Commanders and Iron will Meet for the AAF Championship
Birmingham Goes Back to Championship Game
May 19, 2019
Birmingham, AL - The game began with the Guardians getting the ball first, yet four plays and one "Delay of Game" penalty later, QB Josh Freeman tried to pass to RB Andre Williams and his pass got intercepted by Iron LB Pat Angerer, who returned the ball 28 yards for a touchdown. The Guardians would then start their second drive at their own 25-yard line. Despite going 66 yards on 11 plays, the Iron defense forced the Guardians to settle for a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, both teams prevented each other from scoring for most of the period. It wasn't until the final two minutes of the half that the scoring would continue, with Freeman leading a 5-play, 55-yard drive and capping it off with an 8-yard TD pass to WR Rueben Randle. With less than a minute to go in the half, Iron QB Tahj Boyd got a 7-play, 51-yard drive going, yet New York's defense forced Birmingham to settle for a 38-yard field goal, which gave the Iron a 10-7 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, one play was all that was needed on their second drive of the half, as a little trick play helped QB Tahj Boyd get the ball to WR TJ Jones, who in turn completed a 60-yard TD pass to fellow WR L'Damien Washington. The Iron would later continue to pour on their lead, as K Alex Henery kicked a 42-yard field goal to give the Iron a 23-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Iron got their final points of the game, as RB Trent Richardson ran 69 yards for a touchdown. With the Guardians trailing 30-10 with under six minutes to play, they needed points and they needed them fast. They would respond as Freeman lead a 5-play, 64-yard drive and wrap it up with a 17-yard TD pass to WR Hakeem Nicks. On their next drive, Freeman would throw a 19-yard pass to WR DeMarcus Ayers. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late as the Iron would wind the game clock to zero and clinch their second straight championship game appearance.
Iron - 30 Guardians - 24
(10-2)BIRM: QB Tahj Boyd - 10/15 103 yards, RB Trent Richardson - 28 carries, 167 yards, 1 TD, WR L'Damien Washington - 4 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
(7-5)NY: QB Josh Freeman - 25/37 281 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, RB Orleans Darkwa - 18 carries, 52 yards, WR Hakeem Nicks - 8 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Rueben Randle - 5 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD
Commanders Win Defensive Struggle
May 18, 2019
San Antonio, TX - After both teams failed to score on either of their respective opening drives, the Commanders struck first with K Kyle Brindza getting three points on a 53-yard field goal. Near the end of the quarter, the Wildcats got on the board as K Corey Acosta kicked a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Wildcats got the lead for the first time of the game with Acosta kicking a 29-yard field goal on Los Angeles' opening drive of the second quarter. On their next possession, the Wildcats got the ball at their own 19-yard line. Despite an impressive drive, consisting of 12 plays and covering 65 yards, the Commanders' defense made the Wildcats settle a 33-yard field goal instead. Nearing the end of the half, QB Tim Tebow and the Commanders responded with a four-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a 46-yard pass to WR MeKale McKay. So, the score at halftime was 10–9, in favor of the Commanders.
In the only score of the third quarter, the Wildcats used their second drive of the half to cover 74 yards on just four plays and cap it off with a 58-yard pass from QB Josh Johnson to WR DaVaris Daniels. Afterwards, Johnson managed to complete a two-point conversion by passing to WR Donnie Avery. Trailing 17–10 going into the fourth quarter, San Antonio needed to get a least a touchdown to tie. The Commanders would manage to get a seven-play, 68-yard drive and end it with a 17-yard pass to McKay, the score was tied 17–17. On their next possession, the Commanders would use the opportunity to strike, as Tebow threw the game-winning 53-yard touchdown pass to WR Greg Ward. San Antonio would hold off the following Los Angeles drive and go to their first Alliance Championship game.
Commanders - 23 Wildcats - 17
(9-3)SA: QB Tim Tebow - 25/38 308 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Kenneth Farrow - 20 carries, 109 yards, WR MeKale McKay - 12 catches, 157 yards, 2 TDs, WR Greg Ward - 3 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
(8-4)LA: QB Josh Johnson - 30/40 317 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Branden Oliver - 17 carries, 43 yards, WR DaVaris Daniels - 13 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD, WR AJ Jenkins - 6 catches, 70 yards