In the early years of the USFL, the Houston Gamblers were run by a loud mouthed jerk with the screenname of Booger926. He used to talk a lot but not be able to back it up on the field, compiling a record of 27-69 in 6 seasons with none over .500. Setherick took over the Gamblers when Booger left, going 32-16 in 3 seasons, and bringing a championship to Houston with a win over the New Jersey Generals in World Bowl IX. Seth walked away after that win and Offensive Taco took over for 1 season before Cjfred68 started the current dynasty. This was the 12th season that CJ has led Houston, and the 12th time they have been in the post season. During this incredible run, Houston has only lost more than 3 games in a season 1 time, and that was 12-4 in 1994. Houston won the World Bowl in each of CJ's first 2 seasons, then 3 years later, CJ won his 3rd title, team's 4th. Since that 1988 title, Houston was still a solid title contender, but went 5 seasons without a World Bowl appearance until that 12-4 season in 1994. They went all the way through the playoffs and won the World Bowl over Washington and repeated that feat in 1995.
In order to three-peat, Houston had to overcome the New Jersey Generals and their high powered offense. Generals QB Don Ferguson threw 64 TD passes this season, most in league history and he led New Jersey to a pair of lopsided playoff wins to get to the World Bowl.
Houston Gamblers 21 New Jersey Generals 6
Tony Dean got Houston on the scoreboard first with a 2 yard pass to Donald Turner on the Gambler's second drive of the game after each team had punted once. New Jersey would answer with a long drive of their own, but the offense stalled at the Houston 2 yard line and an Al Borland FG cut the lead to 7-3. The New Jersey defense forced a three and out, then Don Ferguson threw an INT but the defense bailed him out with another three and out and the score remained 7-3 Houston after a quarter.
New Jersey went on another long scoring drive in the 2nd quarter, but once again they had to settle for an Al Borland FG to trail 7-6. Tony Dean and the Gamblers answered with a TD drive, taking a 14-6 lead on Dean's 35 yard TD pass to Jett Black inside the 2 minute warning.
The 3rd quarter was scoreless until Tony Dean found Hugh Chance with a 9 yard TD pass with 4:29 to go, giving Houston a 21-6 lead. Don Ferguson and the Generals never threatened to score again as A.J. Winehouse had 2 punts die at the New Jersey 1 yard line and Ferguson threw an INT as they approached the Gamblers red zone.
QB play was the big difference in this game as Don Ferguson completed 27/49, 245 yards and 2 INTs while Tony Dean completed 18/31, 219 yards and 3 TDs. Tony Dean was named World Bowl MVP again and is awarded a brand new 1997 Corvette for his effort. He'll have to build a new addition to his garage.
