World Bowl XXV was played in Jacksonville, Florida today between the defending champion New Jersey Generals and the Portland Storm. The Generals defeated the Storm in World Bowl XXIV last season, and both teams return for a rematch.
The first quarter was an exchange of punts, and that continued into the 2nd. Portland finally broke through first with a 34 yard FG by Donald Atkins for a 3-0 lead in the middle of the 2nd quarter. New Jersey answered with a nice drive of their own, but they got bogged down and penalized in the red zone, so they tied the game at 3 with a 39 yard Al Borland FG. Portland RB Rigoberto Swanson lost a fumble on the ensuing drive, allowing New Jersey to take over at the Portland 42. Eight plays later, Don Ferguson found Anthony Booker for a 2 yard TD and a 10-3 lead inside the 2 minute warning.
New Jersey got the ball to start the 3rd quarter but punted. On their second drive, they got a 55 yard FG from Al Borland to extend the lead to 13-3. Portland went three and out while New Jersey got another long Borland FG, this one from 52 yards and a 16-3 lead. Willie Benge then led Portland to a much needed TD drive, pulling within 16-10 thanks to his 43 yard TD pass to Guadalupe Navarette in the final minute of the 3rd.
New Jersey was forced to punt early in the 4th but Harry Potter magically pinned Portland at their 3 with a well placed punt and the Storm went three and out. New Jersey took over near midfield and Don Ferguson drove the Generals into the red zone. Ferguson finished the drive with a 9 yard TD pass to Franklin Cherry to extend their lead to 22-10. The 2 point try failed but New Jersey had a two score lead with 8 minutes to play. Portland went three and out, then Harry Potter pulled another wizard out of his hat, pinning Portland at their own 2. Willie Benge promptly threw an interception to Christopher Reeve, which led to a short FG and a 25-10 lead. Portland then went on an extended drive, facing a 4th and 19 inside the 2 minute warning. Benge's pass was intercepted by Private Ryan and 4 runs later, Al Borland's second 55 yard FG of the game put the icing on the cake. New Jersey wins their second consecutive World Bowl.
There wasn't any great statistical things to talk about and MFN lists Guadalupe Navarette as the top POTW, but we don't give World Bowl MVPs to the losing team, so New Jersey QB Don Ferguson drives away with the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette.
