It wasn't that long ago when Tony Dean and the Houston Gamblers hoisted the championship trophy, and here we are, starting season 22 already. Dean and the Gamblers did not miss a beat as all 3 phases contributed to a 50-0 shellacking of division rival Oklahoma. That was one of just 5 division games, with 2 of them being Wildcard rematches. Just like January, Detroit beat Michigan and New Jersey beat Philadelphia. We also had a game in Week 1 that some people thought would be the World Bowl XXI matchup, Portland vs Baltimore. The Storm ended the Stars 17 game regular season winning streak. We also saw the Tankers become the Wranglers again, as they win and are over .500 for the first time in a long time.
Gamblers 50 Outlaws 0
It took a few drives for the Houston offense to get on track, but the Gamblers defense was able to score first following a strip sack of Oklahoma QB John Crisp. LDE Wesley Douglass hit the trifecta, getting the sack, strip, and fumble recovery in the end zone. Tony Dean then led a FG drive before firing the first of his 4 TDs near the end of the 1st quarter for a 17-0 lead after 15 minutes. Dean's 4 TD passes went to 4 different receivers with Jett Black leading the way in yardage, with 150 on 5 catches. Dean finished the game 27/37, 423 yards and 4 TDs. The Houston defense made like rough all game for the Outlaws offense, turning them over 6 times and holding them to 110 total yards.
Federals 27 (NY) Stars 16
New York QB Damien Oleary lit up the Washington defense for 403 yards, but his 2 INTs hurt the cause, as did 3 lost fumbles and a late turnover on downs. Washington had a slim 16-10 lead late in the 4th when New York opted to go for a 4th and 8 from their own 13 with just over 3 minutes left. The pass failed and Washington capitalized with a 2 yard James Dunn TD run and a 2 point run by Robert Trammell. Oleary's 2nd INT came on the next play, allowing John Bazile to boot his 4th FG of the game. Oleary then completed a 75 yard TD pass to Albert Olson that was too little, too late.
Storm 23 Stars 13
This game was ruled by the defense as neither offense threw the ball well at all. Both teams were able to run for a decent average but each team also lost a fumble. The Portland defense allowed Jon Snow just 177 passing yards on 23 completions, intercepting him 4 times and Marcelino McCarthy returned one 50 yards for a TD in the 1st qtr to give Portland the lead for good. The Storm did have a 100 yard receiver as Richard Robinson had exactly half of Melvin Driggers 226 passing yards, catching 6 for 113 yards on the day. The Storm did have 325 yards of offense, but they also turned the ball over 3 times, only to be bailed out by their defense making Jon Snow's life miserable.
Wheels 15 Panthers 7
Detroit flexed their muscles on defense today, intercepting Larry Henderson 5 times and holding the Panthers to 217 yards. Henderson had a miserable all around game, completing 16/35 for 92 yards and those 5 INTs. Detroit also sacked Henderson 3 times, including once for a safety. Michigan's offense was held in check most of the game, and almost half of their yardage came on a 4th qtr 97 yard TD run by Walter Simmons to get the Panthers within 12-7. Their last 3 drives went INT, 3 and out, INT and Detroit added a FG for the tight division win.
Generals 28 Bell 6
New Jersey wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Forrest Gump took the opening kickoff 104 yards to the house and an instant 7-0 lead for the Generals. Philadelphia would later face a 4th and goal from the 1 and opted for a FG to cut the lead to 7-3. Don Ferguson extended the Generals lead with a 27 yard TD pass to Redd Foxx, then Philadelphia once again drove into the New Jersey red zone only to come away with a FG. The game stayed 14-6 through the 3rd quarter before Ferguson threw a pair of 4th qtr TD passes to lead New Jersey to victory. Philadelphia RB Jamie Epperson had a combined 184 offensive yards, rushing for 67 and catching 8 passes for 117 yards.
