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Arizona Hotshots (2-1) at Salt Lake Stallions (1-2)
Final Score: Stallions 23, Hotshots 15
Recap: The Stallions came into this game looking to redeem themselves from their previous meeting with the Hotshots. They were defeated on the road 38-22 in the Week One matchup. As the saying goes, “there’s no place like home”, and that was proven to be true in this one. Salt Lake was led by quarterback Josh Woodrum who finished the game with 178 yards and a touchdown. He benefited from a solid performance from wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El who finished with eight receptions for 90 yards a touchdown. This game also marked the first game for receiver Kenny Bell, who hauled in four receptions for 39 yards. This victory gives the Stallions some hope after a disappointing 0-2 start to the season.
Arizona came into this game as the hottest team in the AAF and looking to keep things rolling. Things were looking good at halftime as they were tied 9-9 after a one-yard touchdown pass from John Wolford to Rashad Ross to end the half. Unfortunately, things would take a turn for the worst in the second half. Wolford was intercepted on the first play of the third quarter and was injured on the play. He was ruled out for the game and backup Trevor Knight was called on to take the reigns. Knight went 8/17 for 95 yards but couldn’t find the end zone. He would get one last chance to lead them to a comeback with an onside conversion attempt but would come up short, completing a pass to Ross for only seven yards. Hopefully, for the Hotshots, Wolford’s injury won’t be too bad or Knight can find a groove in this offense.
Notable Performances:
Salt Lake Stallions
Josh Woodrum (QB): 22/31, 178 Passing yds, 5.7 YPA, 1 Pass TD, 1 Pass 2-Pt, 2 Rush att, 6 rush yds
Joel Bouagnon (RB): 12 rush, 45 yds, 3.8 YPC, 1 TD, 1 rec. on 2 targets, 1 yd
De’Mornay Pierson-El (WR): 8 Receptions on 8 targets, 90 rec. yds, 1 TD, 1 2PT
Greer Martini (LB): 7 tackles (4 Solo), 2 PD, 1 INT
Arizona Hotshots
John Wolford (QB): 14/22, 127 Passing yds, 5.8 YPA, 1 Pass TD, 1 INT, 2 Rush att, 7 rush yds
Trevor Knight (QB): 8/17, 95 Passing yds, 5.6 YPA
Jhurell Pressley (RB): 10 rush, 34 yds, 3.4 YPC, 1 rec. on 4 targets, 3 yds
Rashad Ross (WR): 6 Receptions on 6 targets, 51 rec. yds, 1 TD
Erick Dargan (DB): 6 tackles (6 Solo)
Written by: Ryan Lippert
Memphis Express (0-3) at Orlando Apollos (3-0)
Final Score: Apollos 21, Express 17
Recap: Some may have thought they were going to get a blowout on Saturday when the winless Memphis Express went into Orlando to take on the dominate Apollos, and the first five minutes looked that way. Orlando made quick work on their first drive for six points to open the game. Then with the second play of Memphis’s opening drive, Christian Hackenberg made an ill-advised throw intended for WR Gerrard Sheppard that was intercepted by Apollos CB Keith Raiser. The Orlando Apollos followed that up with a field goal to take a 9-0 lead in the first 8 minutes of the game. After getting shutout in the first half, the Express coaching staff turned to backup QB Zach Mettenberger to create a spark.
This was a tale of two halves, as Mettenberger and company opened the third quarter by driving down the field and converting on a 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Devin Lucien. Zack and RB Sherman Bradie changed the culture of the Memphis offense. The Express put up 17 points in the second half, which was one less point than they had on the entire season. Unfortunately, the second half was also plagued with poor tackling by the Memphis defense. Orlando RB’s D’Ernest Johnson and De’Veon Smith gashed the Express front seven, averaging over 6 yards per carry and allowing Orlando to grind out the clock with the lead for the win.
Notable Performances:
Orlando Apollos
Garrett Gilbert (QB): 14/28, 207 Passing yds, 7.4 YPA, 1 TD, 0 INT, 7 carries, 41 yds, 1 TD.
D’Ernest Johnson (RB): 13 carries, 79 yds, 6.1 YPC, 1 TD, 1 rec. on 3 targets, 15 yds, TD.
Rannell Hall (WR): 4 Receptions on 6 targets, 68 rec. yds, 1TD.
Terence Garvin (LB): 2 tackles (2 Solo), 1 PD, 1 INT, 1 TD
Memphis Express
Zach Mettenberger (QB): 9/12, 120 Passing yds, 10 YPA, 1 Pass TD, 0 INT, 1 Pass 2-PT
Sherman Bradie (RB): 8 rush, 59 yds, 7.4 YPC, 1 rec. on 1 target, 16 yds.
Devin Lucien (WR): 3 Receptions on 3 targets, 51 rec. yds, 1 TD.
Davis Tull (LB): 4 tackles (4 Solo), 1TFL, 1 sack, 1 QB Hits.
Written by: David Connors @connors_david
Birmingham Iron (3-0) at Atlanta Legends (0-3)
Final Score: Iron 28, Legends 12
Recap:
The Birmingham Iron started their first road game with an impressive victory over the Atlanta Legends 28 – 12. The Iron continued their defensive dominance by only allowing the Legends to a total of forty-three rushing yards overall. In the first half, the Iron played tough defense by limiting Atlanta’s several red zone appearances to field goals. Birmingham got contributions from Max Redfield, Jack Tocho, and Jamar Summers, who all contributed to the defense with interceptions. For the third week in a row, Trent Richardson propelled his team to a victory with 17 attempts for 46 yards and 3 touchdowns. Richardson was the workhorse for the game but shared time in the backfield with Ladarius Perkins, who contributed with 26 yards on the field. Luis Perez and the Iron offense played mistake-free football until the second half. After the win on Sunday, the Birmingham Iron is only one of two teams remaining undefeated in the American Alliance Football League. Birmingham will return home to face San Antonio on March 3rd, 2019.
The Legends played a competitive game on Sunday until the defense got fatigued due to the offense’s inability to produce successful scoring drives in the red zone. Matt Simms had a decent game for the Legends by passing for 328 yards and 3 Ints in crucial moments of the game. Simms struggled to connect with receivers at times during several trips to near the endzone. The Legends offense showed signs of promise at times, moving the ball on the Iron’s stingy defense but only creating marginal outcome. However, the Legend defense showed signs of promise for the 0-3 team, holding the Iron to only 9 points in the first half. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough for Iron’s running game.
Notable Performances:
Birmingham Iron
Luis Perez (QB): 17/31 160 Passing yds, 58.4 YPA, 0 Pass TD, 1 INT, 2 Rush att, -3 rush yds.
Trent Richardson (RB): 46 rush, yds, 2.7 YPC, 3 TD, Rush 2-PT, 3 rec. on 3 target, 4yds, 0TD
Quinton Patton (WR ): 4 Receptions 58 rec. yds, 0TD.
Beniquez Brown (Defense): 10 tackles (8 Solo), 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF.
Atlanta Legends
Matt Simms (QB): 28/48 Att, 328 Passing yds, 58.3YPA, 0 Pass TD, 3 INT, 2 Rush att, 27 rush yds.
Lawrence Pittman (RB): 5 rush, 6yds, 1.2 YPC, TD, 2 rec. 10 yds.
Seantavius Jones (WR ): 4 Receptions on 8 Targets, 72 rec. yds.
Tyson Graham (Defense): 10 tackles (9 Solo).
Written by: Andrae’ Perry
San Antonio Commanders (1-2) at San Diego Fleet (2-1)
Final Score: Fleet 31, Commanders 11
Recap: San Diego was a far different team from the one that faced San Antonio in Week 1. The home crowd and quarterback change are what flipped the script for the Fleet; Philip Nelson was poised and commanded the San Diego office successfully after opening the game with an interception. He managed the integrity of the passing game with an effective running game; flanked by either Ja’Quan Gardner or Terrell Watson, he managed the offense professionally and led the Fleet to victory. However, we cannot discredit the defense - they racked up seven QB hits as they stifled the Commanders’ offense. It speaks much to the growth of this team that they kept composure and won handily after an early mistake; they were almost recognizable from opening night.
It seemed at first that the Commanders’ might run away with it. Woodside looked poised and capitalized on Nelson’s turnover with a pretty 47-yard TD completion, and the Commanders defense followed up with a quick 3 and out. However, penalties and a tightened-up Fleet defense stalled a drive that had initially looked promising, and Woodside ended up throwing an interception. The momentum shifted and never turned back. We saw a bit of Marquise Williams, but it appears it was a planned 2-QB offensive attack rather than a punishment because Woodside was back under center before long. Woodside was under pressure all night and did not handle it well; his offensive line certainly has tape to watch this week as they hope to bounce back next week.
Notable Performances:
San Diego Fleet
Philip Nelson (QB): 17/25, 193 yds, 7.7 YPC, 2 Pass TD, 1 INT, 0 2-Pt, 3 Rush att, 7 rush yds, 0 Rush TD, 0 Rush 2-PT.
Ja’Quan Gardner (RB): 12 rush, 122 yds, 10.2 YPC, 1 TD, 0 rush 2-PT, 2 rec. on 2 target, 21 yds, 0 TD, 0 rec. 2-PT.
Nelson Spruce (WR): 4 Receptions on 7 targets, 50 rec. yds, 2 TD, 0 2PT
Alex Barrett (Defense): 4 tackles (4 Solo), 1 TFL, 1 sacks, 1 QB Hits, 0 PD, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 TD
San Antonio Commanders
Logan Woodside (QB): 12/23, 151 yds, 6.6 YPA, 1 Pass TD, 2 INT, 1 Pass 2-Pt, 1 Rush att, 4 rush yds, 0 TD, 0 Rush 2-PT.
Trey Williams (RB): 7 rush, 75 yds, 10.7 YPC, 0 TD, 0 Rush 2-PT, 2 rec. on 2 target, 13 yds, 0 TD, 0 rec. 2-PT.
Mekale McKay (WR): 4 Receptions on 6 targets, 91 rec. yds, 1 TD, 0 2PT
Joel Lanning (Defense): 6 tackles (6 Solo), 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 QB Hits, 0 PD, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 TD
Written by: Kristen Mori