Nineteen entertaining, fun, and glorious weeks are in the books, which means that the 2013 Arena Football regular season has been completed. After 126 games and approximately 7,560 minutes of AFL action, we have our field of eight setup for the drive to Arena Bowl 26 in Orlando on Saturday, August 17th. Here's a look at the final standings and the official playoff pairings.
Final Regular Season Standings:
American Conference Overall Record (Division Record)East Division x = clinched playoff berth
yPhiladelphia Soul 12-6 (2-2) y = clinched division
(E)Cleveland Gladiators 4-14 (2-2) z = clinched home field advantage
(E)Pittsburgh Power 4-14 (2-2) (E) = eliminated
South Division
zJacksonville Sharks 12-6 (6-0)
xOrlando Predators 7-11 (2-4)
xTampa Bay Storm 7-11 (2-4)
(E)New Orleans VooDoo 5-13 (2-4)
National Conference
Central Division
yChicago Rush 10-8 (2-2)
(E)San Antonio Talons 10-8 (2-2)
(E)Iowa Barnstormers 6-12 (2-2)
West Division
zArizona Rattlers 15-3 (4-2)
xSpokane Shock 14-4 (4-2)
xSan Jose Sabercats 13-5 (3-3)
(E)Utah Blaze 7-11 (1-5)
The 2013 Playoff Picture
American Conference National Conference
1 Seed) Jacksonville Arizona
2 Seed) Philadelphia Chicago
3 Seed) Orlando Spokane
4 Seed) Tampa Bay San Jose
Explanation of Seeding Tiebreakers
- Chicago has the tiebreak over San Antonio based on point spread vs. common opponents (Won by approximately 115-120 point advantage after week 18 games); giving Chicago the Central Division.
- Jacksonville had the head-to-head over Philadelphia; giving the Sharks home field in the A.C.
- Orlando had a 5-7 (0.417) conference record, which was better than Tampa Bay who had a 4-6 (0.400) conference record; giving the Predators the three seed and the Storm the four seed in the A.C.
First Round (Conference Semifinal) Schedule
Thursday
10 p.m. EST - Chicago at Spokane
Saturday
7 p.m. EST - Orlando at Philadelphia (CBS Sports Network)
7 p.m. EST - Tampa Bay at Jacksonville
Sunday
7 p.m. EST - San Jose at Arizona
For more:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/arenabowl/
Monday, July 29, 2013
AFL: Week 19 Recap
As we begin the final week of July, we also have the last week of the AFL season to entertain us. Entering week nineteen there are still some things up for grabs in each conference's playoff picture. For the final time in 2013 -- fourteen teams, seven games, let's go!
Spokane Shock 61, Pittsburgh Power 43
The Power made a cross-country trip to Deaf Valley to face the playoff ready Shock on the final Friday night game of the season. Scenarios: Spokane: with a win and an Arizona loss have a case for the west division, but as of now they are locked into the national conference three seed. Pittsburgh: already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Power entered a rowdy environment and were un-phased on their opening drive that spanned nine plays, five minutes and resulted in a three-yard touchdown pass from Shane Austin to Christian Wise. Spokane only needed two plays to strike back, as Erik Meyer's first completion of the night was a 37-yard deep ball that found a wide-open Adron Tennell for six. The quick score was the beginning of a very quick string of 20 unanswered points by Spokane. Kamar Jorden made a net recovery in the Power end zone on the ensuing kickoff and Terrance Taylor intercepted Austin on the first snap of the following drive in his own end zone to quickly provide the points. Shane Austin got Pittsburgh back into the game with consecutive completions to Christian Wise that went totaled 45 yards and a second touchdown. Just when it looked as if Spokane was going to respond with another six of their own, the Power defense made a critical goal-line stand to begin the second quarter. The stand by the black and gold started a streak of five consecutive stops by the defenses; featuring an interception by Terence Moore and Sergio Gilliam. The scoring resumed with 5:52 left in the quarter when Mike Washington hauled in a 25-yard touchdown that gave a 21-20 lead to Pittsburgh. After seeing Spokane quickly multiply their lead earlier, it was the Power's turn to do so, as on Spokane's next play Kirby Griffin sacked Meyer in his own end zone for a safety and six plays later Washington caught a four-yard score. Erik Meyer quickly found Brandon Thompkins for a 45-yard touchdown to close the gap to 30-27 in the final minute of the half. Pittsburgh had 46 seconds to work with and it proved to be enough for Shane Austin to complete three of four passes, extending the Power's lead to 36-27 on a nine-yard screen pass to Jason Thomas who rumbled in for six. Spokane began the second half trailing by nine, but completely turned the game around with a dominating 30 minutes of Arena Football. Erik Meyer led a five-play, 43-yard drive that cut the gap to two on a nineteen-yard grab by Adron Tennell. James Ruffin and Beau Bell combined for a fourth-down sack that capped off a stop on downs, and the Shock reclaimed the lead at 7:15 in the third quarter on Tennell's thirteen-yard touchdown. A seven-play, five-minute drive went nowhere for the Power, and a 40 seconds into the fourth quarter found themselves trailing 47-36 after a one-yard run by Erik Meyer. Pittsburgh's third series of the second half produced the same result as the previous two when Richard Dodd-Masters intercepted Shane Austin at Spokane's four-yard line. Three plays and two completions later Meyer tossed a 24-yard score to Adron Tennell that expanded the lead to eighteen with under ten minutes to play. Austin and Meyer each traded touchdown passes over the next seven minutes to keep the margin at eighteen with 1:50 remaining. Pittsburgh's final possession of the season ended in appropriate fashion, a turnover on downs when Shane Austin completed a four-yard pass to Julian Talley that was stopped six yards shy of the marker. Arvell Nelson took the final snap of the night and plunged forward for a yard to finalize the Shock's 61-43 victory. Spokane takes a big amount of momentum into the playoffs with a dominating second half that led to their 14th win of the season, while the Power finish 4-14.
Stat Leaders:
Pittsburgh (4-14) Spokane (14-4)
Shane Austin 32-61, 315 yds, 6TD, 3 Int Erik Meyer 18-30, 249 yds, 6TD, 2 Int; Rush TD
Christian Wise 13 rec, 143 yds, 2 TD Adron Tennell 10 rec, 131 yds, 5 TD
Mike Washington 9 rec, 86 yds, 2 TD Brandon Thompkins 6 rec, 104 yds, TD
Sergio Gilliam/Alvin Ray Jackson Int each Paul Stephens 10 tackles
Kirby Griffin sack and safety Terrance Taylor Int-ret TD
Jacksonville Sharks 52, Tampa Bay Storm 44
Two south division foes squared-off in the Shark Tank, in what could be a preview of a first round playoff game. Scenarios: Jacksonville: with a win and a Philadelphia loss clinch home field in the American Conference. Tampa Bay: with a win or an Orlando loss clinch the three seed.
Bernard Morris got the start for the Sharks and began the game with five straight completions, but the streak and opening drive stopped at five when his sixth pass was intercepted by Jean Fanor at Tampa Bay's seven-yard line. Shane Boyd made his first start of the season for Tampa Bay and gave them an early 7-0 lead with a pair of completions and a one-yard touchdown run. Morris answered back with three straight completions on Jacksonville's second series and tied the game on a one-yard run of his own to cap off a six-play scoring drive. Boyd had the Storm on them move with two quick completions, but back-to-back misfires setup a third-and-ten to begin the second period. Shane Boyd took the snap and tried to scramble when he couldn't find an open receiver, but Jamaal Fudge stayed in the jack-box and applied a hit that allowed him to force and recover a fumble. The Sharks' third possession was an eventful one that after a pair of incompletions saw Bernard Morris be injured on a play that featured four penalties; three by Tampa Bay. Kyle Rowley was forced into the game, and put on a show for the Shark Tank faithful. Rowley's first pass was a fourteen-yard completion to Markee White, which setup Shamar Graves for a three-yard run on the next play that gave Jacksonville its first lead. Shane Boyd and Kyle Rowley traded a touchdown pass and run on their next two possessions which kept the difference at seven. Tampa Bay had the last crack of the first half with 29 seconds to go, but Juan Bongarra's 30-yard field goal went wide to the left to send the Sharks into the break up by 28-21. Boyd began the third quarter with a pair of completions to Joe Hills, the second a nineteen-yard touchdown. Kyle Rowley got the Sharks started on a good note on their seven-play scoring drive to begin the half, completing three straight passes for 36 yards to Shamar Graves that allowed Marco Capozzoli to attempt and make a 22-yard field goal. Jacksonville created some space when Tracy Belton intercepted a Shane Boyd pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown with 3:48 left in the third. The Sharks quickly added another defensive touchdown when Derrick Summers forced a fumble while sacking Boyd two plays into Tampa Bay's next drive and Jamaal Fudge scooped up the lose ball and returned it for a score. The Sharks held 45-28 lead until 4:28 in the fourth quarter when Jason Cherry was the recipient of an eight-yard touchdown, that with Boyd's two-point run cut the deficit to nine. Jacksonville recovered Bongarra's immediate onside kick and Rowley found Graves for an eleven-yard score to bolster the lead back to sixteen with two minutes to play. After each defense made a quick stop, Shane Boyd found Jason Cherry for a six-yard touchdown and hit Joe Hills for another conversion to make it an eight-point game with twelve seconds remaining. The thought of a wild finish vanished when Josh Philipart recovered the onside attempt and Kyle Rowley gained three yards on what would be the last play of the game to secure a 52-44 win for the Sharks. Both teams are headed to the playoffs, as the win moved Jacksonville to 12-6 and put pressure on Philadelphia to win in San Antonio to determine who would get home field advantage in the American Conference. The Storm will literally limp into the playoffs with a 7-11 record, losing eight out of their last nine games. Shamar Graves had a great return-debut for the Sharks, leading the team with thirteen catches for 108 yards and a pair of scores.
Stat Leaders:
Tampa Bay (7-11) Jacksonville (12-6)
Shane Boyd 27-42, 315 yds, 4TD, Kyle Rowley 13-16, 123 yds, 3 Total TD
Int; 2 Rush TD Bernard Morris 8-11, 73 yds, Rush TD, Int
Joe Hills 11 rec, 144 yds, TD Shamar Graves 13 rec, 108 yds, 2 Total TD
Jason Cherry 10 rec, 116 yds, 2 TD Josh Philipart 6 rec, 52 yds, TD
Rashaad Barksdale 13 tackles Tracy Belton Int
Jean Fanor Int, Fumb Rec Jamaal Fudge 2 Fumb Rec
Marco Capozzoli 1-1 FG (22). 7-7 PAT
Orlando Predators 71, New Orleans VooDoo 42
A divisional meeting between two teams with losing records held the most at stake in week nineteen. The VooDoo traveled into the Jungle knowing that it was win or go home. Scenarios: Orlando: clinch a playoff berth with a win, since Tampa Bay lost they would get the top A.C. wild card spot. eliminated with a loss. New Orleans: clinched the final A.C. wild card spot with a win, eliminated with a loss.
Chris Dixon started the action with a 22-yard completion to Courtney Smith, but fumbled four plays later as he was being sacked by Prentice Purnell. Aaron Garcia got the Preds on the board with three quick completions to Prechae Rodriguez, the third of which a 20-yard touchdown. Larry Beavers had a lightning-quick answer of his own when he returned the following kick 58 yards for a score. Garcia ended a five-play scoring drive with a 31-yard strike to Maurice Williams, but his counterpart Chris Dixon answered with a fifteen-yard touchdown to Donovan Morgan that tied the game at fourteen. Orlando carried an eleven-play, six-and-half minute drive into the second quarter that gave them the lead on T.T. Toliver's three-yard touchdown. Cortez Stubbs picked off Dixon two plays later and Mykel Benson ended the ensuing five-play drive with a one-yard run that pushed the lead to 28-14. Chris Dixon threw a pair of touchdowns on New Orleans' next two possessions, that sandwiched a 20-yard field goal by Mark Lewis, resulting in a 31-28 Orlando lead 34 seconds before halftime. Aaron Garcia had plenty of time, in which he directed a seven-play, 47-yard drive that gave the Preds a nine-point advantage on his three-yard strike Maurice Williams. The second half got off to a fast start for Orlando when Dominic Jones had a 31-yard return on the opening kick and Garcia connected with Toliver for a 26-yard touchdown on the next play. The half also began well for New Orleans, as Chris Dixon led a five-play drive that cut the margin back to nine on Donovan Morgan's 25-yard touchdown. Orlando answered with a five-play scoring drive of its own that concluded on a two-yard receiver-sweep by Prechae Rodriguez. The Predator defense earned the first stop for either side of the half when they forced Dixon to throw four straight incompletions from inside the red zone. Orlando grew the lead to 22 on the first play of the final period when Aaron Garcia hit Maurice Williams in stride for a 23-yard touchdown. Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a five-play, 39-yard drive that he capped off on a two-yard scamper with 10:35 remaining. Garcia completed all four passes on a penalty-filled four-play, three-minute drive that replenished the lead on Rodriguez's two-yard touchdown grab. New Orleans' playoff hopes ended on their next drive when Chris Dixon was stopped two yards shy of the first down on a fourth-and-seven. Maurice Williams caught a 29-yard touchdown in the final minute to cement a 71-42 victory that earned the 20th playoff appearance in Orlando Predator history. The loss eliminates New Orleans, and because Tampa Bay lost Orlando clinches the final berth and gets the three seed based on a better conference record.
Stat Leaders:
New Orleans (5-13) Orlando (7-11)
Chris Dixon 17-34, 200 yds, 3TD, Aaron Garcia 34-43, 375 yds, 8TD, Int
Int; 31 rush yds, TD Maurice Williams 15 rec, 165 yds, 4 TD
Donovan Morgan 6 rec, 87 yds, 2 TD Prechae Rodriguez 8 rec, 105 yds, 2 TD
Courtney Smith 6 rec, 63 yds T.T. Toliver 5 rec, 69 yds, 2 TD
Larry Beavers 9 kick ret, 204 yds, TD Cortez Stubbs Int
DeMarcus Robinson 13 tackles Prentice Purnell sack, FF
Dwight McClean Int Mark Lewis 1-1 FG (20), 8-10 PAT
Arizona Rattlers 84, Iowa Barnstormers 45
The Rattlers traveled to Iowa looking for an AFL-best fifteenth win. Scenarios: Arizona: a win gives them the west division outright. Iowa: already eliminated.
The defending champs desperately needed to bounce back from a sloppy performance against Chicago and didn't waste any time in doing so. Arizona got the ball to start the game, and on the first play Nick Davila hit an open Rod Windsor who sprinted along the right sidelines and broke a tackle that turned a simple fifteen-yard gain into a 45-yard touchdown. The Barnstormers' opening possession went well, but a nine-play drive ended empty when Marquis Floyd intercepted J.J. Raterink's fourth-and-goal pass. Davila quickly completed a pair of passes, the second of which a 34-yard touchdown to Windsor. The game really got out of hand when Raterink's next throw found the hands of Virgil Gray who returned it 45 yards for a score, giving the snakes a 21-0 advantage at the five-minute mark of the first quarter. Iowa got on the board when Marco Thomas scampered into the end zone on a two-yard receiver-sweep to end the first quarter. Despite Arizona's dominate start the Stormers, for a moment, got themselves back in the game when the defense made a goal-line stand. The opportunity was all for none when Virgil Gray grabbed his second interception four plays later and returned it 40 yards for another pick-six. The Rattler defense forced four incompletions from J.J. Raterink on the next Iowa series to earn another stop, and Tyson Poots hauled in a two-yard touchdown two plays later to grow the lead to 35-6. Brian Reader came into the game on the next series and completed his first two passes in what finished to be a four-play scoring drive highlighted by Darius Reynolds' 38-yard touchdown. Nick Davila completed three of four passes on the final drive of the first half and gave the Rattlers a 42-12 lead with a seven-yard touchdown to Poots. Arizona is already hard enough to beat, and with a 30-point lead are nearly impossible to defeat. The Rattlers outscored Iowa 42-33 in a calm second half that saw Brian Reader get extensive action and Jason Murrietta throw a pair of touchdowns. The Rattlers carry a tidal wave of momentum into the postseason with a 84-45 victory that wraps up a third-straight west division crown and the AFL's best record at 15-3.
Stat Leaders:
Arizona (15-3) Iowa (6-12)
Nick Davila 16-22, 222 yds, 6TD, Int Brian Reader 10-18, 197 yds, 4TD
Rod Windsor 6 rec, 148 yds, 3 TD; J.J. Raterink 5-16, 53 yds, 3 Int
18 rush yds Marco Thomas 32 total yds, Rush TD
Tyson Poots 9 rec, 85 yds, 4 TD Jesse Schmidt 5 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD
Virgil Gray 2 Int, 2 Int-ret TD Darius Reynolds 4 rec, 83 yds, 2 TD
Rattler D: 4 sacks, 3 Int, 3 Fumb Rec Jason Simpson Int-ret TD
Arkeith Brown Kick-ret TD
Garrett Lindholm 12-12 PAT
Utah Blaze 48, Cleveland Gladiators 46
The Blaze hosted the Gladiators in the final game of each team's 2013 campaign. Both teams have long been eliminated from the postseason picture. Since nothing was at-stake in this game, we will have a short summary.
Tommy Grady started the game with two quick completions, netting the game's first point on a one-yard toss to Ben Stallings. After Arness Ikner and Marrio Norman traded interceptions, Chris Dieker gave Cleveland a 7-6 lead on a 27-yard strike to Thyron Lewis. Utah's third possession ended abruptly when Todd Storm caused a fumble while sacking Grady, which setup up a four-yard touchdown run by Dieker that gave the Glads a 13-6 lead to take into the second quarter. The Gladiator defense made another stop, but it went to waste as Tony Tatum intercepted Dieker's immediate pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Each offense traded a five-play touchdown drive and a failed possession over the next four series of the half. The Gladiators received the final possession with 33 seconds at their disposal. A pair of completions to Carlese Franklin for 32 yards setup a 28-yard field goal try by Craig Camay with a single second left. Camay's kick was blocked by Lavon McCoy and David Hyland scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the Blaze an ecstatic 27-20 halftime advantage. Cleveland had a jump start to the second half when Joe Phinisee recovered an onside kick and returned it for a score to tie the game at 27, but this would be the Glads only points of the third quarter. Tommy Grady put together one of his best periods of the season, completing six of seven passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns that gave the Blaze a 41-27 lead heading into the final frame. Danny Southwick took over the reins for Cleveland in the second half, and got them back in the game with a twelve-yard touchdown to Thyron Lewis to begin the fourth. Marrio Norman racked up another interception on Utah's ensuing series, and a 35-yard score by Lewis had the Gladiators within two points with 10:17 remaining. Southwick's two-point pass fell to the ground, keeping Utah up by two. The lead quickly grew to nine when LeVaughn Macon returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown, making it 48-39 with nine minutes left. After both defenses made another stop, Southwick and Lewis connected for a third time on a fifteen-yard pass that cut the margin back to two with one minute remaining. Chase Deadder recovered the last-chance onside kick and Tommy Grady gained one-yard on three consecutive runs that allowed the Blaze to end 2013 on a high note with a 48-46 home win.
Stat Leaders:
Cleveland (4-14) Utah (7-11)
Chris Dieker 12-23, 156 yds, 2TD, Tommy Grady 16-32, 158 yds, 3TD, 3 Int
2 Int; 11 rush yds, TD Mario Urrutia 7 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD
Danny Southwick 7-14, 119 yds, 3TD Chase Deadder 5 rec, 35 yds
Carlese Franklin 9 rec, 123 yds, TD LaVaughn Macon 6 kick ret, 186 yds, TD
Thyron Lewis 6 rec, 111, 4 TD Arness Ikner/Tony Tatum Int each
Dominick Goodman 4 rec, 41 yds Michael Johnson/Mike Alston sack each
Marrio Norman 3 Int
San Antonio Talons 42, Philadelphia Soul 28
On the CBS Sports Network game of the week, the Soul traveled to the Alamo knowing that a win would lock up home field in the American Conference. Scenarios: San Antonio: playing for pride, already eliminated. Philadelphia: a win clinches home field in the American Conference, a loss gives them the two-seed.
Entering this matchup the Talons signed a pair of AFL rookies, Robert Kent and Marcus Jackson, who both saw significant time in this season finale. Robert Kent got the start and began the night in a flash by completing his first pass to Dallas Baker for 38 yards and then scoring on a five-yard quarterback-draw. Dan Raudabaugh completed two of three passes on an opening four-play drive that resulted in a 31-yard score by Emery Sammons. Kent began San Antonio's second series with a 27-yard completion to Baker, but this time was unable to produce points after over-throwing Jomo Wilson on fourth down. A pair of completions had the Soul at San Antonio's eight-yard line, but on first and goal Raudabaugh's pass towards Larry Brackins was intercepted by Fred Shaw. Robert Kent would complete three passes in a row on the ensuing possession, but once again was unable to find the open target on fourth down. Back-to-back completions by Dan Raudabaugh had the Soul inside San Antonio's three-yard line, but Tim McGill feel on a mishandled snap to end another promising drive. For the third straight drive the Talons turned it over on downs but nearly got the ball right back when Joe Sykes intercepted a screen pass, except he fumbled during the return to keep possession with Philadelphia. Raudabaugh took advantage of the second opportunity and found Andrae Thurman for an eight-yard touchdown that gave the Soul a 14-6 edge midway in the second quarter. LaRico Stevenson intercepted what would be Robert Kent's last pass of the night on the next play, and Larry Brackins was the recipient of a five-yard touchdown four plays later to extend the lead to 21-6. After four ineffective series, it was time for Marcus Jackson to enter the game. Jackson completed back-to-back screen passes to Jomo Wilson that moved the ball to the Talon's 21-yard line at the one-minute warning. On the first play inside the timing rules, Jackson scrambled down the middle for a 28-yard to Soul's one, where Chad Cook pounded in a score on the next snap to cut the margin to 21-13 at the break. The Soul began the third quarter with the ball, but ended up going four-and-out when Dan Raudabaugh's fourth-down pass fell out of the reach of Tiger Jones. The Talons looked to be in early trouble when an incompletion and a sack created a third-and-fifteen, but Marcus Jackson showed us and the Philadelphia Soul how versatility can really change a game. On third down, Jackson completed a thirteen-yard pass to Dallas Baker, and picked up the first down on a two-yard quarterback-draw. Two plays later, Jackson would score on a one-yard run that cut the deficit to two midway through the third quarter. Carlton Brown made the first of three second-half interceptions on Raudabaugh's next pass, and Jackson scored on another two-yard touchdown run to cap off a five-play drive that saw him complete all three of passes and give San Antonio its first lead. After each side traded a turnover, Philadelphia went on a six-play, 45-yard drive that put them back on top with Tiger Jones' nine-yard touchdown grab. The Talons didn't trail for long, as after a pair of ineffective plays Marcus Jackson aired-out a 43-yard deep ball on third-and-seven that fell into the arms of Brent Holmes for a score. Carlton Brown ended the Soul's next drive with an end zone interception. Marcus Jackson led San Antonio on a six-play, 41-yard drive that put the game out of reach when he ran an quarterback-draw into the end zone for a nine-yard score with 50 seconds left in the game. Dan Raudabaugh found Emery Sammons for a 25-yard gain, but was picked off for the fifth time three plays to seal the deal for the boys of the Alamo. Despite missing the playoffs, San Antonio can call it year with a 10-8 record and maybe a quarterback for the future, while the loss by Philadelphia gives home field advantage to the Jacksonville Sharks in the American Conference.
Stat Leaders:
Philadelphia (12-6) San Antonio (10-8)
Dan Raudabaugh 22-37, 281 yds, 4TD, 5 Int Marcus Jackson 9-15, 117 yds, TD, Int;
Andrae Thurman 7 rec, 102 yds, TD 6 rush, 43 yds, 3 TD
Tiger Jones 9 rec, 93 yds, TD Chad Cook 8 rush, 20 yds, TD
Emery Sammons 4 rec, 67 yds, TD Dallas Baker 6 rec, 97 yds
LaRico Stevenson 2 Int Brent Holmes 3 rec, 90 yds, TD
Brandon Perkins 9 tackles, sack Jomo Wilson 5 rec, 26 yds
Joe Goosby 9 tackles Carlton Brown 3 Int
Joe Sykes 5 tackles (4 TFL), sack, Int, FF
San Jose Sabercats 65, Chicago Rush 40
The final game in H.P. Pavilion for the 2013 season featured a matchup of playoff teams in the visiting Chicago Rush and the host San Jose Sabercats. Scenarios: San Jose: already locked into the fourth seed in the National Conference. Chicago: already clinched the central division based on a greater point spread verse common opponents than San Antonio.
This game got off to an exciting, but rare start as Reggie Gray returned the opening kick 57 yards for a touchdown, but Francis Maka blocked the extra point and Steve Octavien scooped it up to score the defensive PAT. Russ Michna completed two of his first three passes and found Jason Willis for a sixteen-yard score that gave the Cats an early 9-6 advantage. Carson Coffman and Michna each traded touchdown drives on the ensuing possessions to keep the game within one score. Coffman was on the verge of leading another touchdown drive, but failed to when his pass from San Jose's three-yard line was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Clevan Thomas; giving San Jose a 23-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Coffman responded by leading a seven-play, 41-yard drive on the Rush's next series that kept them in reach on a four-yard run by Taurus Johnson. Russ Michna answered back with two twenty-yard completions, the second was a touchdown to James Roe. Carson Coffman quickly had Chicago back in the red zone with consecutive completions of his own but was sacked on second and goal by Jason Stewart, and intercepted in the end zone by J.C. Neal on third and goal. Jason Willis hauled in his second score on a 24-yard pass that would give San Jose a 37-19 lead at the intermission. Down by three scores, the Rush were in desperate need of a defensive stop to start the third quarter and got it when Alex Magee forced and recovered a fumble while sacking Michna on the last snap of a four-play drive. Carson Coffman seized the opportunity and completed seven of nine passes on a ten-play, 47-yard drive that gave Chicago a chance on Taurus Johnson's four-yard touchdown catch. Russ Michna responded with a flawless five-play drive that saw him complete all five of his passes and extend the lead back to eighteen on an eight-yard toss to James Roe. Again, Coffman quickly had Chicago in scoring position, but on the second snap of the fourth quarter a fumbled snap ended any chance of a much-needed score. Two plays later, Michna fired an eighteen-yard strike to Huey Whittaker that pushed the advantage to 51-26 early in the fourth. Any hopes of a furious comeback attempt by Chicago went to the wayside when Clevan Thomas recorded his second interception and made an incredible return to score his second pick-six of the night and seal the win for the Sabercats. San Jose looked primed for the postseason with a very impressive 65-40 home win of the central division champion Rush. Chicago will face Spokane on Thursday night (August 1) and San Jose will travel to Arizona on Sunday, August 4th to play in their respective National Conference semifinal games.
Stat Leaders:
Chicago (10-8) San Jose (13-5)
Carson Coffman 20-36, 223 yds, 2TD, 3 Int Russ Michna 19-24, 257 yds, 5TD
Reggie Gray 7 rec, 96 yds, 2 Total TD Jason Willis 8 rec, 134 yds, 2 TD
Taurus Johnson 7 rec, 80 yds, 3 Total TD James Roe 6 rec, 65 yds, 2 TD
Landon Cox 8 rec, 80 yds Huey Whittaker 6 rec, 63 yds, TD
Alex Magee/Tyus Jackson sack each Clevan Thomas 2 Int, 2 Int ret-TD
Vic Hall 9 tackles Jason Stewart 3 sacks
Sabercat D: 4 takaways, 5 sacks
Nich Pertuit 9-9 PAT
Week 19 Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron Garcia, Quarterback Orlando
- Aaron Garcia stepped up big in the clutch. He completed 34 of 43 passes for 375 yards and eight touchdowns to lead Orlando to a playoff-clinching 71-42 win in week nineteen. With Garcia at the helm, the Preds will make their 20th playoff appearance in franchise history on August 3rd when the go to Philadelphia in an American Conference Semifinal.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jason Stewart, Defensive Lineman San Jose
- Jason Stewart was a one-man wrecking crew along the front three in the 'Cats 65-40 win over Chicago. Stewart recorded three sacks and forced a fumble to help San Jose enter the postseason on the right foot.
Playmaker of the Week: LaVaughn Macon, Wide Receiver Utah
- LaVaughn Macon recorded a total of 228 all-purpose yards in the Blaze's 48-46 win over Cleveland, but did the most damage as a returner. On six returns he totaled 186 yards, including the game-sealing 54-yard kick return touchdown that assured Utah a 7-11 finish in 2013.
For more on any of these seven games, or the Arena Football League go to: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/sched/afl-a-footbl-sched.html
Spokane Shock 61, Pittsburgh Power 43
The Power made a cross-country trip to Deaf Valley to face the playoff ready Shock on the final Friday night game of the season. Scenarios: Spokane: with a win and an Arizona loss have a case for the west division, but as of now they are locked into the national conference three seed. Pittsburgh: already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Power entered a rowdy environment and were un-phased on their opening drive that spanned nine plays, five minutes and resulted in a three-yard touchdown pass from Shane Austin to Christian Wise. Spokane only needed two plays to strike back, as Erik Meyer's first completion of the night was a 37-yard deep ball that found a wide-open Adron Tennell for six. The quick score was the beginning of a very quick string of 20 unanswered points by Spokane. Kamar Jorden made a net recovery in the Power end zone on the ensuing kickoff and Terrance Taylor intercepted Austin on the first snap of the following drive in his own end zone to quickly provide the points. Shane Austin got Pittsburgh back into the game with consecutive completions to Christian Wise that went totaled 45 yards and a second touchdown. Just when it looked as if Spokane was going to respond with another six of their own, the Power defense made a critical goal-line stand to begin the second quarter. The stand by the black and gold started a streak of five consecutive stops by the defenses; featuring an interception by Terence Moore and Sergio Gilliam. The scoring resumed with 5:52 left in the quarter when Mike Washington hauled in a 25-yard touchdown that gave a 21-20 lead to Pittsburgh. After seeing Spokane quickly multiply their lead earlier, it was the Power's turn to do so, as on Spokane's next play Kirby Griffin sacked Meyer in his own end zone for a safety and six plays later Washington caught a four-yard score. Erik Meyer quickly found Brandon Thompkins for a 45-yard touchdown to close the gap to 30-27 in the final minute of the half. Pittsburgh had 46 seconds to work with and it proved to be enough for Shane Austin to complete three of four passes, extending the Power's lead to 36-27 on a nine-yard screen pass to Jason Thomas who rumbled in for six. Spokane began the second half trailing by nine, but completely turned the game around with a dominating 30 minutes of Arena Football. Erik Meyer led a five-play, 43-yard drive that cut the gap to two on a nineteen-yard grab by Adron Tennell. James Ruffin and Beau Bell combined for a fourth-down sack that capped off a stop on downs, and the Shock reclaimed the lead at 7:15 in the third quarter on Tennell's thirteen-yard touchdown. A seven-play, five-minute drive went nowhere for the Power, and a 40 seconds into the fourth quarter found themselves trailing 47-36 after a one-yard run by Erik Meyer. Pittsburgh's third series of the second half produced the same result as the previous two when Richard Dodd-Masters intercepted Shane Austin at Spokane's four-yard line. Three plays and two completions later Meyer tossed a 24-yard score to Adron Tennell that expanded the lead to eighteen with under ten minutes to play. Austin and Meyer each traded touchdown passes over the next seven minutes to keep the margin at eighteen with 1:50 remaining. Pittsburgh's final possession of the season ended in appropriate fashion, a turnover on downs when Shane Austin completed a four-yard pass to Julian Talley that was stopped six yards shy of the marker. Arvell Nelson took the final snap of the night and plunged forward for a yard to finalize the Shock's 61-43 victory. Spokane takes a big amount of momentum into the playoffs with a dominating second half that led to their 14th win of the season, while the Power finish 4-14.
Stat Leaders:
Pittsburgh (4-14) Spokane (14-4)
Shane Austin 32-61, 315 yds, 6TD, 3 Int Erik Meyer 18-30, 249 yds, 6TD, 2 Int; Rush TD
Christian Wise 13 rec, 143 yds, 2 TD Adron Tennell 10 rec, 131 yds, 5 TD
Mike Washington 9 rec, 86 yds, 2 TD Brandon Thompkins 6 rec, 104 yds, TD
Sergio Gilliam/Alvin Ray Jackson Int each Paul Stephens 10 tackles
Kirby Griffin sack and safety Terrance Taylor Int-ret TD
Jacksonville Sharks 52, Tampa Bay Storm 44
Two south division foes squared-off in the Shark Tank, in what could be a preview of a first round playoff game. Scenarios: Jacksonville: with a win and a Philadelphia loss clinch home field in the American Conference. Tampa Bay: with a win or an Orlando loss clinch the three seed.
Bernard Morris got the start for the Sharks and began the game with five straight completions, but the streak and opening drive stopped at five when his sixth pass was intercepted by Jean Fanor at Tampa Bay's seven-yard line. Shane Boyd made his first start of the season for Tampa Bay and gave them an early 7-0 lead with a pair of completions and a one-yard touchdown run. Morris answered back with three straight completions on Jacksonville's second series and tied the game on a one-yard run of his own to cap off a six-play scoring drive. Boyd had the Storm on them move with two quick completions, but back-to-back misfires setup a third-and-ten to begin the second period. Shane Boyd took the snap and tried to scramble when he couldn't find an open receiver, but Jamaal Fudge stayed in the jack-box and applied a hit that allowed him to force and recover a fumble. The Sharks' third possession was an eventful one that after a pair of incompletions saw Bernard Morris be injured on a play that featured four penalties; three by Tampa Bay. Kyle Rowley was forced into the game, and put on a show for the Shark Tank faithful. Rowley's first pass was a fourteen-yard completion to Markee White, which setup Shamar Graves for a three-yard run on the next play that gave Jacksonville its first lead. Shane Boyd and Kyle Rowley traded a touchdown pass and run on their next two possessions which kept the difference at seven. Tampa Bay had the last crack of the first half with 29 seconds to go, but Juan Bongarra's 30-yard field goal went wide to the left to send the Sharks into the break up by 28-21. Boyd began the third quarter with a pair of completions to Joe Hills, the second a nineteen-yard touchdown. Kyle Rowley got the Sharks started on a good note on their seven-play scoring drive to begin the half, completing three straight passes for 36 yards to Shamar Graves that allowed Marco Capozzoli to attempt and make a 22-yard field goal. Jacksonville created some space when Tracy Belton intercepted a Shane Boyd pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown with 3:48 left in the third. The Sharks quickly added another defensive touchdown when Derrick Summers forced a fumble while sacking Boyd two plays into Tampa Bay's next drive and Jamaal Fudge scooped up the lose ball and returned it for a score. The Sharks held 45-28 lead until 4:28 in the fourth quarter when Jason Cherry was the recipient of an eight-yard touchdown, that with Boyd's two-point run cut the deficit to nine. Jacksonville recovered Bongarra's immediate onside kick and Rowley found Graves for an eleven-yard score to bolster the lead back to sixteen with two minutes to play. After each defense made a quick stop, Shane Boyd found Jason Cherry for a six-yard touchdown and hit Joe Hills for another conversion to make it an eight-point game with twelve seconds remaining. The thought of a wild finish vanished when Josh Philipart recovered the onside attempt and Kyle Rowley gained three yards on what would be the last play of the game to secure a 52-44 win for the Sharks. Both teams are headed to the playoffs, as the win moved Jacksonville to 12-6 and put pressure on Philadelphia to win in San Antonio to determine who would get home field advantage in the American Conference. The Storm will literally limp into the playoffs with a 7-11 record, losing eight out of their last nine games. Shamar Graves had a great return-debut for the Sharks, leading the team with thirteen catches for 108 yards and a pair of scores.
Stat Leaders:
Tampa Bay (7-11) Jacksonville (12-6)
Shane Boyd 27-42, 315 yds, 4TD, Kyle Rowley 13-16, 123 yds, 3 Total TD
Int; 2 Rush TD Bernard Morris 8-11, 73 yds, Rush TD, Int
Joe Hills 11 rec, 144 yds, TD Shamar Graves 13 rec, 108 yds, 2 Total TD
Jason Cherry 10 rec, 116 yds, 2 TD Josh Philipart 6 rec, 52 yds, TD
Rashaad Barksdale 13 tackles Tracy Belton Int
Jean Fanor Int, Fumb Rec Jamaal Fudge 2 Fumb Rec
Marco Capozzoli 1-1 FG (22). 7-7 PAT
Orlando Predators 71, New Orleans VooDoo 42
A divisional meeting between two teams with losing records held the most at stake in week nineteen. The VooDoo traveled into the Jungle knowing that it was win or go home. Scenarios: Orlando: clinch a playoff berth with a win, since Tampa Bay lost they would get the top A.C. wild card spot. eliminated with a loss. New Orleans: clinched the final A.C. wild card spot with a win, eliminated with a loss.
Chris Dixon started the action with a 22-yard completion to Courtney Smith, but fumbled four plays later as he was being sacked by Prentice Purnell. Aaron Garcia got the Preds on the board with three quick completions to Prechae Rodriguez, the third of which a 20-yard touchdown. Larry Beavers had a lightning-quick answer of his own when he returned the following kick 58 yards for a score. Garcia ended a five-play scoring drive with a 31-yard strike to Maurice Williams, but his counterpart Chris Dixon answered with a fifteen-yard touchdown to Donovan Morgan that tied the game at fourteen. Orlando carried an eleven-play, six-and-half minute drive into the second quarter that gave them the lead on T.T. Toliver's three-yard touchdown. Cortez Stubbs picked off Dixon two plays later and Mykel Benson ended the ensuing five-play drive with a one-yard run that pushed the lead to 28-14. Chris Dixon threw a pair of touchdowns on New Orleans' next two possessions, that sandwiched a 20-yard field goal by Mark Lewis, resulting in a 31-28 Orlando lead 34 seconds before halftime. Aaron Garcia had plenty of time, in which he directed a seven-play, 47-yard drive that gave the Preds a nine-point advantage on his three-yard strike Maurice Williams. The second half got off to a fast start for Orlando when Dominic Jones had a 31-yard return on the opening kick and Garcia connected with Toliver for a 26-yard touchdown on the next play. The half also began well for New Orleans, as Chris Dixon led a five-play drive that cut the margin back to nine on Donovan Morgan's 25-yard touchdown. Orlando answered with a five-play scoring drive of its own that concluded on a two-yard receiver-sweep by Prechae Rodriguez. The Predator defense earned the first stop for either side of the half when they forced Dixon to throw four straight incompletions from inside the red zone. Orlando grew the lead to 22 on the first play of the final period when Aaron Garcia hit Maurice Williams in stride for a 23-yard touchdown. Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a five-play, 39-yard drive that he capped off on a two-yard scamper with 10:35 remaining. Garcia completed all four passes on a penalty-filled four-play, three-minute drive that replenished the lead on Rodriguez's two-yard touchdown grab. New Orleans' playoff hopes ended on their next drive when Chris Dixon was stopped two yards shy of the first down on a fourth-and-seven. Maurice Williams caught a 29-yard touchdown in the final minute to cement a 71-42 victory that earned the 20th playoff appearance in Orlando Predator history. The loss eliminates New Orleans, and because Tampa Bay lost Orlando clinches the final berth and gets the three seed based on a better conference record.
Stat Leaders:
New Orleans (5-13) Orlando (7-11)
Chris Dixon 17-34, 200 yds, 3TD, Aaron Garcia 34-43, 375 yds, 8TD, Int
Int; 31 rush yds, TD Maurice Williams 15 rec, 165 yds, 4 TD
Donovan Morgan 6 rec, 87 yds, 2 TD Prechae Rodriguez 8 rec, 105 yds, 2 TD
Courtney Smith 6 rec, 63 yds T.T. Toliver 5 rec, 69 yds, 2 TD
Larry Beavers 9 kick ret, 204 yds, TD Cortez Stubbs Int
DeMarcus Robinson 13 tackles Prentice Purnell sack, FF
Dwight McClean Int Mark Lewis 1-1 FG (20), 8-10 PAT
Arizona Rattlers 84, Iowa Barnstormers 45
The Rattlers traveled to Iowa looking for an AFL-best fifteenth win. Scenarios: Arizona: a win gives them the west division outright. Iowa: already eliminated.
The defending champs desperately needed to bounce back from a sloppy performance against Chicago and didn't waste any time in doing so. Arizona got the ball to start the game, and on the first play Nick Davila hit an open Rod Windsor who sprinted along the right sidelines and broke a tackle that turned a simple fifteen-yard gain into a 45-yard touchdown. The Barnstormers' opening possession went well, but a nine-play drive ended empty when Marquis Floyd intercepted J.J. Raterink's fourth-and-goal pass. Davila quickly completed a pair of passes, the second of which a 34-yard touchdown to Windsor. The game really got out of hand when Raterink's next throw found the hands of Virgil Gray who returned it 45 yards for a score, giving the snakes a 21-0 advantage at the five-minute mark of the first quarter. Iowa got on the board when Marco Thomas scampered into the end zone on a two-yard receiver-sweep to end the first quarter. Despite Arizona's dominate start the Stormers, for a moment, got themselves back in the game when the defense made a goal-line stand. The opportunity was all for none when Virgil Gray grabbed his second interception four plays later and returned it 40 yards for another pick-six. The Rattler defense forced four incompletions from J.J. Raterink on the next Iowa series to earn another stop, and Tyson Poots hauled in a two-yard touchdown two plays later to grow the lead to 35-6. Brian Reader came into the game on the next series and completed his first two passes in what finished to be a four-play scoring drive highlighted by Darius Reynolds' 38-yard touchdown. Nick Davila completed three of four passes on the final drive of the first half and gave the Rattlers a 42-12 lead with a seven-yard touchdown to Poots. Arizona is already hard enough to beat, and with a 30-point lead are nearly impossible to defeat. The Rattlers outscored Iowa 42-33 in a calm second half that saw Brian Reader get extensive action and Jason Murrietta throw a pair of touchdowns. The Rattlers carry a tidal wave of momentum into the postseason with a 84-45 victory that wraps up a third-straight west division crown and the AFL's best record at 15-3.
Stat Leaders:
Arizona (15-3) Iowa (6-12)
Nick Davila 16-22, 222 yds, 6TD, Int Brian Reader 10-18, 197 yds, 4TD
Rod Windsor 6 rec, 148 yds, 3 TD; J.J. Raterink 5-16, 53 yds, 3 Int
18 rush yds Marco Thomas 32 total yds, Rush TD
Tyson Poots 9 rec, 85 yds, 4 TD Jesse Schmidt 5 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD
Virgil Gray 2 Int, 2 Int-ret TD Darius Reynolds 4 rec, 83 yds, 2 TD
Rattler D: 4 sacks, 3 Int, 3 Fumb Rec Jason Simpson Int-ret TD
Arkeith Brown Kick-ret TD
Garrett Lindholm 12-12 PAT
Utah Blaze 48, Cleveland Gladiators 46
The Blaze hosted the Gladiators in the final game of each team's 2013 campaign. Both teams have long been eliminated from the postseason picture. Since nothing was at-stake in this game, we will have a short summary.
Tommy Grady started the game with two quick completions, netting the game's first point on a one-yard toss to Ben Stallings. After Arness Ikner and Marrio Norman traded interceptions, Chris Dieker gave Cleveland a 7-6 lead on a 27-yard strike to Thyron Lewis. Utah's third possession ended abruptly when Todd Storm caused a fumble while sacking Grady, which setup up a four-yard touchdown run by Dieker that gave the Glads a 13-6 lead to take into the second quarter. The Gladiator defense made another stop, but it went to waste as Tony Tatum intercepted Dieker's immediate pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Each offense traded a five-play touchdown drive and a failed possession over the next four series of the half. The Gladiators received the final possession with 33 seconds at their disposal. A pair of completions to Carlese Franklin for 32 yards setup a 28-yard field goal try by Craig Camay with a single second left. Camay's kick was blocked by Lavon McCoy and David Hyland scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the Blaze an ecstatic 27-20 halftime advantage. Cleveland had a jump start to the second half when Joe Phinisee recovered an onside kick and returned it for a score to tie the game at 27, but this would be the Glads only points of the third quarter. Tommy Grady put together one of his best periods of the season, completing six of seven passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns that gave the Blaze a 41-27 lead heading into the final frame. Danny Southwick took over the reins for Cleveland in the second half, and got them back in the game with a twelve-yard touchdown to Thyron Lewis to begin the fourth. Marrio Norman racked up another interception on Utah's ensuing series, and a 35-yard score by Lewis had the Gladiators within two points with 10:17 remaining. Southwick's two-point pass fell to the ground, keeping Utah up by two. The lead quickly grew to nine when LeVaughn Macon returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown, making it 48-39 with nine minutes left. After both defenses made another stop, Southwick and Lewis connected for a third time on a fifteen-yard pass that cut the margin back to two with one minute remaining. Chase Deadder recovered the last-chance onside kick and Tommy Grady gained one-yard on three consecutive runs that allowed the Blaze to end 2013 on a high note with a 48-46 home win.
Stat Leaders:
Cleveland (4-14) Utah (7-11)
Chris Dieker 12-23, 156 yds, 2TD, Tommy Grady 16-32, 158 yds, 3TD, 3 Int
2 Int; 11 rush yds, TD Mario Urrutia 7 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD
Danny Southwick 7-14, 119 yds, 3TD Chase Deadder 5 rec, 35 yds
Carlese Franklin 9 rec, 123 yds, TD LaVaughn Macon 6 kick ret, 186 yds, TD
Thyron Lewis 6 rec, 111, 4 TD Arness Ikner/Tony Tatum Int each
Dominick Goodman 4 rec, 41 yds Michael Johnson/Mike Alston sack each
Marrio Norman 3 Int
San Antonio Talons 42, Philadelphia Soul 28
On the CBS Sports Network game of the week, the Soul traveled to the Alamo knowing that a win would lock up home field in the American Conference. Scenarios: San Antonio: playing for pride, already eliminated. Philadelphia: a win clinches home field in the American Conference, a loss gives them the two-seed.
Entering this matchup the Talons signed a pair of AFL rookies, Robert Kent and Marcus Jackson, who both saw significant time in this season finale. Robert Kent got the start and began the night in a flash by completing his first pass to Dallas Baker for 38 yards and then scoring on a five-yard quarterback-draw. Dan Raudabaugh completed two of three passes on an opening four-play drive that resulted in a 31-yard score by Emery Sammons. Kent began San Antonio's second series with a 27-yard completion to Baker, but this time was unable to produce points after over-throwing Jomo Wilson on fourth down. A pair of completions had the Soul at San Antonio's eight-yard line, but on first and goal Raudabaugh's pass towards Larry Brackins was intercepted by Fred Shaw. Robert Kent would complete three passes in a row on the ensuing possession, but once again was unable to find the open target on fourth down. Back-to-back completions by Dan Raudabaugh had the Soul inside San Antonio's three-yard line, but Tim McGill feel on a mishandled snap to end another promising drive. For the third straight drive the Talons turned it over on downs but nearly got the ball right back when Joe Sykes intercepted a screen pass, except he fumbled during the return to keep possession with Philadelphia. Raudabaugh took advantage of the second opportunity and found Andrae Thurman for an eight-yard touchdown that gave the Soul a 14-6 edge midway in the second quarter. LaRico Stevenson intercepted what would be Robert Kent's last pass of the night on the next play, and Larry Brackins was the recipient of a five-yard touchdown four plays later to extend the lead to 21-6. After four ineffective series, it was time for Marcus Jackson to enter the game. Jackson completed back-to-back screen passes to Jomo Wilson that moved the ball to the Talon's 21-yard line at the one-minute warning. On the first play inside the timing rules, Jackson scrambled down the middle for a 28-yard to Soul's one, where Chad Cook pounded in a score on the next snap to cut the margin to 21-13 at the break. The Soul began the third quarter with the ball, but ended up going four-and-out when Dan Raudabaugh's fourth-down pass fell out of the reach of Tiger Jones. The Talons looked to be in early trouble when an incompletion and a sack created a third-and-fifteen, but Marcus Jackson showed us and the Philadelphia Soul how versatility can really change a game. On third down, Jackson completed a thirteen-yard pass to Dallas Baker, and picked up the first down on a two-yard quarterback-draw. Two plays later, Jackson would score on a one-yard run that cut the deficit to two midway through the third quarter. Carlton Brown made the first of three second-half interceptions on Raudabaugh's next pass, and Jackson scored on another two-yard touchdown run to cap off a five-play drive that saw him complete all three of passes and give San Antonio its first lead. After each side traded a turnover, Philadelphia went on a six-play, 45-yard drive that put them back on top with Tiger Jones' nine-yard touchdown grab. The Talons didn't trail for long, as after a pair of ineffective plays Marcus Jackson aired-out a 43-yard deep ball on third-and-seven that fell into the arms of Brent Holmes for a score. Carlton Brown ended the Soul's next drive with an end zone interception. Marcus Jackson led San Antonio on a six-play, 41-yard drive that put the game out of reach when he ran an quarterback-draw into the end zone for a nine-yard score with 50 seconds left in the game. Dan Raudabaugh found Emery Sammons for a 25-yard gain, but was picked off for the fifth time three plays to seal the deal for the boys of the Alamo. Despite missing the playoffs, San Antonio can call it year with a 10-8 record and maybe a quarterback for the future, while the loss by Philadelphia gives home field advantage to the Jacksonville Sharks in the American Conference.
Stat Leaders:
Philadelphia (12-6) San Antonio (10-8)
Dan Raudabaugh 22-37, 281 yds, 4TD, 5 Int Marcus Jackson 9-15, 117 yds, TD, Int;
Andrae Thurman 7 rec, 102 yds, TD 6 rush, 43 yds, 3 TD
Tiger Jones 9 rec, 93 yds, TD Chad Cook 8 rush, 20 yds, TD
Emery Sammons 4 rec, 67 yds, TD Dallas Baker 6 rec, 97 yds
LaRico Stevenson 2 Int Brent Holmes 3 rec, 90 yds, TD
Brandon Perkins 9 tackles, sack Jomo Wilson 5 rec, 26 yds
Joe Goosby 9 tackles Carlton Brown 3 Int
Joe Sykes 5 tackles (4 TFL), sack, Int, FF
San Jose Sabercats 65, Chicago Rush 40
The final game in H.P. Pavilion for the 2013 season featured a matchup of playoff teams in the visiting Chicago Rush and the host San Jose Sabercats. Scenarios: San Jose: already locked into the fourth seed in the National Conference. Chicago: already clinched the central division based on a greater point spread verse common opponents than San Antonio.
This game got off to an exciting, but rare start as Reggie Gray returned the opening kick 57 yards for a touchdown, but Francis Maka blocked the extra point and Steve Octavien scooped it up to score the defensive PAT. Russ Michna completed two of his first three passes and found Jason Willis for a sixteen-yard score that gave the Cats an early 9-6 advantage. Carson Coffman and Michna each traded touchdown drives on the ensuing possessions to keep the game within one score. Coffman was on the verge of leading another touchdown drive, but failed to when his pass from San Jose's three-yard line was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Clevan Thomas; giving San Jose a 23-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Coffman responded by leading a seven-play, 41-yard drive on the Rush's next series that kept them in reach on a four-yard run by Taurus Johnson. Russ Michna answered back with two twenty-yard completions, the second was a touchdown to James Roe. Carson Coffman quickly had Chicago back in the red zone with consecutive completions of his own but was sacked on second and goal by Jason Stewart, and intercepted in the end zone by J.C. Neal on third and goal. Jason Willis hauled in his second score on a 24-yard pass that would give San Jose a 37-19 lead at the intermission. Down by three scores, the Rush were in desperate need of a defensive stop to start the third quarter and got it when Alex Magee forced and recovered a fumble while sacking Michna on the last snap of a four-play drive. Carson Coffman seized the opportunity and completed seven of nine passes on a ten-play, 47-yard drive that gave Chicago a chance on Taurus Johnson's four-yard touchdown catch. Russ Michna responded with a flawless five-play drive that saw him complete all five of his passes and extend the lead back to eighteen on an eight-yard toss to James Roe. Again, Coffman quickly had Chicago in scoring position, but on the second snap of the fourth quarter a fumbled snap ended any chance of a much-needed score. Two plays later, Michna fired an eighteen-yard strike to Huey Whittaker that pushed the advantage to 51-26 early in the fourth. Any hopes of a furious comeback attempt by Chicago went to the wayside when Clevan Thomas recorded his second interception and made an incredible return to score his second pick-six of the night and seal the win for the Sabercats. San Jose looked primed for the postseason with a very impressive 65-40 home win of the central division champion Rush. Chicago will face Spokane on Thursday night (August 1) and San Jose will travel to Arizona on Sunday, August 4th to play in their respective National Conference semifinal games.
Stat Leaders:
Chicago (10-8) San Jose (13-5)
Carson Coffman 20-36, 223 yds, 2TD, 3 Int Russ Michna 19-24, 257 yds, 5TD
Reggie Gray 7 rec, 96 yds, 2 Total TD Jason Willis 8 rec, 134 yds, 2 TD
Taurus Johnson 7 rec, 80 yds, 3 Total TD James Roe 6 rec, 65 yds, 2 TD
Landon Cox 8 rec, 80 yds Huey Whittaker 6 rec, 63 yds, TD
Alex Magee/Tyus Jackson sack each Clevan Thomas 2 Int, 2 Int ret-TD
Vic Hall 9 tackles Jason Stewart 3 sacks
Sabercat D: 4 takaways, 5 sacks
Nich Pertuit 9-9 PAT
Week 19 Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron Garcia, Quarterback Orlando
- Aaron Garcia stepped up big in the clutch. He completed 34 of 43 passes for 375 yards and eight touchdowns to lead Orlando to a playoff-clinching 71-42 win in week nineteen. With Garcia at the helm, the Preds will make their 20th playoff appearance in franchise history on August 3rd when the go to Philadelphia in an American Conference Semifinal.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jason Stewart, Defensive Lineman San Jose
- Jason Stewart was a one-man wrecking crew along the front three in the 'Cats 65-40 win over Chicago. Stewart recorded three sacks and forced a fumble to help San Jose enter the postseason on the right foot.
Playmaker of the Week: LaVaughn Macon, Wide Receiver Utah
- LaVaughn Macon recorded a total of 228 all-purpose yards in the Blaze's 48-46 win over Cleveland, but did the most damage as a returner. On six returns he totaled 186 yards, including the game-sealing 54-yard kick return touchdown that assured Utah a 7-11 finish in 2013.
For more on any of these seven games, or the Arena Football League go to: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/sched/afl-a-footbl-sched.html
Friday, July 26, 2013
AFL: The Playoff Picture heading into Week 19
As the month of July comes to a wrap, so does the 2013 AFL regular season. Here are the standings and playoff picture heading into the final week before the postseason.
Standings entering Week 19:
American Conference Overall Record (Division Record)
East Division x = clinched playoff berth
yPhiladelphia Soul 12-5 (2-2) y = clinched division
Cleveland Gladiators 4-13 (2-2) z = clinched home field advantage
Pittsburgh Power 4-13 (2-2) eliminated
South Division
yJacksonville Sharks 11-6 (5-0)
xTampa Bay Storm 7-10 (2-3)
Orlando Predators 6-11 (1-4)
New Orleans VooDoo 5-12 (2-3)
National Conference
Central Division
Chicago Rush 10-7 (2-2)
San Antonio Talons 9-8 (2-2)
Iowa Barnstormers 6-11 (2-2)
West Division
zArizona Rattlers 14-3 (4-2)
xSpokane Shock 13-4 (4-2)
xSan Jose Sabercats 12-5 (3-3)
Utah Blaze 6-11 (1-5)
Week 19 Playoff Scenarios:
Already clinched:Philadelphia - East DivisionJacksonville - South DivisionArizona - West Division and N.C. home-field
Spokane - 3 seed in the National Conference
San Jose - 4 seed in the National Conference
Already Eliminated:Utah
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
Iowa
Scenarios:
- Tampa Bay clinches the 3 seed in the A.C. with a win or a win by New Orleans.
- The winner of the Orlando-New Orleans game clinches the final A.C. playoff berth.
- Orlando could get the 3 seed in the A.C. with a win and a loss by Tampa Bay.
- The Loser of Orlando-New Orleans will be eliminated from postseason contention.
- Philadelphia clinches A.C. home-field with a win or a Jacksonville loss.
- Jacksonville clinches A.C. home-field with a win and a Philadelphia loss.
- Chicago will officially clinch the central division at the end of the nigh; but a win or a San Antonio loss will give it to them outright.
Important Tiebreakers:
- New Orleans has the head-to-head over Orlando based on the VooDoo's week one win.
- Chicago has the tiebreak over San Antonio based on point spread vs. common opponents (160+ point advantage entering week 19).
- Jacksonville has head-to-head over Philadelphia.
- Tampa Bay has a 4-5 (0.444) conference record and Orlando has a 4-7 (0.364) conference record.
Week 19 Schedule:
Friday
10 p.m. EST - Pittsburgh at Spokane
Saturday
7 p.m. EST - New Orleans at Orlando
7 p.m. EST - Tampa Bay at Jacksonville
8:05 p.m. EST - Arizona at Iowa
9 p.m. EST - Philadelphia at San Antonio (CBS Sports Network)
9 p.m. EST - Cleveland at Utah
10:30 p.m. EST - Chicago at San Jose
For more:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/arenabowl/
Standings entering Week 19:
American Conference Overall Record (Division Record)
East Division x = clinched playoff berth
yPhiladelphia Soul 12-5 (2-2) y = clinched division
South Division
yJacksonville Sharks 11-6 (5-0)
xTampa Bay Storm 7-10 (2-3)
Orlando Predators 6-11 (1-4)
New Orleans VooDoo 5-12 (2-3)
National Conference
Central Division
Chicago Rush 10-7 (2-2)
San Antonio Talons 9-8 (2-2)
West Division
zArizona Rattlers 14-3 (4-2)
xSpokane Shock 13-4 (4-2)
xSan Jose Sabercats 12-5 (3-3)
Week 19 Playoff Scenarios:
Already clinched:Philadelphia - East DivisionJacksonville - South DivisionArizona - West Division and N.C. home-field
Spokane - 3 seed in the National Conference
San Jose - 4 seed in the National Conference
Already Eliminated:Utah
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
Iowa
Scenarios:
- Tampa Bay clinches the 3 seed in the A.C. with a win or a win by New Orleans.
- The winner of the Orlando-New Orleans game clinches the final A.C. playoff berth.
- Orlando could get the 3 seed in the A.C. with a win and a loss by Tampa Bay.
- The Loser of Orlando-New Orleans will be eliminated from postseason contention.
- Philadelphia clinches A.C. home-field with a win or a Jacksonville loss.
- Jacksonville clinches A.C. home-field with a win and a Philadelphia loss.
- Chicago will officially clinch the central division at the end of the nigh; but a win or a San Antonio loss will give it to them outright.
Important Tiebreakers:
- New Orleans has the head-to-head over Orlando based on the VooDoo's week one win.
- Chicago has the tiebreak over San Antonio based on point spread vs. common opponents (160+ point advantage entering week 19).
- Jacksonville has head-to-head over Philadelphia.
- Tampa Bay has a 4-5 (0.444) conference record and Orlando has a 4-7 (0.364) conference record.
Week 19 Schedule:
Friday
10 p.m. EST - Pittsburgh at Spokane
Saturday
7 p.m. EST - New Orleans at Orlando
7 p.m. EST - Tampa Bay at Jacksonville
8:05 p.m. EST - Arizona at Iowa
9 p.m. EST - Philadelphia at San Antonio (CBS Sports Network)
9 p.m. EST - Cleveland at Utah
10:30 p.m. EST - Chicago at San Jose
For more:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/arenabowl/
AFL: Week 18 Recap
The AFL regular season is coming to a close and with that, eight teams can begin their journey to Orlando for Arena Bowl XXVI. Seven games in week eighteen helped solidify this year's postseason picture.
Spokane Shock 77, San Antonio Talons 30
The Talons traveled to Deaf Valley for a critical late-season meeting with the Shock. Scenarios: Spokane: with a win and a San Jose loss would clinch the top N.C. wild card (3 seed). San Antonio: need a win to keep pace in the central division; the final playoff spot in the National Conference.
In a hostile environment it was a key for San Antonio to get off to a hot start, and they did when Rohan Davey found D.J. Stephens in-stride for a 39-yard touchdown on fourth down to give the Talons the first points of the night. The Talon defense forced a quick four-and-out, which setup Stefan Demos for a 24-yard field goal that he put down the middle to extend the lead to 10-0. A 36-yard return by Terrance Sanders and a sixteen-yard reception by Brandon Thompkins quickly sparked the Shock offense's second drive that netted their first points on a three-yard grab by Kamar Jorden. Paul Stephens nabbed his first of what would be three interceptions and Erik Meyer hit Jorden for a 24-yard score two plays later to give Spokane the lead heading into the second quarter. Rohan Davey had back-to-back completions to D.J. Stephens for 39 yards and hit Dallas Baker for a nine-yard score to get the Talons back on top. Spokane didn't trail for long as Terrance Sanders returned the ensuing kick 56 yards for a touchdown, which started a string of twenty unanswered points for the blue and orange. Terrance Taylor was credited with a strip-sack of Davey in the end zone that Diyral Briggs recovered for second quick Shock touchdown and Paul Stephens recorded his second pick all in a five-play span for San Antonio that broke the game open. Erik Meyer pushed Spokane's lead to 33-17 with a one-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal, but the Talons would strike back with a six-play scoring drive that ended on D.J. Stephens' two-yard touchdown catch, making it 33-24 at the half. Erik Meyer led a five-play, three-minute drive that opened a dominant third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown to Adron Tennell that got the lead back to sixteen. San Antonio was digging themselves a hole and it only got deeper when Davey was sacked in the end zone for a safety on his first snap of the quarter and on the next play Meyer connected with Kamar Jorden for a 35-yard score. The Shock continued to roll as Terence Moore returned an interception for a touchdown and Terrance Sanders grabbed an interception on the next two Talon possessions. Arvell Nelson scored on a three-yard run to extend Spokane's lead to 63-24 and Paul Stephens made his third interception to cap off a dominate 30-0 third quarter that sealed another victory in Deaf Valley for the Shock. Chad Cook scored the Talons' only points of the second half on a nine-yard run late in the fourth, but it was a small bright spot in a 77-30 thrashing at the hands of Spokane. The win put the Shock in prime position to earn the three seed in the National Conference, while San Antonio's playoff hopes took a major hit.
Stat Leaders:
San Antonio (9-8) Spokane (13-4)
Rohan Davey 18-39, 214 yds, 3TD, 5 Int Erik Meyer 8-15, 153 yds, 4TD; Rush TD
Chad Cook 5 rush, 37 yds, TD Adron Tennell 6 rec, 73 yds, 3 Total TD
D.J. Stephens 7 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD Kamar Jorden 4 rec, 86 yds, 3 TD
Dallas Baker 3 rec, 29 yds, TD Paul Stephens 3 Int
Joe Sykes 5 tackles, sack Terrance Sanders Int, Kick-ret TD
Stefan Demos 1-1 FG (24), 3-3 PAT Terence Moore Int-ret TD, Fumb Rec
Terrance Taylor 3 sacks
Jacksonville Sharks 58, New Orleans VooDoo 49
This late-season south division tilt held big stakes for both the VooDoo and Sharks. Scenarios: Jacksonville: with a win keeps their chance for A.C. homefield. New Orleans: a win keeps their playoff hopes alive; a loss and an Orlando win would eliminate them.
This southern battle got off to a fast start as Bernard Morris and Chris Dixon traded touchdown passes on the first three possessions. The game's first stop came when the Shark defense forced a four-and-out that was highlighted by a Jerry Turner third-down sack. Jacksonville earned its first bit of breathing space when Morris found Jeron Harvey on the next play for a six-yard score. A sack by Jamaal Fudge on New Orleans' next drive also highlighted a four-and-out that allowed the lead to stretch to 28-7 on Harvey's second touchdown catch of the quarter. Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a seventeen-yard touchdown to Donovan Morgan that ended a four-play scoring drive. Bernard Morris countered with an eleven-play, seven-and-half minute drive that moved the margin back to three touchdowns on a three-yard catch by Markee White. Trailing by 21 with 2:05 left in the first half things looked bleak for New Orleans, but that turned around when Dixon threw a seven-yard dart to Courtney Smith that ended a six-play scoring drive and on the Sharks' next play Markee White fumbled at his own eleven-yard line with 22 seconds remaining. Quorey Payne caught an eight-yard touchdown two plays later to close the gap to 35-28 at halftime. The VooDoo's attempt at a comeback took a wrong turn when the opening drive of the third quarter failed to produce any points and Bernard Morris tossed a 22-yard score to Jeron Harvey on the Sharks' first possession. Once again, Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a twelve-yard strike to Donovan Morgan in the middle of the quarter. Jacksonville answered with an eight-play, six-minute drive that expanded their lead to ten on Marco Capozzoli's 24-yard field goal that sent the game into the fourth quarter. The final period began as a back and forth battle that saw each offense exchange touchdown drives in the first nine minutes of the period. The Sharks nearly sealed the victory on New Orleans' second series of the period, but were unable to when Chris Dixon found L.J. Castille for a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-ten. Just like their counterparts, the VooDoo defense nearly made a game-changing stop of their own, but Bernard Morris rolled into the end zone on an option-keeper to give Jacksonville a 58-49 lead with 31 seconds to play. Derrick Summers sacked Dixon on second down and Michaeux Robinson intercepted him on the final play of the game to secure a pivotal division win for the Sharks that's keeps their chances at home field advantage alive. The loss didn't eliminate the VooDoo, but it clinched a playoff berth for Tampa Bay and gave Orlando the chance to secure a spot in this year's playoffs with their game at Cleveland.
Stat Leaders:
Jacksonville (11-6) New Orleans (5-12)
Bernard Morris 23-36, 250 yds, 5TD; Chris Dixon 18-30, 262 yds, 7TD, Int
31 rush yds, 2 TD Donovan Morgan 6 rec, 112 yds, 3 TD
Jeron Harvey 9 rec, 115 yds, 3 TD L.J. Castille 4 rec, 76 yds, 2 TD
Markee White 6 rec, 83 yds, 2 TD Chris Brown 8 tackles, Fumb Rec
Jerry Turner 3 sacks Kenny Spencer 0-1 FG, 7-7 PAT
Sharks D: Int, 7 sacks
Marco Capozzoli 1-1 FG (24), 7-8 PAT
Cleveland Gladiators 65, Orlando Predators 62
On paper week eighteen's CBS Sports Network broadcast looked to be an insignificant mismatch, but for all who tuned in were rewarded with a classic AFL treat. The Predators traveled to Cleveland with a huge opportunity. Scenarios: Cleveland: already eliminated, trying to play spoiler. Orlando: with a win would clinch a playoff berth as a result of New Orleans' loss.
On the primetime stage, both offenses got off to furious starts. Chris Dieker and Aaron Garcia traded touchdown passes on each of their first two series to enter the second quarter tied at fourteen. The Gladiator defense came away with the first stop on the opening series of the second period when a holding penalty and back-to-back incompletions created a fourth-and-seventeen. Jacob Hardwick broke into the backfield and sacked Garcia on the play to force a turnover on downs. The Glads took the lead two plays later on Dieker's four-yard touchdown run. Orlando didn't trail for long as Aaron Garcia led a five-play, 46-yard drive that ended on Jason Geather's eight-yard grab. The Preds created the first bit of distance on the night when Tanner Varner returned an interception thirteen yards for a score two plays later to expand the lead to 28-20 with 4:52 left in the first half. The touchdown trading continued as Chris Dieker threw a 47-yard score to Thyron Lewis. It looked as if the Preds would take an eight-point lead into the break, but the Cleveland defense stood strong and made a huge goal-line stand to keep the score at 28-27 entering the intermission. Chris Dieker lead the Gladiators on a seven-play, five-minute drive that put them back in the lead on Dominick Goodman's five-yard touchdown to open the third quarter. Aaron Garcia answered back a couple plays later with a 28-yard strike to T.T. Toliver that gave a one-point lead back to the Predators with 7:51 left in the third. Chris Dieker scored on a four-yard run to cap off a nine-play scoring drive and Toliver hauled in a nine-yard touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter to give Orlando a 42-41 lead with 14:18 left to play. Cleveland recovered Mark Lewis' ensuing onside kick and cashed in on the next play when Dieker threw an eleven-yard strike to Carlese Franklin. The Predators went on a five-play, 40-yard drive that tied the game at 48 when Prechae Rodriguez caught a ten-yard pass with 8:35 remaining. The tie was quickly broken when four plays later Dieker and Thyron Lewis connected for a 30-yard score. If Doug Plank or any of the Predators were unfamiliar with the phrase, "Anything you can do, I can do better", they quickly were made aware of it when Craig Camay and the Glads successfully executed an onside kick. Chris Dieker then led a seven-play drive that lasted three minutes and 45 seconds and gave Cleveland its largest lead when Camay nailed a 33-yard field goal with 50 seconds left. Aaron Garcia threw a 29-yard touchdown to Maurice Williams on the next play to quickly cut the margin to three with 41 seconds on the clock. Dominick Goodman recovered the ensuing onside kick and scored on a two-yard run to get the lead back to ten with 33 seconds to play. Orlando needed another quick score and an onside kick recovery. The quick score came in two plays when Garcia tossed a 26-yard touchdown to T.T. Toliver, but the onside kick was recovered by the Glads for a third and final time. Cleveland ran out the clock and completed an impressive 65-62 upset win in front of a great home crowd. The loss by Orlando keeps New Orleans in the American Conference playoff hunt and sets up an elimination game between the two in week nineteen.
Stat Leaders:
Orlando (6-11) Cleveland (4-13)
Aaron Garcia 22-32, 353 yds, 8 TD Chris Dieker 24-41, 273 yds, 6TD, Int;
T.T. Toliver 10 rec, 182 yds, 5 TD 16 rush yds, 2 TD
Jason Geathers 7 rec, 81 yds, TD Dominick Goodman 9 rec, 59 yds, 3 Total TD
Prechae Rodriguez 3 rec, 43 yds, TD Thyron Lewis 8 rec, 153 yds, 3 TD
Tanner Varner 10 tackles, Int Carlese Franklin 5 rec, 46 yds, TD
Mark Robinson sack Craig Camay 1-1 FG (33), 8-9 PAT
Pittsburgh Power 48, Tampa Bay Storm 37
The Power traveled to Tampa Bay to try and replicate what their east division foes did, play spoiler to a potential playoff team. Scenarios: Tampa Bay: clinched a playoff berth with a win or a loss by New Orleans. Pittsburgh: already eliminated.
Both offenses got off to slow starts, and that's putting it politely, as each side's opening possession resulted in a four-and-out. The first points of the night came at the hands of the Power defense. Chris Davis caught a seven-yard pass but fumbled as he was hit by Gary Butler, Alvin Ray Jackson recovered and lateraled the ball to Sergio Gilliam who returned it fifteen yards for a touchdown. The Storm offense had another four-and-out, Shane Austin completed a twenty-yard pass to Christian Wise, and he scored on a three-yard run on the next play to give the black and gold an early 14-0 advantage. The Storm finally got on the board when Randy Hippeard completed three straight passes, the third of which a twelve-yard strike to Joe Hills. The Storm cut the deficit to five when Rodney Beamon recorded a safety of Austin two plays later. The defense kept the Power in the lead when they forced another stop on downs, but the offense gave it away when R.J. Roberts punched the ball out of Shane Austin's grip on first and goal and turned it into a 49-yard scoop-and-score that gave Tampa Bay a 16-14 lead. After each offense sputtered again, Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead when Austin found Tyrone Collins for a twelve-yard touchdown with 1:26 left before halftime. Randy Hippeard quickly moved the Storm into scoring range, but his last two passes of the half fell incomplete; keeping Pittsburgh up by five. The Storm defense continued the trend of the night and began the third quarter with a stop on downs at Pittsburgh's seven-yard line, setting up Joe Hills' five-yard touchdown. After both offenses sputtered again, Shane Austin directed an eight-play scoring drive that gave the lead back to the Power on Mike Washington's sixteen-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Randy Hippeard answered with a quick three-play, 30-yard drive that concluded on Chris Davis' nineteen-yard touchdown. The Power didn't trail for long as Austin and Collins hooked for the second time on a beautiful 44-yard deep ball with 8:46 remaining. The Power defense forced another stop on downs with three straight incompletions by Hippeard. Mike Washington hauled in another touchdown, a 23-yarder, to give Pittsburgh a comfortable 42-30 with four minutes to play. Randy Hippeard was sacked on each of the first two plays of Tampa Bay's ensuing drive but was still able to complete three passes in a row, highlighted by a nine-yard toss to Jason Cherry, that made it 42-37 with 55 seconds left. The Power recovered the onside kick and Shane Austin walked an option-keeper nine yards into the end zone on the next play to quickly build the lead back to eleven. Three plays later, Sergio Gilliam sealed the win with an interception deep inside his territory. Despite the loss, Tampa Bay still was able to clinch an American Conference wild card as a result of New Orleans' loss. The Power follow their east coast rivals and pulled off a sizeable upset, that also ended a seven-game losing streak for Pittsburgh.
Stat Leaders:
Pittsburgh (4-13) Tampa Bay (7-10)
Shane Austin 18-32, 249 yds, 4 TD; Randy Hippeard 25-45, 202 yds, 4TD, Int
22 rush yds, 2 TD Chris Davis 10 rec, 88 yds, TD
Mike Washington 6 rec, 109 yds, 2 TD Joe Hills 7 rec, 49 yds, 2 TD
Tyrone Collins 8 rec, 97 yds, 2 TD Rodney Beamon/Demarcus Tyler sack each
Gary Butler 6 tacles, 2 sacks
Power D: Int, Fumb Rec, 6 sacks, Def TD
Utah Blaze 55, Iowa Barnstormers 41
The Barnstormers hosted the Blaze in the lone meaningless game in week eighteen. Both Iowa and Utah have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so nothing was at stake in this matchup.
Brian Reader and Tommy Grady each traded touchdown passes on their opening series, an interception by Arness Ikner gave Utah an opportunity to grab their first lead. Kyle Brotzman delivered with a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the first quarter. Arness Ikner grabbed his second interception of the game and returned it 26 yards for a pick-six on Iowa's next possession. pushing the lead to 17-7. Both offenses traded touchdowns the rest of the half, which had Utah leading 31-21. Dejay Lester and Marco Thomas traded touchdown receptions in the third quarter to keep the difference at ten entering the final frame. Ter'Ran Benton made a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff and Thomas hauled in a three-yard pass to pull the 'Stormers within three with 14:10 to play. LaVaughn Macon fielded the next kickoff for Utah and returned it 24 yards to spark a four-play, 34-yard drive that ended with his own seventeen-yard touchdown. The Blaze defense sealed the game on the next possession by forcing three straight incompletions from J.J. Raterink to earn a stop on downs. Four plays later, Tommy Grady threw a thirteen-yard touchdown to Dejay Lester to push the lead to three scores. J.J. Raterink connected with Jesse Schmidt for a 33-yard strike two plays later. Utah recovered the onside kick and Kyle Brotzman was good on a 23-yard field goal for the night's final points, in what turned out to be a 55-41 road win for Utah. Both teams are playing out the stretch for pride and now are both 6-11 heading into the final week of the 2013 season.
Stat Leaders:
Utah (6-11) Iowa (6-11)
Tommy Grady 19-34, 231 yds, 4TD; J.J. Raterink 13-23, 157 yds, 4TD, Rush TD
11 rush yds Marco Thomas 9 rec, 86 yds, 2 TD; 20 rush yds
Chase Deadder 7 rec, 65 yds, 3 Total TD Jesse Schmidt 4 rec, 79 yds, 2 TD
Dejay Lester 7 rec, 66 yds, 2 TD Mike Lewis/William Stokes 0.5 sack each
Arness Ikner 2 Int, Def TD
Keenan Mace 1.5 sacks
Kyle Brotzman 2-2 FG (23), 7-7 PAT
Chicago Rush 63, Arizona Rattlers 42
Chicago traveled to the Snake pit in a game between potential playoff opponents. Scenarios: Chicago: could unofficially clinch the central with a win because of San Antonio's loss. Arizona: already locked in as the number one seed in the National Conference.
Arkeith Brown got things started on an electric note when he returned the opening kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown, to quickly produce the night's first points. Carson Coffman threw two touchdowns and Nick Davila threw and ran for a score, while each completing five passes, on their first two series. Marquis Floyd made the first defensive play of the night when he denied Coffman of a third first-quarter touchdown toss by intercepting his pass in the end zone, that sent Arizona into the second quarter with a 21-14 advantage. Arizona was unable to capitalize on the early stop and committed a four-and-out themselves, setting up J.J. Payne's two-yard run on the next play that re-tied the game. The offensive woes continued for the snakes on the next series when at the end of a six-yard run Odie Armstrong fumbled and Kelvin Morris scooped it up at the Arizona fifteen-yard line. This time, it was Chicago who failed to capitalize on a turnover as three plays later Coffman was picked off by Virgil Gray. The Rattlers retook the lead when Nick Davila fired a six-yard strike to Rod Windsor with 6:38 left in the first half. Carson Coffman responded by leading a seven-play, 47-yard drive that tied the game on Jared Jenkins' two-yard touchdown. The Rattlers recovered the ensuing onside kick, but lost a second fumble when on fourth and goal Davila mishandled the snap and Jorrick Calvin fell on the loose ball at his own two-yard line. In a span of fifteen second Carson Coffman and Reggie Gray connected on three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown to give Chicago its first lead. The Rush were assured of a halftime lead when Semaj Moody intercepted Davila's final pass of the second quarter. Chicago received the opening kick of the second half and with it had a great opportunity to double their lead. Carson Coffman engineered a nine-play, six-minute drive that ended empty handed when he failed to find an open receiver on three straight plays from Arizona's nine-yard line and Jose Martinez missed a 24-yard field goal. Nick Davila started the third quarter with a sixteen-yard completion to Jared Perry, but two plays later threw his second interception, this time to Vic Hall who returned it to Arizona's eighteen. It took until the middle of the third quarter, but Chicago doubled its lead on a nifty trick play that saw Coffman hand the ball to Reggie Gray on a receiver sweep, and Gray planted and threw a seventeen-yard touchdown to a wide open Colin Madison. The turnover problems began to mount for Arizona. On a nine-yard catch Maurice Purify lost the ball when Vic Hall punched it loose, and Jorrick Calvin scooped it up and returned it for a score that pushed Chicago's lead to 49-28 late in the quarter. The Rattlers desperately needed a score, not a common thing that is said, but a five-play drive finished empty-handed when Davila was intercepted again by Vic Hall. Carson Coffman led a nine-play, five-minute drive into the fourth quarter that put the game away on his five-yard touchdown pass to Jared Jenkins. Jason Murrietta led a pair of touchdown drives, but it was nowhere near enough to compensate a seven-turnover night for the Rattlers who suffer their first home loss of the season. In a huge 63-42 win for Chicago, the Rush move to 10-7 and unofficially clinch the central division by doing something that no one else had done to this point in the season; winning in the Snake pit.
Stat Leaders:
Chicago (10-7) Arizona (14-3)
Carson Coffman 21-38, 262 yds, 5TD, Nick Davila 17-33, 235 yds, 2TD, 3 Int; Rush TD
2 Int; Rush TD Maurice Purify 7 rec, 101 yds
Reggie Gray 9 rec, 135 yds, 3 TD; Rod Windsor 6 rec, 97 yds, 3 TD
17-yd TD Pass Jared Perry 5 rec, 79 yds
Landon Cox 5 rec, 47 yds Virgil Gray 11 tackles, Int
Jared Jenkins 5 rec, 44 yds, 2 TD Marquis Floyd Int
Vic Hall 9 tackles, 3 Int, FF Arkeith Brown Kick-ret TD
Jorrick Calvin 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD
Jose Martinez 0-2 FG, 9-9 PAT
Philadelphia Soul 65, San Jose Sabercats 43
The Soul have arguably been the AFL's hottest team since the summer rolled around, and continued to look every bit of it as they traveled to H.P. Pavilion to face the Sabercats. Scenarios: Philadelphia: since Jacksonville already won, needed a win to keep the lead in the race for home field advantage in the American Conference. San Jose: a win keeps them even with Spokane in the N.C. wild card chase, a loss clinches them the fourth seed and Spokane the third seed.
San Jose got off to its ugliest start of the season, as Russ Michna completed only three of his first eighteen passes (16.7%) for 30 yards on the first four possessions of the game. During a stretch that saw thirteen straight passes hit the carpet, the Soul were off and running. Dan Raudabaugh completed three of his first passes on his opening drive that resulted in an eight-yard score by Andrae Thurman. The Soul found themselves in front by a score of 27-0 midway through the second quarter after Derrick Ross added a one-yard rushing score and Tiger Jones hauled in a pair of touchdowns on Philadelphia's previous three possessions. San Jose wasn't about to go down without a fight in their own den and clawed back with 21 unanswered points of their own, highlighted by an onside kick recovery and three James Roe touchdowns, to close the gap to six with seven seconds left in the half. Dan Raudabaugh completed two short passes to Emery Sammons that setup a 47-yard field goal that Carlos Martinez drilled to send the Soul into halftime up 30-21. Dan Raudabaugh opened the second half by leading an eight-play, six-and-half minute drive that grew the lead back to three scores on Larry Brackins' four-yard touchdown. The off night for the 'Cats continued when Russ Michna's first pass of the third quarter fell into the hands of Rayshaun Kizer; giving the ball right back to Philadelphia. Raudabaugh and the Soul went on another eight-play scoring drive, this time ending on Andrae Thurman's six-yard run on a receiver-sweep that pushed the lead to 44-21 entering the fourth quarter. With the game already out of hand, the final period was a back-and-forth battle that saw each team put up three scores and commit sloppy turnovers. James Roe's return to the Sabercats was spoiled by a disappointing and sloppy performance from everyone in green and gold. The 65-43 win for Philadelphia keeps them in the lead for home field in the American Conference by one-game over Jacksonville. The loss by San Jose clinches them the four seed and Spokane the three seed in the National Conference.
Stat Leaders:
Philadelphia (12-5) San Jose (12-5)
Dan Raudabaugh 20-33, 181 yds, 5TD Russ Michna 15-37, 206 yds, 5TD, Int
Derrick Ross 11 rush, 21 yds, 2 TD Huey Whittaker 4 rec, 81 yds, TD, Int-ret TD
Andrae Thurman 9 rec, 94 yds, 2 Total TD James Roe 6 rec, 70 yds, 3 TD
Tiger Jones 7 rec, 60 yds, 3 TD Jason Willis 3 rec, 30 yds, TD
Calvin Fance 2 sacks
LaRico Stevenson FF, 2 Fumb Rec
Carlos Martinez 1-1 FG (47), 8-9 PAT
Week 18 Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week: Chris Dieker, Cleveland Quarterback
- Chris Dieker wowed in a 65-62 win for the Gladiators on CBS Sports Network. He completed 24 of 41 passes for 273 yards and six touchdowns, while also adding 16 yards and two scores on the ground. Cleveland may be out of the postseason conversation, but they played a big part in possibly shaping the playoff picture.
Defensive Player of the Week: Vic Hall, Chicago Defensive Back
- Vic Hall was a one-man wrecking crew in sparking the Rush's 63-42 upset of Arizona. To go along with recording nine tackles, he forced a fumble and snagged three interceptions off Nick Davila to help the Rush secure a central division crown and hand the Rattlers their first home loss of 2013.
Playmaker of the Week: T.T. Toliver, Orlando Wide Receiver
- Despite a tough loss, T.T. Toliver had himself a night to remember in the Predators 65-62 defeat at Cleveland. He hauled in ten passes for 182 yards and five touchdowns, leading all Predator receivers. Toliver also became the seventh receiver in AFL history to notch 900 career receptions.
For more on any of these seven games, or the Arena Football League go to: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/sched/afl-a-footbl-sched.html
Spokane Shock 77, San Antonio Talons 30
The Talons traveled to Deaf Valley for a critical late-season meeting with the Shock. Scenarios: Spokane: with a win and a San Jose loss would clinch the top N.C. wild card (3 seed). San Antonio: need a win to keep pace in the central division; the final playoff spot in the National Conference.
In a hostile environment it was a key for San Antonio to get off to a hot start, and they did when Rohan Davey found D.J. Stephens in-stride for a 39-yard touchdown on fourth down to give the Talons the first points of the night. The Talon defense forced a quick four-and-out, which setup Stefan Demos for a 24-yard field goal that he put down the middle to extend the lead to 10-0. A 36-yard return by Terrance Sanders and a sixteen-yard reception by Brandon Thompkins quickly sparked the Shock offense's second drive that netted their first points on a three-yard grab by Kamar Jorden. Paul Stephens nabbed his first of what would be three interceptions and Erik Meyer hit Jorden for a 24-yard score two plays later to give Spokane the lead heading into the second quarter. Rohan Davey had back-to-back completions to D.J. Stephens for 39 yards and hit Dallas Baker for a nine-yard score to get the Talons back on top. Spokane didn't trail for long as Terrance Sanders returned the ensuing kick 56 yards for a touchdown, which started a string of twenty unanswered points for the blue and orange. Terrance Taylor was credited with a strip-sack of Davey in the end zone that Diyral Briggs recovered for second quick Shock touchdown and Paul Stephens recorded his second pick all in a five-play span for San Antonio that broke the game open. Erik Meyer pushed Spokane's lead to 33-17 with a one-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal, but the Talons would strike back with a six-play scoring drive that ended on D.J. Stephens' two-yard touchdown catch, making it 33-24 at the half. Erik Meyer led a five-play, three-minute drive that opened a dominant third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown to Adron Tennell that got the lead back to sixteen. San Antonio was digging themselves a hole and it only got deeper when Davey was sacked in the end zone for a safety on his first snap of the quarter and on the next play Meyer connected with Kamar Jorden for a 35-yard score. The Shock continued to roll as Terence Moore returned an interception for a touchdown and Terrance Sanders grabbed an interception on the next two Talon possessions. Arvell Nelson scored on a three-yard run to extend Spokane's lead to 63-24 and Paul Stephens made his third interception to cap off a dominate 30-0 third quarter that sealed another victory in Deaf Valley for the Shock. Chad Cook scored the Talons' only points of the second half on a nine-yard run late in the fourth, but it was a small bright spot in a 77-30 thrashing at the hands of Spokane. The win put the Shock in prime position to earn the three seed in the National Conference, while San Antonio's playoff hopes took a major hit.
Stat Leaders:
San Antonio (9-8) Spokane (13-4)
Rohan Davey 18-39, 214 yds, 3TD, 5 Int Erik Meyer 8-15, 153 yds, 4TD; Rush TD
Chad Cook 5 rush, 37 yds, TD Adron Tennell 6 rec, 73 yds, 3 Total TD
D.J. Stephens 7 rec, 102 yds, 2 TD Kamar Jorden 4 rec, 86 yds, 3 TD
Dallas Baker 3 rec, 29 yds, TD Paul Stephens 3 Int
Joe Sykes 5 tackles, sack Terrance Sanders Int, Kick-ret TD
Stefan Demos 1-1 FG (24), 3-3 PAT Terence Moore Int-ret TD, Fumb Rec
Terrance Taylor 3 sacks
Jacksonville Sharks 58, New Orleans VooDoo 49
This late-season south division tilt held big stakes for both the VooDoo and Sharks. Scenarios: Jacksonville: with a win keeps their chance for A.C. homefield. New Orleans: a win keeps their playoff hopes alive; a loss and an Orlando win would eliminate them.
This southern battle got off to a fast start as Bernard Morris and Chris Dixon traded touchdown passes on the first three possessions. The game's first stop came when the Shark defense forced a four-and-out that was highlighted by a Jerry Turner third-down sack. Jacksonville earned its first bit of breathing space when Morris found Jeron Harvey on the next play for a six-yard score. A sack by Jamaal Fudge on New Orleans' next drive also highlighted a four-and-out that allowed the lead to stretch to 28-7 on Harvey's second touchdown catch of the quarter. Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a seventeen-yard touchdown to Donovan Morgan that ended a four-play scoring drive. Bernard Morris countered with an eleven-play, seven-and-half minute drive that moved the margin back to three touchdowns on a three-yard catch by Markee White. Trailing by 21 with 2:05 left in the first half things looked bleak for New Orleans, but that turned around when Dixon threw a seven-yard dart to Courtney Smith that ended a six-play scoring drive and on the Sharks' next play Markee White fumbled at his own eleven-yard line with 22 seconds remaining. Quorey Payne caught an eight-yard touchdown two plays later to close the gap to 35-28 at halftime. The VooDoo's attempt at a comeback took a wrong turn when the opening drive of the third quarter failed to produce any points and Bernard Morris tossed a 22-yard score to Jeron Harvey on the Sharks' first possession. Once again, Chris Dixon kept the VooDoo in it with a twelve-yard strike to Donovan Morgan in the middle of the quarter. Jacksonville answered with an eight-play, six-minute drive that expanded their lead to ten on Marco Capozzoli's 24-yard field goal that sent the game into the fourth quarter. The final period began as a back and forth battle that saw each offense exchange touchdown drives in the first nine minutes of the period. The Sharks nearly sealed the victory on New Orleans' second series of the period, but were unable to when Chris Dixon found L.J. Castille for a 38-yard touchdown on fourth-and-ten. Just like their counterparts, the VooDoo defense nearly made a game-changing stop of their own, but Bernard Morris rolled into the end zone on an option-keeper to give Jacksonville a 58-49 lead with 31 seconds to play. Derrick Summers sacked Dixon on second down and Michaeux Robinson intercepted him on the final play of the game to secure a pivotal division win for the Sharks that's keeps their chances at home field advantage alive. The loss didn't eliminate the VooDoo, but it clinched a playoff berth for Tampa Bay and gave Orlando the chance to secure a spot in this year's playoffs with their game at Cleveland.
Stat Leaders:
Jacksonville (11-6) New Orleans (5-12)
Bernard Morris 23-36, 250 yds, 5TD; Chris Dixon 18-30, 262 yds, 7TD, Int
31 rush yds, 2 TD Donovan Morgan 6 rec, 112 yds, 3 TD
Jeron Harvey 9 rec, 115 yds, 3 TD L.J. Castille 4 rec, 76 yds, 2 TD
Markee White 6 rec, 83 yds, 2 TD Chris Brown 8 tackles, Fumb Rec
Jerry Turner 3 sacks Kenny Spencer 0-1 FG, 7-7 PAT
Sharks D: Int, 7 sacks
Marco Capozzoli 1-1 FG (24), 7-8 PAT
Cleveland Gladiators 65, Orlando Predators 62
On paper week eighteen's CBS Sports Network broadcast looked to be an insignificant mismatch, but for all who tuned in were rewarded with a classic AFL treat. The Predators traveled to Cleveland with a huge opportunity. Scenarios: Cleveland: already eliminated, trying to play spoiler. Orlando: with a win would clinch a playoff berth as a result of New Orleans' loss.
On the primetime stage, both offenses got off to furious starts. Chris Dieker and Aaron Garcia traded touchdown passes on each of their first two series to enter the second quarter tied at fourteen. The Gladiator defense came away with the first stop on the opening series of the second period when a holding penalty and back-to-back incompletions created a fourth-and-seventeen. Jacob Hardwick broke into the backfield and sacked Garcia on the play to force a turnover on downs. The Glads took the lead two plays later on Dieker's four-yard touchdown run. Orlando didn't trail for long as Aaron Garcia led a five-play, 46-yard drive that ended on Jason Geather's eight-yard grab. The Preds created the first bit of distance on the night when Tanner Varner returned an interception thirteen yards for a score two plays later to expand the lead to 28-20 with 4:52 left in the first half. The touchdown trading continued as Chris Dieker threw a 47-yard score to Thyron Lewis. It looked as if the Preds would take an eight-point lead into the break, but the Cleveland defense stood strong and made a huge goal-line stand to keep the score at 28-27 entering the intermission. Chris Dieker lead the Gladiators on a seven-play, five-minute drive that put them back in the lead on Dominick Goodman's five-yard touchdown to open the third quarter. Aaron Garcia answered back a couple plays later with a 28-yard strike to T.T. Toliver that gave a one-point lead back to the Predators with 7:51 left in the third. Chris Dieker scored on a four-yard run to cap off a nine-play scoring drive and Toliver hauled in a nine-yard touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter to give Orlando a 42-41 lead with 14:18 left to play. Cleveland recovered Mark Lewis' ensuing onside kick and cashed in on the next play when Dieker threw an eleven-yard strike to Carlese Franklin. The Predators went on a five-play, 40-yard drive that tied the game at 48 when Prechae Rodriguez caught a ten-yard pass with 8:35 remaining. The tie was quickly broken when four plays later Dieker and Thyron Lewis connected for a 30-yard score. If Doug Plank or any of the Predators were unfamiliar with the phrase, "Anything you can do, I can do better", they quickly were made aware of it when Craig Camay and the Glads successfully executed an onside kick. Chris Dieker then led a seven-play drive that lasted three minutes and 45 seconds and gave Cleveland its largest lead when Camay nailed a 33-yard field goal with 50 seconds left. Aaron Garcia threw a 29-yard touchdown to Maurice Williams on the next play to quickly cut the margin to three with 41 seconds on the clock. Dominick Goodman recovered the ensuing onside kick and scored on a two-yard run to get the lead back to ten with 33 seconds to play. Orlando needed another quick score and an onside kick recovery. The quick score came in two plays when Garcia tossed a 26-yard touchdown to T.T. Toliver, but the onside kick was recovered by the Glads for a third and final time. Cleveland ran out the clock and completed an impressive 65-62 upset win in front of a great home crowd. The loss by Orlando keeps New Orleans in the American Conference playoff hunt and sets up an elimination game between the two in week nineteen.
Stat Leaders:
Orlando (6-11) Cleveland (4-13)
Aaron Garcia 22-32, 353 yds, 8 TD Chris Dieker 24-41, 273 yds, 6TD, Int;
T.T. Toliver 10 rec, 182 yds, 5 TD 16 rush yds, 2 TD
Jason Geathers 7 rec, 81 yds, TD Dominick Goodman 9 rec, 59 yds, 3 Total TD
Prechae Rodriguez 3 rec, 43 yds, TD Thyron Lewis 8 rec, 153 yds, 3 TD
Tanner Varner 10 tackles, Int Carlese Franklin 5 rec, 46 yds, TD
Mark Robinson sack Craig Camay 1-1 FG (33), 8-9 PAT
Pittsburgh Power 48, Tampa Bay Storm 37
The Power traveled to Tampa Bay to try and replicate what their east division foes did, play spoiler to a potential playoff team. Scenarios: Tampa Bay: clinched a playoff berth with a win or a loss by New Orleans. Pittsburgh: already eliminated.
Both offenses got off to slow starts, and that's putting it politely, as each side's opening possession resulted in a four-and-out. The first points of the night came at the hands of the Power defense. Chris Davis caught a seven-yard pass but fumbled as he was hit by Gary Butler, Alvin Ray Jackson recovered and lateraled the ball to Sergio Gilliam who returned it fifteen yards for a touchdown. The Storm offense had another four-and-out, Shane Austin completed a twenty-yard pass to Christian Wise, and he scored on a three-yard run on the next play to give the black and gold an early 14-0 advantage. The Storm finally got on the board when Randy Hippeard completed three straight passes, the third of which a twelve-yard strike to Joe Hills. The Storm cut the deficit to five when Rodney Beamon recorded a safety of Austin two plays later. The defense kept the Power in the lead when they forced another stop on downs, but the offense gave it away when R.J. Roberts punched the ball out of Shane Austin's grip on first and goal and turned it into a 49-yard scoop-and-score that gave Tampa Bay a 16-14 lead. After each offense sputtered again, Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead when Austin found Tyrone Collins for a twelve-yard touchdown with 1:26 left before halftime. Randy Hippeard quickly moved the Storm into scoring range, but his last two passes of the half fell incomplete; keeping Pittsburgh up by five. The Storm defense continued the trend of the night and began the third quarter with a stop on downs at Pittsburgh's seven-yard line, setting up Joe Hills' five-yard touchdown. After both offenses sputtered again, Shane Austin directed an eight-play scoring drive that gave the lead back to the Power on Mike Washington's sixteen-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Randy Hippeard answered with a quick three-play, 30-yard drive that concluded on Chris Davis' nineteen-yard touchdown. The Power didn't trail for long as Austin and Collins hooked for the second time on a beautiful 44-yard deep ball with 8:46 remaining. The Power defense forced another stop on downs with three straight incompletions by Hippeard. Mike Washington hauled in another touchdown, a 23-yarder, to give Pittsburgh a comfortable 42-30 with four minutes to play. Randy Hippeard was sacked on each of the first two plays of Tampa Bay's ensuing drive but was still able to complete three passes in a row, highlighted by a nine-yard toss to Jason Cherry, that made it 42-37 with 55 seconds left. The Power recovered the onside kick and Shane Austin walked an option-keeper nine yards into the end zone on the next play to quickly build the lead back to eleven. Three plays later, Sergio Gilliam sealed the win with an interception deep inside his territory. Despite the loss, Tampa Bay still was able to clinch an American Conference wild card as a result of New Orleans' loss. The Power follow their east coast rivals and pulled off a sizeable upset, that also ended a seven-game losing streak for Pittsburgh.
Stat Leaders:
Pittsburgh (4-13) Tampa Bay (7-10)
Shane Austin 18-32, 249 yds, 4 TD; Randy Hippeard 25-45, 202 yds, 4TD, Int
22 rush yds, 2 TD Chris Davis 10 rec, 88 yds, TD
Mike Washington 6 rec, 109 yds, 2 TD Joe Hills 7 rec, 49 yds, 2 TD
Tyrone Collins 8 rec, 97 yds, 2 TD Rodney Beamon/Demarcus Tyler sack each
Gary Butler 6 tacles, 2 sacks
Power D: Int, Fumb Rec, 6 sacks, Def TD
Utah Blaze 55, Iowa Barnstormers 41
The Barnstormers hosted the Blaze in the lone meaningless game in week eighteen. Both Iowa and Utah have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so nothing was at stake in this matchup.
Brian Reader and Tommy Grady each traded touchdown passes on their opening series, an interception by Arness Ikner gave Utah an opportunity to grab their first lead. Kyle Brotzman delivered with a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the first quarter. Arness Ikner grabbed his second interception of the game and returned it 26 yards for a pick-six on Iowa's next possession. pushing the lead to 17-7. Both offenses traded touchdowns the rest of the half, which had Utah leading 31-21. Dejay Lester and Marco Thomas traded touchdown receptions in the third quarter to keep the difference at ten entering the final frame. Ter'Ran Benton made a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff and Thomas hauled in a three-yard pass to pull the 'Stormers within three with 14:10 to play. LaVaughn Macon fielded the next kickoff for Utah and returned it 24 yards to spark a four-play, 34-yard drive that ended with his own seventeen-yard touchdown. The Blaze defense sealed the game on the next possession by forcing three straight incompletions from J.J. Raterink to earn a stop on downs. Four plays later, Tommy Grady threw a thirteen-yard touchdown to Dejay Lester to push the lead to three scores. J.J. Raterink connected with Jesse Schmidt for a 33-yard strike two plays later. Utah recovered the onside kick and Kyle Brotzman was good on a 23-yard field goal for the night's final points, in what turned out to be a 55-41 road win for Utah. Both teams are playing out the stretch for pride and now are both 6-11 heading into the final week of the 2013 season.
Stat Leaders:
Utah (6-11) Iowa (6-11)
Tommy Grady 19-34, 231 yds, 4TD; J.J. Raterink 13-23, 157 yds, 4TD, Rush TD
11 rush yds Marco Thomas 9 rec, 86 yds, 2 TD; 20 rush yds
Chase Deadder 7 rec, 65 yds, 3 Total TD Jesse Schmidt 4 rec, 79 yds, 2 TD
Dejay Lester 7 rec, 66 yds, 2 TD Mike Lewis/William Stokes 0.5 sack each
Arness Ikner 2 Int, Def TD
Keenan Mace 1.5 sacks
Kyle Brotzman 2-2 FG (23), 7-7 PAT
Chicago Rush 63, Arizona Rattlers 42
Chicago traveled to the Snake pit in a game between potential playoff opponents. Scenarios: Chicago: could unofficially clinch the central with a win because of San Antonio's loss. Arizona: already locked in as the number one seed in the National Conference.
Arkeith Brown got things started on an electric note when he returned the opening kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown, to quickly produce the night's first points. Carson Coffman threw two touchdowns and Nick Davila threw and ran for a score, while each completing five passes, on their first two series. Marquis Floyd made the first defensive play of the night when he denied Coffman of a third first-quarter touchdown toss by intercepting his pass in the end zone, that sent Arizona into the second quarter with a 21-14 advantage. Arizona was unable to capitalize on the early stop and committed a four-and-out themselves, setting up J.J. Payne's two-yard run on the next play that re-tied the game. The offensive woes continued for the snakes on the next series when at the end of a six-yard run Odie Armstrong fumbled and Kelvin Morris scooped it up at the Arizona fifteen-yard line. This time, it was Chicago who failed to capitalize on a turnover as three plays later Coffman was picked off by Virgil Gray. The Rattlers retook the lead when Nick Davila fired a six-yard strike to Rod Windsor with 6:38 left in the first half. Carson Coffman responded by leading a seven-play, 47-yard drive that tied the game on Jared Jenkins' two-yard touchdown. The Rattlers recovered the ensuing onside kick, but lost a second fumble when on fourth and goal Davila mishandled the snap and Jorrick Calvin fell on the loose ball at his own two-yard line. In a span of fifteen second Carson Coffman and Reggie Gray connected on three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown to give Chicago its first lead. The Rush were assured of a halftime lead when Semaj Moody intercepted Davila's final pass of the second quarter. Chicago received the opening kick of the second half and with it had a great opportunity to double their lead. Carson Coffman engineered a nine-play, six-minute drive that ended empty handed when he failed to find an open receiver on three straight plays from Arizona's nine-yard line and Jose Martinez missed a 24-yard field goal. Nick Davila started the third quarter with a sixteen-yard completion to Jared Perry, but two plays later threw his second interception, this time to Vic Hall who returned it to Arizona's eighteen. It took until the middle of the third quarter, but Chicago doubled its lead on a nifty trick play that saw Coffman hand the ball to Reggie Gray on a receiver sweep, and Gray planted and threw a seventeen-yard touchdown to a wide open Colin Madison. The turnover problems began to mount for Arizona. On a nine-yard catch Maurice Purify lost the ball when Vic Hall punched it loose, and Jorrick Calvin scooped it up and returned it for a score that pushed Chicago's lead to 49-28 late in the quarter. The Rattlers desperately needed a score, not a common thing that is said, but a five-play drive finished empty-handed when Davila was intercepted again by Vic Hall. Carson Coffman led a nine-play, five-minute drive into the fourth quarter that put the game away on his five-yard touchdown pass to Jared Jenkins. Jason Murrietta led a pair of touchdown drives, but it was nowhere near enough to compensate a seven-turnover night for the Rattlers who suffer their first home loss of the season. In a huge 63-42 win for Chicago, the Rush move to 10-7 and unofficially clinch the central division by doing something that no one else had done to this point in the season; winning in the Snake pit.
Stat Leaders:
Chicago (10-7) Arizona (14-3)
Carson Coffman 21-38, 262 yds, 5TD, Nick Davila 17-33, 235 yds, 2TD, 3 Int; Rush TD
2 Int; Rush TD Maurice Purify 7 rec, 101 yds
Reggie Gray 9 rec, 135 yds, 3 TD; Rod Windsor 6 rec, 97 yds, 3 TD
17-yd TD Pass Jared Perry 5 rec, 79 yds
Landon Cox 5 rec, 47 yds Virgil Gray 11 tackles, Int
Jared Jenkins 5 rec, 44 yds, 2 TD Marquis Floyd Int
Vic Hall 9 tackles, 3 Int, FF Arkeith Brown Kick-ret TD
Jorrick Calvin 2 Fumb Rec, Def TD
Jose Martinez 0-2 FG, 9-9 PAT
Philadelphia Soul 65, San Jose Sabercats 43
The Soul have arguably been the AFL's hottest team since the summer rolled around, and continued to look every bit of it as they traveled to H.P. Pavilion to face the Sabercats. Scenarios: Philadelphia: since Jacksonville already won, needed a win to keep the lead in the race for home field advantage in the American Conference. San Jose: a win keeps them even with Spokane in the N.C. wild card chase, a loss clinches them the fourth seed and Spokane the third seed.
San Jose got off to its ugliest start of the season, as Russ Michna completed only three of his first eighteen passes (16.7%) for 30 yards on the first four possessions of the game. During a stretch that saw thirteen straight passes hit the carpet, the Soul were off and running. Dan Raudabaugh completed three of his first passes on his opening drive that resulted in an eight-yard score by Andrae Thurman. The Soul found themselves in front by a score of 27-0 midway through the second quarter after Derrick Ross added a one-yard rushing score and Tiger Jones hauled in a pair of touchdowns on Philadelphia's previous three possessions. San Jose wasn't about to go down without a fight in their own den and clawed back with 21 unanswered points of their own, highlighted by an onside kick recovery and three James Roe touchdowns, to close the gap to six with seven seconds left in the half. Dan Raudabaugh completed two short passes to Emery Sammons that setup a 47-yard field goal that Carlos Martinez drilled to send the Soul into halftime up 30-21. Dan Raudabaugh opened the second half by leading an eight-play, six-and-half minute drive that grew the lead back to three scores on Larry Brackins' four-yard touchdown. The off night for the 'Cats continued when Russ Michna's first pass of the third quarter fell into the hands of Rayshaun Kizer; giving the ball right back to Philadelphia. Raudabaugh and the Soul went on another eight-play scoring drive, this time ending on Andrae Thurman's six-yard run on a receiver-sweep that pushed the lead to 44-21 entering the fourth quarter. With the game already out of hand, the final period was a back-and-forth battle that saw each team put up three scores and commit sloppy turnovers. James Roe's return to the Sabercats was spoiled by a disappointing and sloppy performance from everyone in green and gold. The 65-43 win for Philadelphia keeps them in the lead for home field in the American Conference by one-game over Jacksonville. The loss by San Jose clinches them the four seed and Spokane the three seed in the National Conference.
Stat Leaders:
Philadelphia (12-5) San Jose (12-5)
Dan Raudabaugh 20-33, 181 yds, 5TD Russ Michna 15-37, 206 yds, 5TD, Int
Derrick Ross 11 rush, 21 yds, 2 TD Huey Whittaker 4 rec, 81 yds, TD, Int-ret TD
Andrae Thurman 9 rec, 94 yds, 2 Total TD James Roe 6 rec, 70 yds, 3 TD
Tiger Jones 7 rec, 60 yds, 3 TD Jason Willis 3 rec, 30 yds, TD
Calvin Fance 2 sacks
LaRico Stevenson FF, 2 Fumb Rec
Carlos Martinez 1-1 FG (47), 8-9 PAT
Week 18 Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week: Chris Dieker, Cleveland Quarterback
- Chris Dieker wowed in a 65-62 win for the Gladiators on CBS Sports Network. He completed 24 of 41 passes for 273 yards and six touchdowns, while also adding 16 yards and two scores on the ground. Cleveland may be out of the postseason conversation, but they played a big part in possibly shaping the playoff picture.
Defensive Player of the Week: Vic Hall, Chicago Defensive Back
- Vic Hall was a one-man wrecking crew in sparking the Rush's 63-42 upset of Arizona. To go along with recording nine tackles, he forced a fumble and snagged three interceptions off Nick Davila to help the Rush secure a central division crown and hand the Rattlers their first home loss of 2013.
Playmaker of the Week: T.T. Toliver, Orlando Wide Receiver
- Despite a tough loss, T.T. Toliver had himself a night to remember in the Predators 65-62 defeat at Cleveland. He hauled in ten passes for 182 yards and five touchdowns, leading all Predator receivers. Toliver also became the seventh receiver in AFL history to notch 900 career receptions.
For more on any of these seven games, or the Arena Football League go to: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/sched/afl-a-footbl-sched.html
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