Portland Storm 38 Washington Federals 10
The twentieth season of USFL/WFL concluded today with World Bowl XX from Honolulu, Hawaii between the Portland Storm and Washington Federals. All season long it kind of felt like we were 31 teams chasing after Portland, and except a Week 7 loss to Oakland, nobody could catch the Storm. In the post season, Portland had to get through 13-3 Houston, then 14-2 Memphis before facing off with 14-2 Washington today. There wasn't much drama to the game, as Portland scored 2 touchdowns the final 3 minutes of the first half to take a 21-3 lead before continuing to roll in the second half.
None of that should take away from the fine season Washington had. The Federals were in a tough division with 2 other playoff caliber teams, yet came out on top with only 2 losses. In the post season, they had to get through 13-3 Florida and travel to 15-1 New Jersey to reach World Bowl XX with a QB in Scott Bieber who wasn't playing his best football all season.
Portland got the ball first and Melvin Driggers led a 12 play, 75 yard TD drive for a 7-0 Storm lead on a 5 yard run by Timothy Roquemore. Scott Bieber led Washington to a FG on the Federals opening drive before the defenses showed up. Washington forced a three and out, but Scott Bieber threw an interception and the first quarter ended 7-3 Portland.
The second quarter began with Melvin Driggers throwing an interception as Portland approached the red zone, keeping the score 7-3. A few punts later, Portland had the ball on their own 20 and 13 plays later, James Pritchard ran it the final 10 yards to the end zone, extending Portland's lead to 14-3. Washington had about 2:30 to answer that score, and it looked like they were going to do just that as Scott Bieber drove the Federals inside the Portland 10. Portland CB John Quigley made sure there would be no points, intercepting Bieber at the 6 and bringing it back to the 33 yard line. Melvin Driggers then completed 4 of 5 passes, with the last pass covering 31 yards for a TD to Peter Jessee. That extended the lead to 21-3 and Washington missed a chance to creep closer as John Bazile was wide right on a 56 yard FG attempt to close out the first half.
Washington was down but not out, but the Federals went three and out on their first drive and Scott Bieber was sacked and lost a fumble on the next. WLB James Waggoner got the sack and the strip, while MLB Raymond McDonald scooped up the loose ball, returning it 10 yards. Portland turned that into 7 points after James Pritchard's 2nd TD run, this one for 6 yards and a 28-3 lead.
That was our score entering the 4th, and it didn't take long for Portland to extend that to 35-3. FB John Nance punched it in from the 1 for that score, and the only question now was what would the final score be. Portland would add an Alan Grossi FG for a 38-3 lead, then Scott Bieber found Ronald Matthews for a 49 yard TD, and our final score was Portland 38 Washington 10.
The Portland defense held Washington RB Robert Trammell in check, allowing him just 67 yards on 19 touches and RB James Dunn only had 5 touches all game. Scott Bieber completed 20/37, 234 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT and he was sacked twice. WR Ronald Matthews was the lone bright spot for the Federals with his 3 catches, 112 yards and a TD.
Portland RB Jose Moses was left off the All Pro ballot and he did not score today, but he still drives away in a brand new 1994 Chevrolet Corvette as the World Bowl MVP. Moses ran 23 times for 126 yards with 28 more yards on 4 receptions. Portland ran for 4 TDs in all, amassing 242 yards as a team, with Timothy Roquemore running for 72 yards and 1 TD. James Pritchard only ran 5 times for 35 yards, but he scored twice, and even little used ball carrier FB John Nance got in on the scoring. That left Melvin Driggers not much to do, but he did complete 20/31 for 198 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.
This is Portland's 3rd championship in 5 seasons, with the Storm taking a year off in between the previous ones. If form holds true, we'll have a new champion next season, but Lord help us all if Seth decides he's on a mission for back to back titles.
