The New Orleans Breakers improve to 2-0 after a hard-fought victory,38-31, against the Houston Gamblers. Leading the charge for the breakers was running back Wes Hills with 110 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. McLeod Bethel Thompson proved yet again to be a solid option at quarterback. He threw for 251 yards on 67 percent completion with 2 touchdowns. Tight End Sage Surratt proved impossible to cover with 11 receptions for 121 and a touchdown.

For the Gamblers, Kenji Behar was the definition of inconsistent. He threw for 260 yards on nearly 60 percent completion but had 3 interceptions to match his three touchdowns. Despite the loss, Justin Hall emerged as a real threat in the passing game, notching 8 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

First Half

This game took quite a little while to get going. New Orleans would start the game going three and out. Getting excellent field position on the punt ( New Orleans downed the opening kickoff on their own 2), Houston would get the ball in field goal range, resulting in Nick Vogel would miss a 38-yard attempt. Two fruitless drives later, New Orleans would draw first blood. Sparked by a 19-yard reception by Sage Surratt, Wes Hill would end an 85-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. A made extra point gives a 7-0 lead.

Anthony Ratliff- Williams helps Houston answer back, taking a kickoff return to midfield. Houston would make the New Orleans 26 before an incomplete pass forced a 4th down. This time, Nick Vogel would be good from 44 yards out, making it 7-3. Starting at their own 33, New Orleans goes on 14 play 58-yard drive that stalls on a 3rd and goal at the Houston 9. Matt Coghin was good from 27 yards out. Houston would tie the game up on the last drive of the half. Kenji Behar would complete 3 straight passes, covering 59 yards, ending with a 25-yard touchdown to Justin Hall would tie up the game at 10, and take it to the half tied.

Second Half

Behar would start the 2nd half just as he finished the first. Sparked by a big return(this time to the 46). A few plays later, Behar would find Anthony Ratliff Williams for a 38-yard touchdown. A Nick Vogel extra point gives Houston their first lead, 17-10. New Orleans wasted no time waiting to respond. Getting the ball at their own 31, Bethel Thompson finishes a 69-yard drive with his first touchdown pass, a 5-yarder to Sage Surratt.

On the ensuing drive, in a tie ball game Behar would throw his first of 3 Interceptions. Alex Thomas Intercepts a pass near midfield returned to the Houston 42. An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Gamblers gives the Breakers a first down with a short field. Bethel Thompson takes advantage of the short field, taking the lead on a 4 yard pass to Johnnie Dixon. After 2 punts, Houston would tie the ball game up.

Houston running back T.J Pledger caps off a 68 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown( given the touchdown on review). On the following Kick off Johnny Dixon gives New Orleans great field position at the 43, that they make the most of.

Wes Hills finishes the 57 yard drive by taking back the lead on a 3 yard touchdown. Houston would respond almost immediately, going 50 yards in just over a minute, ending with Behar finding Justin Hall for his 2nd Touchdown, this time from 18 yards out.

1:14 left in a tie game

After a 3 and out and a New Orleans punt, Houston looked poise to win the ball game. However, New Orleans defense had other plans. Behar is intercepted again, the time by safety Jarey Elder. New Orleans needed only 2 plays to take the lead for good, Wes Hills getting his 3rd rushing TD from 14 yards out. On the ensuing drive, LB Vontae Diggs would seal the game, Intercepting Behar and allowing New Orleans to run out the clock.

Post-Game Reactions

Breakers on the win

Houston Gamblers on the Loss

What’s Next

New Orleans is gonna take a little time to celebrate the win, before turning their focus to the also undefeated Birmingham Stallions (Saturday 12:30, USA Network). Houston still looking for their first win, will have a shot at the also winless Memphis Showboats.