Eastern Conference Comes down to Iron vs Guardians
Iron Overcome Old Rival Guardians in Late Season Clash
April 28, 2019
Birmingham, AL - This was a very low-scoring affair early on. The score at halftime was 6-3; neither team could get much going. The weather was playing a role; there were some embarrassing drops including a muffed punt return that probably wouldn’t have happened in more ideal conditions. The second half then happened, and the offenses finally warmed up more. Both teams traded scores, making it 14-11. Then the Iron grabbed one more touchdown, and the Guardians never responded.
For the Iron, QB Tahj Boyd would certainly be a standout as he helped lead the team to a win by going 22-for-32 with 244 yards and one touchdown pass. However, WR L'Damien Washington had arguably the biggest day as he pulled in nine catches for 105 yards. He’s been doing quite well in the AAF and may get another shot in the NFL as a result.
There weren’t a lot of big standouts for the Guardians. QB Josh Freeman who went 16-for-22 and 161 yards, didn’t play badly but wasn’t particularly remarkable either. RB Orleans Darkwa had a decent day on the ground, getting 71 yards on 17 carries and got in the end zone for the lone Guardians touchdown as well.
The Iron defense once again did play a good role in helping their team get the win. The Guardians defense did a decent job at holding the Iron down for the first half, although they gave way in the second half.
Iron - 20 Guardians - 11
(8-2)BIRM: QB Tahj Boyd - 22/32 244 yards, 1 TD, RB Trent Richardson - 28 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD, WR L'Damien Washington - 9 catches, 105 yards, WR TJ Jones - 5 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD
(6-4)NY: QB Josh Freeman - 16/22 161 yards, RB Orleans Darkwa - 17 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, RB Andre Williams - 10 carries, 45 yards, WR Hakeem Nicks - 6 catches, 75 yards
Blues - 34 Valor - 41
(8-2)MIA: QB EJ Manuel - 22/34 300 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Denard Robinson - 16 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD, RB Montee Ball - 24 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD, WR Leonard Hankenson - 4 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Kevin White - 9 catches, 90 yards, WR Juron Criner - 5 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
(8-2)DC: QB Cardale Jones - 20/36 288 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, RB Lorenzo Taliaferro - 22 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD, WR Rashod Ross - 4 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD, WR Eli Rogers - 3 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD
Soul - 6 Brigade - 15
(0-10)PHIL: QB Kyle Lauletta - 9/16 39 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Alfred Blue - 22 carries, 139 yards, RB Daniel Lasco - 19 carries, 80 yards, WR Jordan Matthews - 6 catches, 26 yards
(1-9)BAL: QB Tom Savage - 15/25 174 yards, RB Eddie Lacy - 17 carries, 110 yards, RB DJ Foster - 16 carries, 73 yards, WR Aaron Dobson - 5 catches, 114 yards, WR Marlon Brown - 4 catches, 41 yards
Express - 14 Storm - 17
(1-9)MEM: QB Brandon Silvers - 18/26 150 yards, 1 TD, RB Zac Stacy - 26 carries, 114 yards, WR Brice Butler - 8 catches, 68 yards
(2-8)TB: QB Brad Kaaya - 25/40 330 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Alex Collins - 10 carries, 40 yards, WR Kelvin Benjamin - 8 catches, 127 yards, WR Rashad Greene - 5 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
Gladiators - 20 Predators - 27
(7-3)CLE: QB Brock Osweiler - 25/38 216 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, RB Jeremy Hill - 23 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD, WR Josh Doctson - 6 catches, 76 yards, WR Carlos Henderson - 6 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
(4-6)ORL: QB Garrett Gilbert - 25/41 239 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, RB Akeem Hunt - 18 carries, 74 yards, WR Donte Moncrief - 8 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD, WR Charles Johnson - 6 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
Fleet - 30 Dragons - 12
(6-4)SD: QB Colin Kaepernick - 16/30 229 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Kapri Bibbs - 20 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD, WR Martavis Bryant - 5 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD, WR Braxton Miller - 3 catches, 67 yards
(3-7)SEA: QB BJ Daniels - 28/49 210 yards, 2 INTs, RB Thomas Rawls - 14 carries, 66 yards, WR TJ Graham - 11 catches, 80 yards
Alphas - 27 Wildcats - 34
(4-6)CHI: QB Aaron Murray - 20/37 244 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Jacques Patrick - 21 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD, RB De'Veon Smith - 16 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD, WR Antonio Callaway - 8 catches, 104 yards, WR Shaq Evans - 7 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD
(6-4)LA: QB Josh Johnson - 24/36 306 yards, 3 TDs, RB Branden Oliver - 16 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD, WR DaVaris Daniels - 8 catches, 194 yards, 3 TDs, WR AJ Jenkins - 4 catches, 71 yards
Commanders - 23 Roughnecks - 32
(8-2)SA: QB Tim Tebow - 14/22 114 yards, RB Kenneth Farrow - 27 carries, 100 yards, 3 TDs, WR MeKale McKay - 6 catches, 76 yards
(8-2)HOU: QB Jalen Hurts - 27/38 351 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, RB Karlos Williams - 22 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs, WR Cam Phillips - 10 catches, 122 yards, 2 TDs, WR Sammie Coates - 6 catches, 95 yards, WR Cobi Hamilton - 4 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
Generals - 9 Conquerors - 29
(1-9)COL: QB Tyler Bray - 19/31 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB CJ Anderson - 21 carries, 112 yards, WR Jaelen Strong - 4 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD, WR Quinton Patton - 3 catches, 41 yards
(4-6)LV: QB Ryan Mallett - 12/18 119 yards, RB Terrance West - 15 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD, RB Zach Zenner - 16 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD, WR Brandon Coleman - 6 catches, 61 yards
*Renegades - 0 Stallions - 25
(6-4)DAL: QB Landry Jones - 10/24 75 yards, 1 INT, RB Cameron Artis-Payne - 13 carries, 46 yards, WR Terrence Williams - 6 catches, 50 yards
(7-3)STL: QB Paxton Lynch - 24/31 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Matt Jones - 24 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD, RB Christine Michael - 21 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD, WR Terrelle Pryor - 7 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
*Landry Jones injured in 2nd quarter. Did not return to the game.
Hurts Drafted in NFL's 3rd Round
April 29, 2019
New York, NY - Houston Roughnecks' rookie QB Jalen Hurts was drafted in the third round on the National Football League's Rookie Draft, 87th overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts is projected to make $2.8M over his first three seasons with the Eagles.
Before leaving the University of Alabama for the AAF, Hurts was projected to be a 7th round draft selection after losing his starting to position to Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts is not expected to sign with the Eagles until his AAF season has concluded.
“I owe my current position to Coach (Mack) Brown, Coach (Major) Applewhite, Mr. (Vince) McMahon, Mr. (Charlie) Ebersol and owner Mr. (Jim) Crane. Without them taking a chance on me, I'm not sure where I'd be right now. Of course. I'm going to finish out my goal with my teammates and I hope I show younger guys that they're not stuck in their situations in college.”