World Bowl XXVI: Eight Is Great For Houston

 World Bowl XXVI was played in New Orleans as the Orlando Renegades played their first World Bowl against 7 time champion Houston. For 3 quarters the teams were locked in a defensive struggle as Orlando took a 6-3 lead into the 4th quarter. That lead would eventually be 12-3 before Houston outscored Orlando 13-3 in the final 3:08 to break the Renegade's hearts and hoist the trophy for the 8th time in franchise history. 

Houston Gamblers 16 Orlando Renegades 15

The teams were feeling each other out the first few drives with neither team gaining many yards until Houston entered the red zone late in the 1st. Gus "Hightest" Gas lost a fumble at the Orlando 11, costing the Gamblers at least 3 points. Fifteen game minutes went by before our next scoring chance. Houston thought they had a 1st down on 3rd and 10 but the measurement came up just short, so they sent Earl Castro out for a 27 yard FG and a 3-0 lead. Trey Lyons led Orlando on a FG drive inside the 2 minute warning to tie the game and had a golden opportunity arise on the kickoff. Gary Sappington fumbled the ball on the return, and while they didn't get a TD, they did add a Scott Mueller FG for a 6-3 halftime lead. 

Midway through the 3rd, Houston faced a 4th and 1 from the Orlando 15 and they opted to go for it rather than tie the game with a FG. The pass was complete to Sappington but again the measurement came up short, giving the ball to Orlando on downs. More punts followed and our score was still 6-3 as we entered the 4th quarter.

Scott Mueller booted his 3rd FG for a 9-3 Orlando lead, then Bryan Franklin threw an interception on the next offensive snap. The Renegades drove all the way down to the Houston 2, where on 4th and goal, they opted for another Mueller FG and a 12-3 lead with just over 5 minutes to play. Franklin drove the Gamblers into Orlando territory where they faced a 4th and 7 from the 39. Houston went for it and not only did they get the first down, Jim Dallas didn't stop until he hit the end zone. That Bryan Franklin TD pass got the Gamblers within 12-10 but the onside kick failed. Orlando didn't move the ball much but they did get a 5th Scott Mueller FG to take a 15-10 lead just inside the 2 minute warning. 

Franklin only needed 5 plays to drive the Gamblers to the game winning touchdown. He completed 3 of 4 to cross midfield, and on the 5th play he found Gus "Hightest" Gas along the sideline and Gas floored it to the end zone. The 2 point try was no good but Houston now led 16-15, although some might say they scored too quick. They left just over a minute on the clock for Lyons and the Renegades but the drive stalled at midfield. Houston took over on downs and their 8th World Bowl victory was secured.

Bryan Franklin was named MVP, and his 32/48, 331 yard, 2 TD, 1 INT performance earned him a brand new 2000 Chevrolet Corvette.

 Steve Austin (9-111) and Gus Gas (6-100-1) had 100 yard games receiving for the Gamblers, and they might request to borrow that Corvette from time to time, especially Gas as they were strongly considered for MVP honors. 

 

1999 Conference Championships: Houston Seeks 8th Title, Orlando Their First

 It's World Bowl time again, and the 26th title game in league history features the Houston Gamblers, seeking their 8th World Bowl against the Orlando Renegades. Orlando will be playing in their first World Bowl and are hoping to continue the National Conference's winning streak. The American Conference is 20-5 overall in World Bowl history but it was worse for the National Conference a couple years ago as the New Jersey Generals reversed the trend and won the last 2. 

Houston's road to the World Bowl began with a Wildcard win over Honolulu, then a Division Round win over Portland before they beat Oklahoma to get here. Orlando started their journey with a Wildcard win over Georgia, then a Divisional Round win against Shreveport put them in the Conference Championship where they sent Washington home. 

As I type this, both teams are being whisked away to an as yet undisclosed location to play the World Bowl. How do the fans buy tickets to a game they don't know where it's at until it's over? That's a question for another day, so let's now answer the question of how Houston and Orlando won their games.

Houston Gamblers 16 Oklahoma Outlaws 10

Oklahoma got the ball first and drove 10 plays for a FG and an early 3-0 lead. Houston's first drive ended on downs after a 4th and 1 at the edge of FG range failed, keeping the score 3-0. From there we had a three and out for Oklahoma, an exchange of interceptions and a three and out for Houston. This took us into the 2nd quarter and Oklahoma faced a 4th and 1 from the Houston 19. The Outlaws opted for the FG but Gerald Harmon was wide right, keeping the score 3-0. The rest of the half was uneventful and Oklahoma took that 3-0 lead into the locker room. 

Houston got the ball to start the second half and had an 11 play FG drive to tie the game at 3. That drive took half of the 3rd quarter and Oklahoma's Raymond Settles threw his second INT on the Outlaws first drive of the second half. That one didn't hurt either, but after a three and out, Settles threw INT #3. This one hurt as Houston took over at the Outlaws 25 and Steve Austin ran in a 9 yard TD to give Houston their first lead of the game. 

The 4th quarter began with Houston leading 10-3 and Raymond Settle's 4th interception led to another Gamblers FG and a 13-3 lead. On the Outlaws next offensive play, Settles found Glenn Sprinkle for a 75 yard catch and run TD to bring Oklahoma closer, trailing 13-10. The next 3 drives were all punts and Oklahoma had less than 2 minutes to get the tying FG or go ahead TD. It took all of 1 play for that to come crashing down as Settles threw his 5th INT of the game. Houston would add an Earl Castro FG, leaving just 13 seconds for the Outlaws to attempt to pull out a miracle win. It didn't happen and the Houston Gamblers advance to the franchise's 8th World Bowl.

Orlando Renegades 24 Washington Federals 10

Orlando took an early 3-0 lead on their second drive of the game and most of the first half was a defensive struggle. Toward the end of the 2nd quarter, Marcus Ricketts lost a fumble, giving Orlando the ball in Federals territory. A few plays later Trey Lyons fired a 25 yard TD pass to Rufus Williams, giving the Renegades a 10-0 lead they would take into halftime.

Washington came out of halftime determined to get back in the game and they went on a 12 play drive that ended with Jeff Rosado's 1 yard TD run, cutting the lead to 10-7. Orlando answered with a 9 play TD drive of their own. Trey Lyons threw his 2nd TD pass, this one 23 yards to David Beegle and a 17-7 lead. The Renegades defense forced a three and out before Lyons led a 10 play TD drive. Anthony Milan's 6 yard TD run gave Orlando a commanding 24-7 lead early in the 4th. Washington couldn't get anything going until they got a FG at the 2 minute warning to get within 14 points and they recovered the onside kick. The Federals turned it over on downs and the Renegades killed the clock to advance to the franchise's first ever World Bowl.

1999 Divisional Round

 We are down to our final four teams and we'll have a new champion this season as the two time defending champs New Jersey Generals were eliminated by the Washington Federals. Three of the remaining four teams have never won a championship while the Houston Gamblers are seeking World Bowl victory #8. 

Oklahoma Outlaws 12 San Jose SaberCats 0

Football is a strange game sometimes. San Jose has been one of the best teams in the league the last 2 seasons, yet they've been bounced from the playoffs in shutout fashion two years in a row by the Oklahoma Outlaws. Do the Outlaws have San Jose's playbook? Whatever the reason, Oklahoma's defense has found a way to neutralize the SaberCats offense.

Jake Plummer was intercepted on San Jose's first drive, which led to the first of four Gerald Harmon FGs as Oklahoma took an early 3-0 lead. The Outlaws would add 2 more FGs in the first half for a 9-0 lead at the break. The Outlaws defense didn't allow a play longer than 21 yards and they kept San Jose out of the red zone. 

There are no highlights from this game as Oklahoma had no big offensive plays either. They just methodically moved the ball, kicked a few FGs and played lockdown defense. The Outlaws got their last FG after San Jose turned the ball over on downs late in the game. Oklahoma now advances to the Conference Championship Game against the winner of our next game.

Houston Gamblers 34 Portland Storm 20

These teams have won the last 6 Conference Championship games but one was going to get knocked out today. Houston got the ball first and drove for a FG, but a holding penalty took it off the board and the Gamblers had to punt. Robert Davis then intercepted a Raymond Oswalt pass and took it 42 yards for a TD and a 7-0 Houston lead. Oswalt was intercepted again on the next drive, allowing Houston to extend their lead to 14-0 when Bryan Franklin found Alejandro Campbell for a 5 yard TD pass. 

Oswalt would bounce back with a 13 yard TD to Perry Salgado, cutting the deficit in half 14-7. Following some back and forth, Oswalt tied the game just before the 2 minute warning with a 52 yard TD pass to Richard Robinson. Houston had time to score but couldn't get close enough, so the half ended 14-14.

Portland got the ball to start the 3rd and Oswalt promptly threw away all the momentum the Storm had gained with his 3rd interception of the game. This led to a tiebreaking FG, and the Houston defense struck again later in the quarter. Oswalt threw his 4th INT, leading to a 2 yard Bryan Franklin TD pass to Jim Dallas, giving Houston a 24-14 lead. 

The Houston defense followed that up with a three and out while the offense went on a 13 play, 73 yard TD drive to put the game away. Stone Cold Steve Austin ran it in from 5 yards out, making the score 31-14 early in the 4th. Portland wouldn't go down without a fight as Oswalt found Robinson again for a long TD, this one covering 66 yards. The 2 point try failed and Houston had a time consuming drive end in a punt. Portland turned it over on downs, allowing Houston to tack on 3 for a 34-20 final score. The Gamblers now face division rival Oklahoma for the right to go to World Bowl XXVI. 

Washington Federals 31 New Jersey Generals 24

New Jersey began the season with a 37-17 loss to the Washington Federals, and it ended today against Washington as the Federals bounce the 2 time defending champs out of the playoffs. New Jersey got the ball first and had to punt, pinning Washington at their own 2. Washington wasted little time getting out of the hole as Tristan Arnold found Oliver Jeter for a 98 yard catch and run TD to give the Federals a quick 7-0 lead. New Jersey went three and out before Arnold fired a 47 yard TD pass to William Sheppard for a 14-0 lead after 1 quarter of action.

Washington added a FG early in the 2nd to extend their lead before both defenses took over for a bit. Don Ferguson would throw not one, but two interceptions in the quarter, resulting in 7 more points for the Federals. Washington missed a FG following the first INT but cashed in with a 3 yard TD pass from Arnold to Jeter and the Federals led 24-0. Don Ferguson then found Paul Cox for a 75 yard TD in the final minute of the half to pull within 24-7. 

Not much happened in the 3rd quarter or the first half of the 4th, but New Jersey got within 24-10 thanks to an Al Borland FG with 6 minutes to play. New Jersey would recover the onside kick and turned that into a 13 yard TD pass from Ferguson to Jeff Lebowski, making the score 24-17. This time the onside kick failed but the Generals defense forced a three and out. David Koresh would tie the game at 24 with an 11 yard TD run inside the 2 minute warning. Washington's offense woke up just in time as Tristan Arnold found William Sheppard for a 75 yard TD that gave the Federals a 31-24 lead 1 play after the Generals tied it. New Jersey would drive into FG range as time was running out, but they needed a TD and ended up turning it over on downs. The three-peat dream is over and the Washington Federals advance to the Conference Championship against the winner of our next game.

Orlando Renegades 16 Shreveport Steamer 9

Neither team has ever played in a World Bowl but the winner of today's game will be one step closer to changing that narrative. Shreveport got the ball first but Tony Romo threw an interception, leading to a Scott Mueller FG and a 3-0 Orlando lead. Romo then led Shreveport on a 12 play FG drive to tie it and Trey Lyons led an 11 play FG drive to retake the lead 6-3 early in the 2nd. In the middle of the 2nd, last week's hero Scott Randall lost a fumble, giving Orlando the ball in great field position. Trey Lyons threw a 6 yard TD pass to Jason Amen, and praise the Lord, Orlando now led 13-3. 

13-3 was the halftime score and Orlando got the ball to start the second half, going three and out. Shreveport then went on a 16 play, 77 yard drive and they had a 1st and goal at the 3. Three straight runs netted no yards and they had to settle for a FG, cutting the lead to 13-6. Orlando then went on a 10 play drive and extending their lead early in the 4th with a FG, making the score 16-6. Shreveport answered with a 9 play FG drive to get within 7 and they got the ball back with 3:07 to play. 

Shreveport moved down the field methodically, eating clock as they attempted to tie the game. They had a 1st and 10 at the Orlando 21, but Tony Romo was sacked, leading to a turnover on downs. One kneeldown by Trey Lyons and the Renegades stay at home to play Washington for the right to play in World Bowl XXVI.

1999 Wildcard Weekend

 Wildcard weekend began last night with 6 games, of which just one was within 10 points. The home team won 5 of the 6 games, with Oklahoma the lone road winner. Let's check the action.

Oklahoma Outlaws 34 Michigan Panthers 12

Michigan took an early 3-0 lead and the Panthers defense did a good job early of keeping the Oklahoma offense in check. The first quarter ended 3-0 Michigan, although the tide started to turn the other way. On the first play of the 2nd quarter, Will Allison was intercepted by Jason Chacko, giving the Outlaws the ball in Panthers territory. Six plays later, Clarence Murphy ran in a 2 yard TD to put Oklahoma in the lead for good 7-3. Each team would add a FG in the 2nd quarter for a 10-6 halftime score.

Oklahoma got the ball to start the 3rd quarter and wasted little time moving down the field. Raymond Settles found Ricardo Horton for a 65 yard gain to set up first and goal, while Johnny Crank finished the drive with a 2 yard TD run. Michigan answered with a FG, cutting the lead to 17-9 but Settles quickly found Horton for a 60 yard TD pass, increasing the lead to 24-9. Michigan would have to settle for yet another FG to get within 24-12 after 3. 

Early in the 4th, Settles found Glenn Sprinkle for a 72 yard TD to essentially put the game away. Raymond Settles completed 26/41, 358 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Ricardo Horton had those 2 catches for 125 yards and a TD as the Outlaws gained 513 for the game. The Oklahoma defense allowed just 210 yards, intercepted 2 passes and had a sack as they advance to take on the #1 seed San Jose SaberCats.

Portland Storm 27 Denver Gold 3

Portland scored the first 5 times they had the ball then shut it down, much like they shut down the Denver offense all game long. Denver fumbled 3 times, losing 1 and they allowed 1 sack as most passes fell incomplete (7/23, 25 yards) and they ran the ball for less than 2 yards per carry. 58 total yards won't be good enough most games and it wasn't today. Portland QB Raymond Oswalt threw 3 TD passes, 2 to Guadalupe Navarrette, who caught 5 for 129 yards total. 

Game highlights: Oswalt 11 yard TD pass to Richard Robinson; Oswalt to Navarrette for 20 yards; Oswalt to Navarrette for 60 yards.

Houston Gamblers 42 Honolulu Hawaiians 20

It's been 2 seasons since Houston has won a championship and today they looked like a team on a mission to change that. Bryan Franklin was making his first ever post season start and the spotlight was not too much for him. Franklin led 3 long TD drives in the first half and he ended the day 20/28, 432 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT. Francisco Snow caught 3 for 147 yards and a TD while Jim Dallas caught 3 for 101 and a score. The Gamblers added 166 rushing yards as they built leads of 21-0, 28-7, and 35-10 en route to a comfortable win and a date with Portland next week.

Game highlights: Bryan Franklin TD pass #1, TD pass #2, TD pass #3, Derek Henry TD pass, Bryan Franklin TD pass #4, Franklin TD pass #5, 109 yard kickoff return TD, Gus "Hightest" Gas TD run.

Washington Federals 19 Jacksonville Bulls 10

Jacksonville got the ball first but Matthew Royster fumbled the ball away on the 2nd play from scrimmage, allowing Washington great field position. The Federals offense went nowhere but Steve Jones gave the Federals the 3-0 lead on a 53 yard FG. The score remained 3-0 until just before the 2 minute warning when Jacksonville's Jimmy Wagner ran in a TD from 18 yards out to give the Bulls a 7-3 lead. Washington would add a FG near the end of the half to make the score 7-6 at the break.

The 3rd quarter started out defensively with some punts before Washington finally cracked the end zone with 4:44 left in the quarter. Marcus Ricketts did the honors with a 3 yard TD run to give the lead back to Washington, 13-7. The Federals would add a FG in the middle of the 4th for a 16-7 lead but Jacksonville answered with a FG of their own to pull back within 6 points. The Bulls defense held and got the ball back but the offense couldn't get a 1st down and turned the ball over to Washington after a failed 4th down conversion. The Federals turned that into 3 points and an insurmountable 19-10 lead. Jacksonville turned it over on downs again in the red zone, but they were running out of time anyhow. The only good statistical performance was Jacksonville RB Jimmy Wagner rushing for 130 yards and a TD. 

Shreveport Steamer 38 (NY) Stars 10

The regular season stats showed New York had the better offense, but that wasn't the case today. Shreveport scored TDs on 4 of their 5 first half drives to take a 28-7 halftime lead before cruising to victory in the 2nd half. QB Tony Romo got the scoring started with a 12 yard TD pass to Eric Bryant, then it was Married With Children time as Al Bundy, I mean Scott Randall scored 4 TDs. Randall finished the day with 216 yards on 28 carries, adding 44 yards on 4 receptions. Randall's TDs covered 23 yards, 22 yards, 0 yards, and 4 yards. New York got their TD trailing 21-0 and it came on a 16 yard pass from Damian Oleary to William Hall.

Orlando Renegades 19 Georgia Force 0

Orlando used their defense and running game to advance to the divisional round against Shreveport. The first quarter was scoreless and the Renegades defense got the scoring underway with a safety early in the 2nd quarter. Zachary Harvey sacked Larry Henderson in the end zone for the 2-0 lead. Anthony Milan ripped a 54 yard TD run a few minutes later to extend the lead to 9-0. Georgia had a chance to cut the lead at the end of the half but a missed FG kept the halftime score 9-0 Orlando. 

The Renegades had 318 total yards, 217 on the ground. Orlando used a RBBC led by Milan, who finished with 97 yards and a TD. Orlando would add a FG in the 3rd for a 12-0 lead then Roger Radke finished the scoring with a 1 yard plunge in the 4th.