Fleet vs Apollos Next Week for the Alliance Championship
Orlando Looking for Repeat
May 22, 2022
Orlando, FL - QB Garrett Gilbert and the Orlando Apollos came into the game flush with confidence and it showed as they put up 442 yards of offense. QB Gilbert would go 26 for 33 for the day and find WR Jalin Marshall twice for scores. RB De'Veon Smith also found his playoff legs as he would run for 107 yards and a score as Orlando overpowered the Defenders.
The Defenders tried to keep pace, and got an early score from RB Todd Gurley as they hung tough 14-10 at the half, but when RB Gurley went out injured in the 3rd quarter you could see the air go out of Atlanta's entire squad in the second half. QB Cardale Jones completed only 2 of 11 passing and the Apollos shut down the run on their way to the 14 point victory.
Apollos - 24 Defenders - 10
(9-3)ORL: QB Garrett Gilbert - 26/33 273 yards, 2 TDs, RB De'Veon Smith - 18 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD, WR Jalin Marshall - 4 catches, 63 yards, 2 TDs, WR Charles Johnson - 8 catches, 105 yards
(8-4)ATL: QB Cardale Jones - 12/26 183 yards, 1 INT, RB Todd Gurley - 17 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD, WR Justice Liggins - 6 catches, 100 yards
Roughnecks Couldn't Rally Behind QB Connor Cook
May 21, 2022
Houston, TX - Many had Houston as a prohibitive favorite going into the game, but many also gave up on that image when they saw QB PJ Walker go down on the third drive of the game, after a vicious hit from Fleet LB AJ Tarpley sent QB Walker to the sideline with possible rib injuries. At the time of the hit, Houston was ahead 17-7, but few expected that backup QB Connor Cook could do enough to hold on to victory.
Fleet QB Colin Kaepernick was efficient, throwing short passes and play action, and WR Marquis Lee helped him out with a beautiful one hand catch on a 17-yard TD catch, Kaepernick’s only scoring throw. Houston would only manage to kick two field goals the rest of the way behind their anemic offense.
After the Fleet grabbed the 28-23 lead with only five minutes to go in the game, Roughnecks' QB PJ Walker tried to play hero but the injury was too much. QB Walker was clearly nearly healthy enough to save the Roughnecks season as he threw a lame duck to Fleet DB Ron Brooks that sealed the game.
Roughnecks - 23 Fleet - 28
(10-2): QB PJ Walker - 9/14 125 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB D'Onta Foreman - 16 carries, 62 yards, RB Alfred Blue - 19 carries, 53 yards, WR Cam Phillips - 4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
(9-3)SD: QB Colin Kaepernick - 18/23 213 yards, 1 TD, RB Kapri Bibbs - 22 carries, 111 yards, 2 TDs, WR Martavis Bryant - 5 catches, 75 yards, WR Marquis Lee - 4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD
I got Orlando over San Diego for the repeat