ATLANTA-The Georgia Force withstood a fourth-quarter comeback attempt to defeat the Orlando Predators 26-18 in a Week 11 AFL game and officially eliminate the Predators from the AFL Southern Division race.
Orlando began the game with possession, and drove into position for Abel White to attempt a 52-yard field goal. But his kick was blocked by Wesley Evins who recovered it at the Georgia 48-yard line. Three plays later, Augustus Bahr, acquired from Iowa last offseason in the Norm Damron trade, fired a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tinker Trice giving the Force a 7-0 lead with 10:10 to go in the first quarter.
After trading punts, the Predators got moving with a 10-play, 75-yard drive. White opened the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal to make it 7-3. Georgia would respond, marching 78 yards on 16 plays. Bahr would throw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Raven Bannon to give the Force a 14-3 lead with 7:49 remaining in the half. The teams traded punts again, then Tyrone Pickney would sack Woodrow Richardson and cause a fumble. Pete Love recovered for Georgia at his own 41-yard line. Nine plays later, Bahr would run in on a 10-yard scramble for a touchdown to make it 21-3 with 12 seconds left in the half.
Georgia would punt to open the second half, and Orlando looked to get on the board, but White's 33-yard field goal attempt went wide. Yannel Gansz came in at the start of the half replacing Bahr, and he directed an 8-play, 43-yard drive that ended with Wilbur Ahmad kicking a 51-yard field goal to make it 24-3 with 4:48 to go in the third quarter. On the Predators' next possession, Richardson was chased hither and yon 22 yards back of the line of scrimmage. Horatio Chipman ultimately corralled Richardson in the end zone for a safety to make it 26-3 with 3:45 to go in the third. After Clem Foulks fumbled on a handoff and Ham Sheets recovered for Orlando at the Force 40-yard line, Richardson took three plays to finally find the end zone, hitting Gene Crosby for a 2-yard touchdown pass to make it 26-10 with 1:13 to go in the third quarter.
The Force punted early in the fourth quarter. Richardson tried to drive for a score, but Alfred Pinkston short-circuited the drive with an interception at the Georgia 44-yard line. But Gansz would be stripped of the ball by Morris Buck and Artie Damon recovered for the Predators at the Force 33-yard line. Six plays later, Richardson hit Isaiah O'Connell for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Orlando successfully converted for two, and trailed 26-18 with 8:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. After Bo Bull returned the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to the Preadtors' 29-yard line, he fumbled on the next play, and Sheets recovered at the 27. The Predators would get turned away on fourth down at the Georgia 35-yard line. The Force would punt, and Orlando was at their own 20-yard line with 1:04 left. Richardson managed to reach the Georgia 44-yard line with 2 seconds to go, but his pass to O'Connell was ultimately short of the end zone on the last play.
Georgia (6-5) gained 293 yards of total offense. The Force ran for 115 yards on 34 carries. Bull led the team with 43 yards on 13 carries. Bahr was 9-of-15 passing for 126 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked once for a 6-yard loss. Gansz went 7-of-11 for 68 yards and was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. Bannon led the receivers with 6 catches for 39 yards and a TD. Trice caught 5 passes for 127 yards and a TD. The Force host the Albany Firebirds next week.
Orlando (1-10) gained 357 yards of total offense. The Predators ran for 72 yards on 16 carries. D.J. Giles led the team with 25 yards on 5 carries. Richardson was 29-of-48 passing for 331 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 46 yards. O'Connell led the receivers with 6 catches for 64 yards and a TD. Crsoby caught 5 passes for 91 yards and a TD. Next week, the Predators will host the Detroit Drive.
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