Week 9: Stars Surprise SaberCats

Players of the Week

American Conference

Offense: Jason Brooks, RB, Oakland Invaders. Brooks rushed 23 times for 246yds and three TDs and caught two passes for 49 yards and another score as the Invaders picked up their second win by overwhelming the Arizona Wranglers, 55-23.

Honorable Mention: Henry Prieto, QB, Detroit Wheels; Robert Ross, WR, Chicago Blitz; Brian Wesley, WR, San Jose Sabercats; Tony Smith, QB, San Antonio Gunslingers.

Defense: David Burt, WLB, Houston Gamblers. Burt had five tackles, a sack and an interception as the Gamblers fended off the Tampa Bay Bandits, 18-11.

David Burt, Houston Gamblers (lower left)

Honorable Mention: Marvin Cash, WLB, Honolulu Hawaiians; Walter Silva, FS, Los Angeles Express; Allen Herrera, SS, Oklahoma Outlaws; Scott StJohn, FS, Michigan Panthers.

National Conference

Offense: John Murray, RB, Pittsburgh Maulers. Murray rushed 25 times for 147 yards and four TDs as the Maulers blanked the Charlotte Hornets, 41-0, to maintain a three-game lead over the Baltimore Stars in the Atlantic Division

Honorable Mention: Matthew Brinkley, RB, Boston Breakers; Cliff Thomas, RB, Pittsburgh Maulers; Robert Zapata, WR, Orlando Renegades.

Defense: Nathaniel Miles, LDE, Pittsburgh Maulers. Miles had 9 tackles and 5 sacks in a 41-0 shutout of the Charlotte Hornets.

Honorable Mention: Ambrose Oneil, RDE, Baltimore Stars; Fredie Gilbert, LDE, New Jersey Generals; Juan Bellino, SS, Charlotte Hornets.

Notes

• The San Jose SaberCats are unbeaten no more. The Baltimore Stars led, 26-0, in the second quarter on the way to a stunning 36-21 victory as San Jose took its first loss. The SaberCats tried to use injured RB Christopher Gray, but he managed just 30 yards on eight carries. With Gray hobbled, San Jose took to the air, throwing 59 times, but QB Antonio Wilson was sacked 10 times and intercepted twice. Baltimore TE Scott Ayotte and WR Dustin Taylor combined for 290 receiving yards and three TDs.
• There was another big upset in Anaheim, where the Southern California Sun (2-7) surprised the San Antonio Gunslingers (7-2), 27-24. SoCal QB Adam Schroeter hit WR John Burgos with a 52-yard game-winning TD pass with 1:28 to play.
•  In a Monday Night Football battle of division leaders, Boston RB Marco Preston scored a 4-yard TD with 1:42 to play, giving the Breakers a wild 44-37 victory over the Portland Storm. Preston's game-winner was set up by QB Jonathan Keefe's 65-yard pass to Angel Howell.
• The Oakland Invaders finally flexed their muscles in a 55-23 win over the Arizona Wranglers. The Invaders picked up their second win of the season, while the Wranglers took their third consecutive loss.
• All of the game's points were scored in the first quarter during the Honolulu Hawaiians' 7-7 tie with the Los Angeles Express. Both teams missed what would have been game-ending field goals in overtime. Los Angeles QB Gene Nowlin threw his first interception(s) of the season and the teams combined to punt 24 times.
• Rookie MLB Travis Pino made his first career start for the Florida Blazers and had nine tackles and a sack in a 24-3 win over the Jacksonville Bulls.
• When Week 8 began, Orlando led the National Conference wild-card race, but seven teams were either 3-4-1 or 3-5. The postseason hotseat now belongs to the New Jersey Generals (4-5), who trounced the Georgia Force, 30-7. The Baltimore Stars are also 4-5.
• This week's Monday Night Football game sees the Atlantic Division leader Pittsburgh Maulers (7-2) hosting the Honolulu Hawaiians (5-3-1). On Sunday Night Football, the San Antonio Gunslingers will try to bounce back at home against the Oklahoma Outlaws.