We'll crown a first time champion at the conclusion of World Bowl XVI, as the Baltimore Stars return after losing World Bowl XV to face the first time American Conference Champion Portland Storm. Baltimore jumped out to a huge early lead and bested their namesakes from New York while Portland overcame a 10 point 4th qtr deficit to prevail in OT over Memphis.
Storm 26 Showboats 23
Each team had just 1 loss on the season and were heavy favorites to reach this point of the playoffs. The game played out like a heavyweight boxing match, as both teams took the early part to feel the other team out before landing the heavy blows.
Memphis struck first midway through the 2nd qtr as Mark Lambert punched it in from 1 yard out, and Lambert also ran in the conversion for the 8-0 Showboats lead. Portland would answer that with a FG before David Allen found Willie Howland on a short pass that turned into a 66 yard TD after a missed tackle. Lambert followed with another 2 point conversion and the first half ended 16-3 Memphis.
The Showboats got the ball to start the 3rd qtr and David Allen promptly threw an INT. Portland took over at the Showboats 26 and 5 plays later, James Pritchard caught a 12 yard TD pass from Oscar Willis to cut the lead to 16-10. Portland would add a FG to make the score 16-13 Memphis after 3.
On the second play of the final quarter, Mark Lambert got his 2nd TD of the game, this one a 5 yard pass from David Allen, giving Memphis a 10 point lead. Midway through the quarter, Portland kicked a FG to get within 7, and they got the ball back with 6:23 left. The Storm went on a 10 play, 77 yard drive that took all but 1:14 off the clock, tying the score at 23 on a 24 yard Oscar Willis pass to Peter Jessee.
In the overtime period, Memphis got the ball first and drove into Portland territory before having to punt. The Storm were pinned at their 7 yard line and were forced to punt as well. On the Showboats second OT drive, the one Memphis weakness reared it's ugly head at the worst possible time. QB David Allen was intercepted by Antonio Wendel, setting Portland up at the edge of FG range. The Storm couldn't gain a first down, but no matter for Donald Dosch, as his 48 yard FG went through the uprights, sending the Storm to their first ever World Bowl appearance.
Baltimore 54 New York 26
Baltimore jumped out to a 17-0 1st qtr lead, increased that to 27-6 by halftime and added another TD at the beginning of the 3rd for a commanding 34-6 cushion. New York played them even after that but the damage was already done. Baltimore QB Jon Snow threw for 453 yards and 4 TDs, two of those to Jeffrey Zimmer (1st TD, 2nd TD). Zimmer caught 5 for 152 yards today and Mark "Puts Up" Numbers, did just that. Numbers ran 12 times for 65 yards and caught 3 passes for 143 yards and this TD, a 79 yard catch and run. Even little used WR John Warkentin got in on the TD act with this 45 yard effort.
It wasn't all offense for Baltimore, as they also scored two defensive TDs. The first one came just before halftime, as MLB Ronnie Fox intercepted Willie Bust, returning it 20 yards for a back breaking TD. The second one came late in the 3rd as Baltimore bull rushed Bust. Donald Ramsey got the sack and stripped the ball loose and Joseph Gerald fell on the loose ball in the end zone. Kicker Fred Boyce added 4 FGs for Baltimore.
For New York, Cam Dalton had 121 combined yards and this TD. Damien Bierman caught 10 passes for 67 yards and this TD.
