Chicago Alphas and Birmingham Iron Win First Round
Alphas Take Care of Los Angeles
April 22, 2017
Chicago, IL - What a clash of styles in Chicago for the Western Conference Wildcard. The Alphas ran the ball 37 times, and only passed it 14 times, while the Wildcats chucked it 52 times compared to only 9 rushing attempts. Maybe it was because the Alphas got out on top early and the Wildcats were playing catch up or maybe it was the young Head Coach Scott Milanovich panicking in his first playoff game but Chicago moves on.
Chicago was up 14-6 after a first quarter that saw both teams score every time they touched the ball. The 2nd quarter started off the same way, Chicago got a 1 yard touchdown pass from QB Aaron Murray to TE LaDarius Green, and then the Wildcats had to settle for K Corey Acosta's third FG of the game to make the score 21-9 at halftime.
Both teams would tack on a FG in the third quarter giving us our final score. Los Angeles came up short on two more trips to the red zone in the fourth quarter on fourth downs.
Wildcats - 12 Alphas - 24
(5-5)LA: QB Jimmy Clausen - 24/52 222 yards, 1 INT, RB Kendall Hunter - 9 carries, 53 yards, WR DaVaris Daniels - 6 catches, 64 yards, WR AJ Jenkins - 10 catches, 63 yards
(7-3)CHI: QB Aaron Murray - 8/14 69 yards, 2 TDs, RB Ryan Mathews - 21 carries, 141 yards, 1 TD, RB Juwan Thompson - 16 carries, 71 yards, WR Shaq Evans - 3 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD
Offense Secondary in Iron vs Guardian Clash
April 23, 2017
New York, NY - A rain storm hit at half time and the game was over. There was mud everywhere and neither team could get a firm grip on the ball, offenses stood still. Not only did this play in the favor of the visiting Iron because of the way their team is built, but because of their halftime lead of 14-10.
New York Guardians QB Josh Freeman hit WR Devier Posey for a 9 yard touchdown pass on the first drive of the game and no one thought that would be the end of their offensive display. The Iron got a 16 yard touchdown run from RB Trent Richardson and a 2 yard plunge from RB Peyton Hillis in the 2nd quarter that ended up being the game winner.
Iron - 14 Guardians - 10
(7-3)BIRM: QB Tahj Boyd - 11/19 106 yards, RB Trent Richardson - 30 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD, RB Peyton Hillis - 13 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD, WR Kaelin Clay - 4 catches, 47 yards
(8-2)NY: QB Josh Freeman - 11/22 127 yards, 1 TD, RB Ahmad Bradshaw - 16 carries, 120 yards, WR Devier Posey - 7 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD