Kelly Sets TD Record, Detroit Beats Georgia 40-23

ATLANTA-Vern Kelly set a single-game AFL record with four touchdown receptions in aiding the Detroit Drive to a 40-23 victory over the Georgia Force in Week 6 of the AFL season.

After Patch Brolie returned a short kickoff 35 yards to the Georgia 39-yard line. Detroit would move the ball 24 yards on 5 plays. Cletis Frayer would kick a 32-yard field goal to give the Drive a 3-0 lead with 11:34 remaining in the first quarter. The Force would answer, driving 78 yards on 9 plays. Bo Bull would run in from the 1 to give Georgia a 7-3 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first. Detroit then answered with an 8-play, 60-yard drive. Frayer would finish it off with a 27-yard field goal to make it 7-6 with 2:33 remaining in the first quarter. Bull fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Ryan Rostoski fell on it for the Drive at the Force 18-yard line. Three plays later, Lou Couch hit Kelly for a 7-yard touchdown pass to take a 13-7 lead with 58 seconds remaining in the first.

Following a Georgia punt, Detroit drove 51 yards on 13 plays. Frayer would kick a 28-yard field goal to extend the Drive's lead to 16-7 with 6:36 remaining in the second quarter. Yannel Gansz would get picked off by Ham Thom who took it back 25 yards to the Force 30-yard line. Six plays later, Couch and Kelly connected again on a 2-yard touchdown pass to make it 23-7 with 2:50 remanining in the half. Late in the half, both quarterbacks threw interceptions, then Gansz would end a 2-play, 11-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left. Wilbur Ahmad would miss the extra point, and the Force trailed 23-13 at the half.

Georgia opened the second half with a 12-play, 35-yard drive. Ahmad would make a 35-yard field goal to get within a touchdown at 23-16 with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Detroit answered back with a 10-play, 80-yard drive ending with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Couch to Kelly making it 30-16 with 3:26 left in the third. Tad Adler would pick off Gansz at the Drive 22-yard line late in the quarter. The Drive went three-and-out, but McKinley Beaumont would intercept Gansz again at the Detroit 36-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Following the pick, Detroit moved the ball 64 yards on 8 plays. Kelly would find the end zone for the fourth time as Couch hit him for a 17-yard touchdown pass to make it 37-16 with 10:10 to go in the fourth quarter. After trading punts, Georgia drove 29 yards on 2 plays. Gansz threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Gevan Crafton to make it 37-23 with 5:43 left in the fourth. An onside kick failed, and Detroit finished a 10-play, 32-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal by Frayer to make it 40-23 with 1:11 left in the game.

Detroit (3-3) gained 360 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 136 yards on 38 carries. Brolie led the team with 44 yards on 14 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 65 yards. Couch was 22-of-36 passing for 224 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. Kelly led the receivers with 7 catches for 60 yards and 4 TD. Next week, the Drive host the Nashville Kats.

Georgia (2-4) gained 242 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 48 yards on 17 carries. Bull led the team with 21 yards on 5 carries and a TD. Gansz was 18-of-33 passing for 229 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 35 yards. Crafton was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 91 yards and a TD. The Force visit the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.

Monday, September 11, 2017

AFL Week 5 Standings

EASTERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Grand Rapids Rampage 3 2 0 132 100 2-1
Albany Firebirds 3 2 0 98 96 3-1
Detroit Drive 2 3 0 111 96 1-2
New York Dragons 0 5 0 82 158 0-4
SOUTHERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Tampa Bay Storm 3 2 0 131 134 1-2
Nashville Kats 3 2 0 134 122 2-2
Georgia Force 2 3 0 86 123 1-2
Orlando Predators 1 4 0 133 152 1-3
CENTRAL DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Chicago Rush 4 1 0 142 124 1-0
Iowa Barnstormers 3 2 0 140 102 2-0
Milwaukee Mustangs 3 2 0 123 88 1-1
Dallas Desperados 1 4 0 112 156 1-0
WESTERN DIVISION W L T PF PA HOME
Colorado Crush 4 1 0 128 83 1-1
San Jose Sabercats 3 2 0 110 101 1-1
Los Angeles Avengers 3 2 0 111 113 0-1
Arizona Rattlers 2 3 0 85 112 0-1
Week 5 Scores (Home team in ALL CAPS)
Detroit 38, NEW YORK 22
ALBANY 20, Grand Rapids 18
NASHVILLE 38, Georgia 21
Tampa Bay 22, ORLANDO 21
Chicago 24, MILWAUKEE 21
IOWA 39, Dallas 28
Arizona 24, SAN JOSE 10
Los Angeles 16, COLORADO 14
Week 6 Games
Detroit (2-3) at Georgia (2-3) (Drive -3)
Grand Rapids (3-2) at Tampa Bay (3-2) (Storm -5)
Albany (3-2) at Orlando (1-4) (Firebirds -2)
New York (0-5) at Nashville (3-2) (Kats -12)
Chicago (4-1) at Arizona (2-3) (Rush -1)
Dallas (1-4) at Los Angeles (3-2) (Avengers -8)
Iowa (3-2) at Colorado (4-1) (Barnstormers -1)
Milwaukee (3-2) at San Jose (3-2) (Sabercats -1)

AFL: Los Angeles Beats Colorado, 16-14

Game Statistics  Season  2  Week  5

              1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q OT Final
Avengers      3 10 0 3 0 16
Crush          0 0 0 14 0 14
 Q   Time  Team  ld  SCORING SUMMARY
 1   4:56  LA     3  Carmon Grimes 46 yd FIELD GOAL
 2   3:19  LA    46  Carmon Grimes 47 yd FIELD GOAL
 2   0:49  LA    15  W Guess 3 yard pass from I Keough TD (C Grimes kick)
 4  12:44  COL   99  G Wild 11 yard pass from H Thom TD (E Ginger kick)
 4   9:13  LA    31  Carmon Grimes 53 yd FIELD GOAL
 4   1:00  COL   88  A Croft 21 yard pass from H Thom TD (E Ginger kick)

       Avengers                               Crush
             18     FIRST DOWNS                  18
              9        by Rush                    2
              6        by Pass                   16
              3        by Pen                     0
        61  250     TOTAL OFFENSE           61  314
        36  174        RUSHING              23   64
        25   76        PASSING              38  250
       24 12  1     Att-Comp-Int           37 24  0
           1  8        Sacks-LAP               1 10
        3 11 27     3rd Down Pct            4 12 33
        0  0  0     4th Down Pct            1  1100
         1    1     Fumbles/Lost             1    1
         6   37     Penalties/Yds            8   55
          30:43     Time of Poss              29:17
             43     Missed FGs                     

RUSHING & RECEIVING
Name          Att Yds TDs Lng Rec Yds TDs Lng
Willie Guess    6 33   0 11   1   3   1   3
Cameron Devlin   4 24   0 14   0   0   0   0
Chip Kindrick 22 83   0 12   1 13   0 13
Igor Keough      2   6   0   6   0   0   0   0
Keifer Dance    1 14   0 14   2 21   0 22
Alfie Tharp      1 14   0 14   3   6   0   6
Chad Cushing    0   0   0   0   2 11   0   8
Ken Lavue        0   0   0   0   1   3   0   3
Clovis Awtrey   0   0   0   0   1 11   0 11
Spike Vosburg   0   0   0   0   1 16   0 16
AVENGERS      36 174   0 14 12 84   1 22

PASSING
Name          Att Com Int Yds TDs Lng Sck LAP
Willie Guess  23 11   1 81   0 22   1   8
Igor Keough      1   1   0   3   1   3   0   0
AVENGERS      24 12   1 84   1 22   1   8

KICK RETURNS
Name            KoR     Yds     TDs     Lng     PuR     Yds     TDs      FC  Lng
Chip Kindrick   0   0   0   0   3 15   0   0   12
Alfie Tharp      1 24   0 24   0   0   0   0    0
Hack Jarrod      2 15   0 15   0   0   0   0    0
AVENGERS        3 39   0 24   3 15   0   0   12

PUNTING
Name            Pnt     Yds     Bkd     Ret     Yds      FC      TB    In20  Lng
Nino Schwarz      2      93       0       0       0       0       0       2   50
AVENGERS          2      93       0       0       0       0       0       2   50

SACKS AND INTERCEPTIONS
Name           Sack     Int     Yds      TD     Lng
Vic Cowan        1   0   0   0   0
AVENGERS        1   0   0   0   0

RUSHING & RECEIVING
Name          Att Yds TDs Lng Rec Yds TDs Lng
Howton Thom      3 21   0 16   0   0   0   0
Aaron Yarnell   4 14   0   6   3 35   0 17
Valentine Mill 10 37   0 10   4 13   0 13
Regis Duck      5   4   0   5   0   0   0   0
Tyler Howell    0   0   0   0   4 56   0 24
Joe Foss        0   0   0   0   4 40   0 17
Gitch Wild      0   0   0   0   3 22   1 11
Cobey Meyer      0   0   0   0   1 10   0 10
Sandy Kelley    0   0   0   0   3 60   0 30
Antony Croft    0   0   0   0   2 24   1 21
Michael Chilto   1 -12   0 -12   0   0   0   0
CRUSH          23 64   0 16 24 260   2 30

PASSING
Name          Att Com Int Yds TDs Lng Sck LAP
Howton Thom    36 23   0 250   2 30   1 10
Michael Chilto   1   1   0 10   0 10   0   0
CRUSH          37 24   0 260   2 30   1 10

KICK RETURNS
Name            KoR     Yds     TDs     Lng     PuR     Yds     TDs      FC  Lng
Valentine Mill   3 42   0 16   0   0   0   0    0
JC Holman        2 36   0 21   0   0   0   0    0
CRUSH            5 78   0 21   0   0   0   0    0

PUNTING
Name            Pnt     Yds     Bkd     Ret     Yds      FC      TB    In20  Lng
Michael Chilto    4     189       0       3      15       0       0       1   65
CRUSH             4     189       0       3      15       0       0       1   65

SACKS AND INTERCEPTIONS
Name           Sack     Int     Yds      TD     Lng
Eric Adcock      1   0   0   0   0
Jordy Word      0   1   1   0   1
CRUSH            1   1   1   0   1

Sunday, September 10, 2017

AFL: Rattlers Stun Sabercats, 24-10

Game Statistics  Season  2  Week  5

              1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q OT Final
Rattlers      0 14 3 7 0 24
Sabercats      7 3 0 0 0 10
 Q   Time  Team  ld  SCORING SUMMARY
 1   3:49  SJ    56  A Sale 1 yard run TD (E Wycoff kick)
 2  13:05  SJ    64  Ethan Wycoff 33 yd FIELD GOAL
 2   9:28  ARI   20  M Jones 6 yard run TD (B Hamrick kick)
 2   9:12  ARI    0  B Jester 14 yard (opp) fumble return TD (B Hamrick kick)
 3   9:08  ARI   73  Burt Hamrick 24 yd FIELD GOAL
 4  12:34  ARI   69  G Buck 37 yard pass from K Raburn TD (B Hamrick kick)

       Rattlers                           Sabercats
             15     FIRST DOWNS                  18
              5        by Rush                    4
              7        by Pass                   13
              3        by Pen                     1
        63  265     TOTAL OFFENSE           69  290
        26   52        RUSHING              21   33
        37  213        PASSING              48  257
       36 17  2     Att-Comp-Int           46 28  2
           1  8        Sacks-LAP               2 25
        1 15  7     3rd Down Pct            2 13 15
        0  0  0     4th Down Pct            0  2  0
         1    0     Fumbles/Lost             4    4
         8   50     Penalties/Yds            6   44
          29:02     Time of Poss              30:58
             55     Missed FGs                     

RUSHING & RECEIVING
Name          Att Yds TDs Lng Rec Yds TDs Lng
Kadeem Raburn   7 -1   0   3   0   0   0   0
Stomp Navarro   8 22   0 10   3 28   0 18
Melvin Jones    9 41   1 13   3 83   0 32
Braxton Teal    1   0   0   0   1   1   0   1
Griffin Buck    0   0   0   0   2 54   1 37
Shelby Lerti    0   0   0   0   3 12   0   5
Will Meads      0   0   0   0   1   8   0   8
Crockett Rail   0   0   0   0   2 15   0   9
Aaron Sidney    0   0   0   0   1   5   0   5
Arvil Stilson   0   0   0   0   1 15   0 15
Burt Hamrick    1 -10   0 -10   0   0   0   0
RATTLERS      26 52   1 13 17 221   1 37

PASSING
Name          Att Com Int Yds TDs Lng Sck LAP
Kadeem Raburn 36 17   2 221   1 37   1   8
RATTLERS      36 17   2 221   1 37   1   8

KICK RETURNS
Name            KoR     Yds     TDs     Lng     PuR     Yds     TDs      FC  Lng
Louie Grimsley   0   0   0   0   2 14   0   0   13
Will Meads      2 37   0 19   0   0   0   0    0
Otto Pugh        0   0   0   0   1 11   0   0   11
Montrose Gulle   1 26   0 26   0   0   0   0    0
RATTLERS        3 63   0 26   3 25   0   0   13

PUNTING
Name            Pnt     Yds     Bkd     Ret     Yds      FC      TB    In20  Lng
Adrian Alphin     8     364       0       5      26       1       1       2   67
RATTLERS          8     364       0       5      26       1       1       2   67

SACKS AND INTERCEPTIONS
Name           Sack     Int     Yds      TD     Lng
Anson Shipley   1   0   0   0   0
Adam Radecic    1   0   0   0   0
Chris Harrell   0   1   7   0   7
Lloyd Barisch   0   1 12   0 12
RATTLERS        2   2 19   0 12

RUSHING & RECEIVING
Name          Att Yds TDs Lng Rec Yds TDs Lng
Andre Stanfill   2 -6   0 -2   0   0   0   0
Hack McDonald   4 15   0   6   1 17   0 17
Alan Sale      10 26   1 13   3 10   0   7
Scooter Colby   5 -2   0   2   4 35   0 20
Turk Costigan   0   0   0   0 12 126   0 27
Ramon Counce    0   0   0   0   1 12   0 12
Teddy Stacy      0   0   0   0   3 45   0 27
Festus Blanks   0   0   0   0   2   5   0   3
Whitey Drace    0   0   0   0   2 32   0 17
SABERCATS      21 33   1 13 28 282   0 27

PASSING
Name          Att Com Int Yds TDs Lng Sck LAP
Andre Stanfill 46 28   2 282   0 27   2 25
SABERCATS      46 28   2 282   0 27   2 25

KICK RETURNS
Name            KoR     Yds     TDs     Lng     PuR     Yds     TDs      FC  Lng
Hack McDonald   4 72   0 27   0   0   0   0    0
Turk Costigan   1 21   0 21   0   0   0   0    0
Ramon Counce    0   0   0   0   4 29   0   0   13
Claud Flack      0   0   0   0   1 -3   0   1   -3
SABERCATS        5 93   0 27   5 26   0   1   13

PUNTING
Name            Pnt     Yds     Bkd     Ret     Yds      FC      TB    In20  Lng
Panco Rhymer      6     259       0       3      25       0       2       0   46
SABERCATS         6     259       0       3      25       0       2       0   46

SACKS AND INTERCEPTIONS
Name           Sack     Int     Yds      TD     Lng
Van Board        1   0   0   0   0
Gregory Taylor   0   2 36   0 19
SABERCATS        1   2 36   0 19