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| Bradley Davis, RT, Tampa Bay |
The Detroit Wheels and Tampa Bay Bandits appeared to be on a collision course all season long as they pummeled opponents on their way to the best records in their respective conferences. And, as expected, both earned one-sided victories in conference championship games to advance to World Bowl IV.
The Wheels, 16-0 in the regular season, are now 18-0 after a 47-17 destruction of the Los Angeles Express in the American Conference title game. Detroit led, 30-7, at halftime. QB Mario Valencia threw for 464 yards and four TDs to four different receivers.
The score was last close at 16-7 with 2:14 remaining in the first half. Valencia then completed consecutive passes of 22, 34, and 19 yards, the last to TE Paul Lee, who dove inside the pylon for the TD. After an LAX punt, Valencia then completed four passes on a drive that ended with a 7-yard scoring throw to WR Timothy Hanna in the back of the end zone with 1:20 left that widened the gap to 30-7.
The Bandits made quick work of the New York Stars, scoring a touchdown or field goal on eight of their first nine possessions. Before the second Tampa Bay punt of the game, the Bandits led, 48-13.
Tampa Bay QBs Luis Gero and Tyrone Harvell combined for 713 gross passing yards, completing 43 of 66 attempts with six TDs, one sack, and zero interceptions. WR Edward Conner caught 14 passes for 321 yards and a pair of scores. Rookie LDE William Lewis recorded two sacks.
World Bowl IV Preview
Detroit is undefeated (18-0 total), Tampa Bay nearly undefeated (17-1 total). So, it seems we should expect a titanic struggle. However, we're pretty sure that's what the Chicago Blitz, Pittsburgh Maulers, and New Orleans VooDoo expected before losing World Bowl games by an average score of 45-8. The MFN oddsmakers have Detroit as a 3-point favorite.The Wheels won World Bowl III and are on a 25-game overall win streak since losing to the Cleveland Thunderbolts in Week 12 of the 1976 season. Tampa Bay is 33-3 in its last 36 games.
The only previous meeting of these teams ended in a 19-10 Bandits victory in Week 3 of the 1975 regular season. Four Thomas Hummel field goals that day were accompanied by a Paul Robinson TD pass to Danny Smith. Robinson was not re-signed after that season and Smith has retired.
The Bandits led the league in yards from scrimmage per game this season (587.1) and Detroit was third (501.6). The Wheels ranked 10th in yards from scrimmage allowed (371.4), the Bandits 15th (388.1).
Tampa Bay will be without starting TE James Montgomery (knee). Detroit will be missing LT Timothy Milligan (ankle) and RT Levi Smith (knee). Center Billy McKissick (foot) is questionable.
