The road to World Bowl XXIX began today with 6 wildcard games, only one of which was within one score. The lack of drama plus 6 games means shorter write ups for each, and no imbedded highlights. I have to work in a few hours and still do a couple game plans and free agency 1.
Memphis Showboats 41 Chicago Blitz 3
Memphis came into the game with a 13-2-1 record yet was on the road against a 7-9 division winner. Chicago may have had home field but any advantage was quickly wiped away as the Showboats needed just over 2 minutes to take a 14-0 lead. Norman Maldonado found Richard Harris for a 65 yard TD pass, and after a Chicago fumble, Maldonado made it 14-0 with a 9 yard TD pass to Jeremy Wheatley. Maldonado would throw a 3rd TD pass later in the 1st quarter and the rout was on. Maldonado finished 22/28 for 303 yards and 4 TDs to 4 different receivers. The Memphis defense forced 4 turnovers and had 5 sacks.
Houston Gamblers 20 San Jose SaberCats 9
San Jose struggled offensively all game but the SaberCats defense intercepted Bryan Franklin 3 times and took a 9-6 lead into the 4th quarter. Earl Castro tied it with a 53 yard FG with under 6 minutes to play, then the Gamblers defense forced a three and out. Up to this point, the longest play was a 29 yard pass completion but Franklin found Harley Race for a 70 yard catch and run TD to give Houston a 15-9 lead and Franklin passed for the 2 point conversion for a 17-9 lead. San Jose went four and out, allowing Houston to tack on a FG to seal the victory.
Portland Storm 23 Arizona Wranglers 6
It's been 15 seasons since we last saw Arizona in the playoffs and after a quick exit, Wranglers fans have to hope it's not another 15 year wait to get back. Both defenses came to play as Portland turned it over 3 times and allowed 3 sacks while Arizona turned it over 4 times. The Wranglers had maybe 6 healthy OL for the game but they held up well, allowing just 1 sack. The first Arizona turnover came on the first possession, allowing Portland a short field to drive for a TD. Robert Fanelli found William Allen for a 2 yard TD and a quick 7-0 lead. Arizona would get within 7-6 by the 2nd quarter before Portland kicked one of their own for a 10-6 halftime lead. Portland added a pair of 3rd quarter FGs for a 16-6 lead going into the 4th. RB Robert Byrd led the Portland offense with 110 rushing yards and his 14 yard TD midway through the 4th put the game away for the Storm.
New Jersey Generals 16 Orlando Renegades 9
The Big Lebowski got the game started right for the Generals, returning the opening kickoff 103 yards for the instant 7-0 lead. The Renegades fans had just begun settling in their seats when they thought, oh no, is this one of those games where the Generals pile on the points? No, it's not. In fact that was it for TDs on the day. The rest of the game was a FG kicking contest with each kicker booting 3. New Jersey had the longer kicks and Orlando has to be kicking themselves that they couldn't turn at least one of their short FGs into a TD.
Birmingham Stallions 22 Philadelphia Bell 10
Philadelphia scored first on a Bryant Smith TD pass, but the Stallions defensive coordinator got the game ball because his defense intercepted Smith 5 times today. Smith finished 16/36, so even when they weren't getting turnovers, they were shutting down the Bell offense. When the Stallions had the ball it was unspectacular but effective. They only had 290 offensive yards but they kept the chains moving, going 10/20 on 3rd down. Birmingham kept the ball nearly 37 minutes and scored 16 unanswered points for a 16-7 lead early in the 3rd. Philadelphia cut it to 16-10 soon after but their last 3 drives ended in punts while the Stallions last 2 drives covered 29 plays combined.
Pittsburgh Maulers 34 Charlotte Hornets 0
Congratulations to Charlotte for making the playoffs but the schedule makers did them no favors by giving them a 3rd game with Pittsburgh. The Maulers won the first 2 games 31-17 and 41-0, so would that trend continue? Yes it would, as the Maulers racked up 582 yards, 399 through the air and took a 27-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. Brian White actually threw for 407 yards but took an 8 yard sack, and the Maulers offense was not efficient, although they didn't need to be. White also threw 3 INTs and the Maulers only scored 2 TDs in 5 red zone trips (2 FGs also). Larry Martinez ran for 126 yards and Jose Brown caught 4 for 100 yards and a TD to lead the Maulers skill players.
