Duke City(2-1) 56 Tulsa Oilers(0-2) 37
This was one of those games where you got exactly what you expected. Duke City went into the game 14-point favorites and took care of business. Tulsa was able to close the gap to 12 points going into the fourth before Duke City finished on a 17-8 run. Nate Davis threw for 146 yards and 6 touchdowns with only one interception. Dalton James would be the leading rusher with 7 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Amey and Gary Brown would dominate the Tulsa secondary. Amey with 4 for 63 and 2 touchdowns, Brown with 6 for 55 and 2 touchdowns as well. Jayson Serda led the defense with 6 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack.
For Tulsa, quarterback Bobby Froelich wasn’t quite as effective. He would throw for 161 and three touchdowns, but also three interceptions. Froelich was also the leading rusher for Tulsa going for 23 yards on 8 carries. Tre King was the lone bright spot for the Oilers with 4 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. On Defense, Jordan Jones led all defenders with 8 tackles, but Eric Sadler had the play of the day. His fumble recovery for safety was one of the few bright spots for a defense that got torched.
Duke City looks to ride this momentum as they go to Arizona to take on the Rattlers Saturday, and Tulsa hopes to gain their first win of the season as they host the Quad City Steamwheelers.
Tuscon Sugar Skulls(2-0) 54 Arizona Rattlers(1-2) 48
Tuscon improves to 2-0 In an absolute shootout. Up 34-21, Tuscon is able to weather Arizona’s 27-point 4th quarter with a 20-point of their own. Quarterback Ramone Atkins looked dominant today, throwing for 124 and 5 touchdowns. Atkins was also the leading rusher, going for 48 yards on 5 carries. Wide receivers Carrington Thomas and MJ Harris had all the receiving yards in this game. Carrington Thomas had a monster game with 7 for 91 and three touchdowns. Carrington also had an onside kick return for a touchdown that helped seal the game late. Harris had 4 for 33 and 2 touchdowns. Traivon Bryant was the best defender of the day with 6 tackles and an interception.
Arizona quarterback Jorge Reyna was also throwing the ball all over the field. He would end up with 242 yards and 6 touchdowns with only one interception. Jager Gardner led a struggling rushing attack with only 17 yards on carries and a touchdown. He would also catch 5 passes for 30 yards. Isiah Scott may have earned player of the week in a losing effort with 11 catches for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns. Simeon Gatling led the defense with 6.5 tackles,1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups.
Tuscon Travels to California this weekend to take on the Bay Area Panthers on Sunday, and the Arizona Rattlers host the 2-1 Duke City Gladiators Saturday.
San Diego Strike Force (1-2) 37, Vegas Knight Hawks (1-2) 36
Another close game that came down to the last second, San Diego won this one on a missed extra point with 6 seconds left. San Diego quarterback Aaron Aiken would go 7 of 13 passing for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns in relief of listed starter Demry Croft. Travon Van would have a solid outing on the ground going for 50 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. Carlos Thompson would make the most of two receptions going for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense, Micheal Badejo had 3 tackles for loss, and Terin Adams came up with 2 interceptions.
For Vegas, starting quarterback Joe Mancuso struggled only going 11 of 25 for 127, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He would add another 26 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Davonte Sapp-Lynch would be the leading rusher with 5 carries for 28 and a touchdown. Caleb Holly led all receivers with 4 receptions for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Jaquez Jackson was the standout with 5.5 tackles, half a sack, and half a tackle for loss. San Diego goes to Northern Arizona next week to take on the wranglers, and Vegas Knight Hawks have a bye next week as they prepare to host the Duke City Gladiators.
Iowa Barnstormers (0-3) 24, Sioux Falls Storm (1-1) 54
The Iowa Barnstormers made far too many mistakes to win this football game, turning the ball over 3 times, and committing 13 penalties for 90 yards. Sioux Falls took full advantage of this taking a 40 to 11 lead into the 4th quarter. Sioux Falls quarterback Lorenzo Brown Jr was the leading passer and rusher with 9 of 12 for 83 yards and a touchdown through the air, 11 for 45, and two touchdowns on the ground. Running back Bryson Denley would add 31 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dwight Blakely was the leading pass catcher with 4 for 38 yards and a touchdown. James Brown leads the defense with 3 tackles and a 25-yard pick-six.
For Iowa, quarterback Zach Reeder struggled mightily, going 20 of 35 for 141 with no touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Ra’von Boner and Caleb Smith combined for 37 yards on 10 carries and 2 touchdowns. LaQuvionte Gonzalez would add 8 catches for 56 yards, leading all Iowa receivers. Christopher Robinson was the best defender on the day, with 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Next week, the Sioux Falls Storm host Ja’rome Johnson and the Green Bay Blizzard (Sunday 5:05 CT). The Iowa Barnstormers have a bye as they prepare for the Tulsa Oilers, in a battle of teams looking for their first win.