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.
