Last night the Washington Federals and Memphis Showboats played World Bowl XVII in front of a near capacity crowd (couldn't sell out a World Bowl???) in our nation's capital, which is also the Federals home field. This is a rematch of World Bowl XIV, won by Memphis, and the Showboats were vying for their 5th Championship under their 3rd different owner/GM. Washington was trying for their first trophy in their second chance.
Showboats 28 Federals 10
Memphis got the ball first and drove down into the Federals red zone before David Allen was intercepted by Kenneth Williams to stop the scoring threat. The Showboat's second drive would result in a David Allen 19 yard TD pass to Arthur Devore, giving Memphis an early 7-0 lead. A James Ewing FG would extend the Memphis lead and the score was 10-0 after the 1st quarter of action.
The 2nd quarter saw just a FG for each team and our halftime score was 13-3 Showboats. Memphis out gained Washington 252-70 in the half and the Federals were fortunate to only be down 10.
Washington would get the ball to start the second half and the teams exchanged 2 punts each before the Federals would cut the lead to 3 points. Washington traveled 76 yards in just 3 plays, scoring on a Scott Bieber 28 yard pass to Ronald Matthews. Memphis would respond with a 9 play, 75 yard drive of their own, but a goal line stand by Washington forced a FG attempt. The Showboats had a 1st and goal at the 4 yard line before Allen was sacked by Washington's John Broussard. Memphis would advance the ball to the 1 on second down, but on 3rd and goal, Mark Lambert was tackled just short of the goal line. That play ended the 3rd quarter, and with time to think about it, Memphis HC John Vang opted to kick a FG rather than go for the TD.
That FG gave Memphis a 16-10 lead and a short time later, it was 22-10 as David Allen hit Mark Glenn with a 72 yard TD pass. The Showboats tried for 2 points but failed. Washington then drove close to midfield but had to punt, and Memphis would add 3 points, for a 25-10 lead with just over 4 minutes to play. Washington would again drive to midfield, and this time the Federals turned it over on downs. Memphis would milk the clock and add a FG for a 28-10 lead with just over a minute to play, and the game was sealed.
Memphis QB David Allen was named World Bowl XVII MVP, and as a reward, he gets this brand new 1991 Chevrolet Corvette. Allen threw for 382 yards on 29/41 passing with 2 TDs and the early INT. Washington did a great job limiting the production of the Showboats WR group, but they were gashed by the RBs. Mark Lambert ran for 87 yards, adding 80 more on 5 receptions. Mark Glenn may technically be a WR, but he ran 10 times for 42 yards, while catching 5 for 118 and that long TD. Even Numbers Zielinski contributed 76 combined yards. Washington only had the ball 23 minutes and change, so their offensive numbers were down. Scott Bieber threw for 224 yards with a TD and no INTs, and no Federals skill player had more than 73 yards.
