Iron’s winning streak ends. Orlando keeps winning. Memphis got its O going….finally.
San Diego Fleet vs. Memphis Express
The Fleet came to Memphis sitting at 2-2, while the Express were still looking for win #1.
The Express decided to go with QB Zach Mettenberger, but the switch didn’t go well at the start. The Fleet got a blocked punt and score, and Phillip Nelson threw a TD pass to Dontrez Ford, to take an early 14-3 lead.
The Express continued to stumble as the Fleet put up another TD to go up 20-3. Memphis responded with field goals to cut the lead to 20-9 in the 2nd quarter. And the Express wasn’t finished, either. A turnover and late TD cut the halftime lead to five, 20-15.
In the second half, the Fleet kicked an early field goal to take a 23-15. Those were the only points they would score the rest of the way. The Express defense showed up, and the offense kicked into gear–scoring a TD, a two-point conversion, and a field goal, to get the win, 26-23. Zach Mettenberger was named Player of the Game for his 18/25, 174 yards, and one TD performance.
The take away from was this game is that Express can win IF the offense continues to develop.
Orlando Apollos vs. Salt Lake Stallions
The high-flying Apollos came into Salt Lake at 4-0, while the Stallions sat at 1-2, in a game that was played in the snow and wintery conditions. The weather hampered both teams, especially the offenses. Orlando’s 6-3 halftime lead expanded in the third when the Apollos scored the first touchdown of the game to go up, 14-3.
The Stallions closed the game late in the 3rd to make it, 14-11. But the Apollos put the game out of reach, 20-11, to stay undefeated. Garrett Gilbert was sharp once again, going 22/32 for 244 yards and a TD. His favorite target, Charles Johnson, hauled in 9 catches for 112 yards. That QB-WR combo is the cream rising to the top of the AAF.
San Antonio Commanders vs. Birmingham Iron
Would this be a mismatch? Birmingham came into the game undefeated, while the Commanders were 1-2. Well, it didn’t turn out that way.
In a defensive, this game was all about defense, knotted up 3-3 at the half, before San Antonio took the lead, 9-3, in the 3rd. That lead held as the defense turned over the ball to the Commanders via an interception. San Antonio’s offense took advantage, driving for another score (field goal) to go up 12-3 in the 4th.
But the Iron wasn’t finished. Birmingham marched down the field and scored on Trent Richardson’s 7th TD of the year. With a two-point conversion, the Iron narrowed the gap to one point, 12-11.
The game down to the last minute, but Iron QB Luis Perez threw an interception on 4th-and-12 with 24 ticks left on the clock.
Kenneth Farrow was a difference-maker for San Antonio, rushing times for 142 yards.
Atlanta Legends vs. Arizona Hotshots
The Legends came into Arizona winless, while the Hotshots sat at 2-1, in a game that was s-l-o-w. How slow? How about 2-0 Legends at the end of the 1st?
The Legends kept moving the ball up-and-down the field before stalling out, until Denard Robinson scored to put the team up, 8-0. Arizona could only get a field goal in response. It was Atlanta 8-3 at halftime.
Atlanta’s Aaron Murray (photo, Heavy.com)
Early in the 4th, Atlanta expanded the lead to 11-3 before the Hotshots tied the game 11-11 late in the 4th. But Atlanta would take back the lead, 14-11 on a field goal, and the Shots had one last chance.
It was not to be. Arizona’s John Wolford threw an interception on 4th-and-7 with 24 seconds left.
For Atlanta, Aaron Murray led the way going 20/33 for 254 yards. He also rushed 7 times for 54 yards.
