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Stallions 22 Stars 20
Birmingham had the ball for most of the first half, but only led 13-7. The Stallions got the ball first and capped off a 7 play 75 yard TD drive with this David Schmitt TD pass to William Taylor. That 7-0 lead would last into the 2nd qtr when Birmingham K Gerald Hinton nailed a 51 yd FG to extend the Stallions lead to 10-0. Baltimore's Jeffrey Gentry returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to cut the lead to 10-7. Birmingham added another FG, but could have had more points but they ran out of time just as they approached Hinton's range.
The Baltimore fans had to be feeling hopeful as they only trailed 13-7 at the break, despite being outplayed. Birmingham had 12 first downs in the first half, to just two for Baltimore and the yards were also in the Stallions favor 223-66.
Baltimore drove to the cusp of the red zone to start the 3rd qtr but Jon Snow's 2nd INT killed the scoring chance. Birmingham then went on a 13 play 70 yard drive where it seemed they would add to their lead. Baltimore WLB Charles Lyon had other ideas however, as this INT thwarted the Stallions scoring opportunity.
The 3rd qtr was scoreless so the game was still 13-7 Birmingham when Jon Snow threw his 3rd INT of the day. This one was a back-breaker, as Birmingham CB Gerald McCormick returned it for a TD. The Stallions were intercepted on the 2 point conversion attempt, making the score 19-7. Baltimore did not quit at this point however, instead taking just 5 plays to find the end zone. The Snow to Timothy Harmon TD cut the lead to 19-14.
Both teams punted back and forth until Baltimore turned it over on downs with 1:39 left on the clock. Three running plays, three time outs and a FG had Birmingham on top 22-14. Birmingham stayed in their base defense and got burned. Jon Snow found Timothy Harmon again, this time for 75 yards to cut the lead to 22-20, with a potential game tying 2 point attempt to come. Jon Snow's pass fell incomplete, the onside kick failed and 2 kneeldowns sealed Birmingham's first ever trip to the World Bowl.
Gamblers 29 Showboats 17
Houston took the opening kickoff and drove the length of the field, but had to settle for a Daniel McCormick 21 yd FG. Memphis took their opening possession down the field with ease just like Houston. Also like Houston, they had to settle for 3. James Ewing's 28 yarder tied the game at 3.
The Gamblers were pinned at their own 5 after the teams traded punts, but they got out of the hole in a big way, with a 52 yard catch and run by Gabriel Ahrens. The drive ended with a Tony Dean 1 yd TD pass to Mark Lambert, giving Houston a 10-3 lead.
Right after the 2 minute warning, Houston RB Chase Miles fumbled with the recovery by the Showboat's Shawn Hicks. Hicks fumbled the ball back to Houston on the return, killing their momentary momentum gain. The very next play, Tony Dean found Gabriel Ahrens for a 6 yard TD and a 16-6 lead as Daniel McCormick's XP attempt was wide right.
Memphis got the ball first and drove for a FG, making the score 16-9. Houston then went on a 13 play 8 minute drive for a FG of their own to push the lead back to 10 points. Memphis then went three and out, putting their defense right back on the field. Houston had a 7 play, 81 yard TD drive capped off with a 31 yard Tony Dean to Willie Nelson TD pass for a 26-9 lead.
Memphis got a 6 yard TD run by David Austin and a 2 point conversion to cut the lead to 9 points early in the 4th qtr. Memphis forced a three and out, and were driving for a score when WR Ken Hubbard, playing RB, fumbled the ball away, effectively ending the Showboats hopes of another World Bowl appearance. Houston drained the clock and kicked a FG, giving us our final score of 29-17.
Houston is now seeking their second straight World Bowl victory which would be the franchise's third in four years.
