Commanders, Wildcats, Guardians and Iron Play On
Commanders Win Defensive Struggle
May 11, 2019
San Antonio, TX - In this low-scoring affair, the San Antonio Commanders struck first when they went 51 yards on 11 plays in the opening drive, but they could only come up with a 21-yard field goal by K Kyle Brindza. The Stallions responded with their opening drive, by going 75 yards on only three plays and gracefully capping it off with a 36-yard run by RB Christine Michael. In the second quarter, the Stallions increased their lead by going 52 yards on 12 plays, yet ending up with a 32-yard field goal by K Kai Forbath The Commanders managed to respond on an eight-play, 34-yard drive, but the Stallions defense made San Antonio settle for a 23-yard field goal by Brindza. Heading into halftime, the Stallions led 10–6 and feeling confident.
In the second half of the game, both sides failed to score a single point in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, it seemed like the Stallions had the game all but won. However, the Commanders refused to go down without a fight. Getting the ball with 5:07 left on the clock, Commanders QB Tim Tebow led his team on an eight-play, 43-yard drive that was not only time-consuming, but Commanders RB Kenneth Farrow scored the game-winning touchdown from a yard out. Even though the Stallions got the ball back and managed to gel some reasonable yardage, Forbath's 40-yard field goal attempt (which would have tied the game up) went wide left, preserving the Commanders' small lead and giving them the game.
Commanders - 13 Stallions - 10
(9-3)SA: QB Tim Tebow - 9/20 125 yards, RB Kenneth Farrow - 24 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD, WR Greg Ward - 4 catches, 70 yards
(9-3)STL: QB Paxton Lynch - 17/30 187 yards, 1 INT, RB Christine Michael - 16 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD, RB Matt Jones - 13 carries, 45 yards, WR Kaelin Clay - 5 catches, 88 yards
Wildcats Pull the Upset
May 11, 2019
Houston, TX - The Wildcats drew first blood with QB Josh Johnon completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR AJ Jenkins (followed with a failed PAT). Afterwards, Johnson went right back to work with a 35-yard flea-flicker TD pass to WR DaVaris Daniels. In the second quarter, the Roughnecks finally got going with QB Jalen Hurts completing a 24-yard TD pass to WR Sammie Coates, but Los Angeles responded with RB Branden Oliver getting a 33-yard TD run. Houston answered with RB D'Onta Foreman getting a 5-yard TD run right before the half.
In the third quarter, Houston played some catch-up with Hurts completing a 24-TD pass to WR Cam Phillips. However, Los Angeles would eventually respond with Johnson completing a 51-yard TD pass to WR Nelson Spruce. Houston would eventually get one last score with RB Karlos Williams getting a 2-yard TD run at the end of the third quarter. However, in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats took control for the rest of the game. They would get the only score of the quarter with Johnson hooking up again with Daniels on a 10-yard TD pass.
Roughnecks - 28 Wildcats - 34
(10-2)HOU: QB Jalen Hurts - 23/39 299 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Karlos Williams - 18 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Cam Phillips - 7 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD, WR Sammie Coates - 3 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
(8-4)LA: QB Josh Johnson - 20/27 347 yards, 4 TDs, RB Branden Oliver - 16 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD, WR DaVaris Daniels - 5 catches, 127 yards, 2 TDs, WR AJ Jenkins - 7 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
Valor Fail to Deliver at Home
May 12, 2019
Washington, DC - With the help of 48,783 fans, Washington was able to go deep into Guardians territory on their opening drive, but New York's defense managed to hold its ground, limiting the Valor to a 38-yard field goal by K Travis Coons. The Guardians had their fans in the game after K Casey Spear's 25-yard field goal tied the game at 3–3. However, the Valor managed to take advantage of a defensive pass interference penalty, eventually setting up RB Lorenzo Taliaferro's four-yard touchdown run. However, the touchdown would come at a price. Taliaferro injured his hamstring shortly after the play and he would have to leave the game. This would put the Valor in the passing lane, rather than their normal running game.
In the second quarter, the Guardians would respond to Valor touchdown by QB Josh Freeman connect with WR Charone Peake on an 11-yard touchdown pass. When New York got the ball back, Freeman and Peake hooked up with each other again, with a 32-yard touchdown pass. After both teams each had two failed drives, the Guardians entered halftime, leading 17–10.
In the third quarter, the Valor got back in the game by recovering a fumble and then, capping off an eight-play, 25-yard drive with QB Cardale Jones throwing a five-yard pass to WR Rashod Ross. However, New York responded with a seven-play, 40-yard drive that ended with a three-yard run by RB Andre Williams. Near the beginning of the fourth quarter, Freeman concluded a 14-play, 98-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to WR Hakeem Nicks. Down 31–17, the Valor had to get a lot of points really fast. They responded with a two-yard touchdown run by RB Donnell Pumphrey. However, the Guardians managed to put the game away, with Freeman leading a nine-play, 80-yard drive that ended with WR Hakeem Nicks catching a seven-yard touchdown pass.
Valor - 24 Guardians - 38
(10-2)DC: QB Cardale Jones - 20/33 285 yards, 1 TD, RB Donnell Pumphrey - 10 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD, WR Rashod Ross - 6 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
(7-5)NY: QB Josh Freeman - 24/35 313 yards, 4 TDs, RB Orleans Darkwa - 17 carries, 68 yards, WR Charone Peake - 4 catches, 89 yards, 2 TDs, WR Hakeem Nicks - 7 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD
Iron Defense Shuts Down Spurrier, Manuel and the Rest of the Blues
May 12, 2019
Birmingham, AL - In a low-scoring first half, the Iron struck first with 1:55 left in the first quarter. Birmingham DL Terrence Cody sacked Blues QB EJ Manuel in the end zone for a safety. However, in the second quarter, the Blues would respond with a 7-play, 55-yard drive that ended with Miami RB Denard Robinson running 12 yards for a touchdown. It gave the Blues a 7–2 halftime lead. However, these seven points would be all that the Blues would score.
In the third quarter, Birmingham QB Tahj Boyd led his team on an 8-play, 66-yard drive that ended with RB Trent Richardson running 4 yards for a touchdown. On their next possession, Birmingham K Alex Henery kicking a 29-yard field goal, which would give the Iron a 12–7 lead going into the final quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Miami Blues couldn't get any points onto the board, as Birmingham's defense closed any hope of a comeback.
Meanwhile, the Iron offense, widened their lead with a 14-play, 62-yard drive that was capped off with a 37-yard field goal by Henery. On their next possession, Birmingham delivered the final nail for the Miami coffin as Richardson capped off a 3-play, 74-yard drive with a 12-yard dash to the end zone for a touchdown.
Iron - 22 Blues - 7
(10-2)BIRM: QB Tahj Boyd - 7/19 75 yards, RB Trent Richardson - 22 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD, RB LaDarius Perkins - 19 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD, WR L'Damien Washington - 3 catches, 47 yards
(8-4)MIA: QB EJ Manuel - 13/26 126 yards, 1 INT, RB Denard Robinson - 18 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD, WR Leonard Hankerson - 9 catches, 81 yards