Fantasy Rewind for Week 14
ARIZONA AT DALLAS
Dallas cruised to a 34-14 halftime lead, coasting in the second half to improve to 12-2. QB Clint Dolezel finished with 290 yards and 7 TDs, barely missing his 6th 300-yard game of the year. WR Will Pettis (8 for 117, 3 TDs, 3 tackles) and OS Terrill Shaw (8 for 101, 1 TD) both went over 100 yards receiving, while WR Dialleo Burks, the odd man out again, caught 4 passes for 45 yards, but did pull in 2 touchdowns. DS Hamin Milligan had 5 solo stops for the Desperados, who called off the dogs again in the second half.
The Rattlers worked hard to make this one close in the 4th quarter, with QB Sherdrick Bonner throwing for 4 TDs in the last stanza. Bonner finished with 312 yards and 7 TDs, including 4 to OS Curtis Fagan, who finished with 8 catches for 110 yards. WR Randy Gatewood had his normal amazing game, with 10 catches for 138 yards, 2 TDs and 5 tackles.
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW YORK
The Dragons scored with 1:14 left in the 1st half, recovered the ensuing kickoff off the net for another score, and converted a turnover on the opening Soul drive of the second half into another score to break open a close game. But just when the Dragons seemed to have the game in the bag, Philadelphia came storming back, scoring 35 of the next 42 points, setting up the Dragons to be saved by a late pass from QB Nick Browder to OS Kevin Swayne (8 for 66) for the winning score, Swayne's fifth TD grab of the game. Browder finished with only 178 yards passing, but threw 7 TDs, adding a 2-pt pass to WR Mike Horacek (4 for 72, 2 TDs), who also added 2 tackles and a fumble recovery on defense.
QB Connell Maynor came in for QB Matt Sauk (110 yards, 1 TD) and completed 13 of 21 passes for 118 yards and 4 TDs, running for another 29 yards. However, Maynor was stopped on a QB sneak from the 1-yard line as time expired, allowing the Dragons to escape with the victory in a very exciting game. WR Sean Scott led the receivers for the Soul, snaring 7 balls for 60 yards and a TD, while WR Rob Milanese (4 for 35) scored twice. WR Mike Brown (4 for 62) and OS Steve Smith (2 for 35) each were stunted for the Soul. DS Eddie Moten had 5 solo tackles and returned an interception 28 yards for a score.
CHICAGO AT GEORGIA
The Force may have won this game when the knocked QB Matt D'Orazio silly early in the first quarter. Without their leader, the Rush fell behind 42-7 at the half, with Force QB Matt Nagy throwing 6 TDs in the first 40 minutes. Nagy finished with 236 yards and 7 TDs, as the Force pulled back into the offensive fetal position in the 2nd half against the overmatched Rush. WR Derek Lee was the big star, catching 8 balls for 108 yards and 3 TDs, also returning an interception 45 yards to the end zone. OS Chris Jackson had muted stats, with 5 catches for 55 yards and 2 TDs, all in the first half. DS Nate Coggins returned to the lineup and had 11 solo tackles for the Force.
When D'Orazio went down after 2 pass attempts for 7 yards, the Rush just looked completely confused. QB Michael Bishop seemed unprepared, finishing with 252 yards passing and only 2 TDs, as the Rush were held to 20 points. WR Etu Molden had the only good stats for Chicago, catching 10 balls for 77 yards and 1 TD. OS Bobby Sippio came down from the clouds, with 7 catches for 56 yards and no TDs a week after scoring 6 times. FB Bob McMillen scored for the first time since Week 8, adding 2 yards to his rushing record.
KANSAS CITY AT TAMPA BAY
The Blowout Weekend continued in this game, as the Storm taught the Brigade a thing or two about playing in Tampa Bay. The Storm jumped out to a 31-14 halftime lead which eventually swelled to 44-21. QB Shane Stafford recovered from last week's horrible outing to throw for 314 yards and 6 TDs, running one in for good measure. OS Freddie Solomon was the recepient of almost half of Stafford's completions, finishing with 11 catches for 157 yards and 3 TDs. WR Lawrence Samuels (5 for 41, 2 TDs) and WR Demetris Bendross (5 for 69, TD) played well, as did WR Lynarise Elpheage who catch 2 balls for 20 yards, but had 11 tackles (9 solo) and 3 pass breakups. DS Leroy Smith also had 9 solo stops and an INT for the Storm.
The Brigade got two late 4th quarter TD passes from QB Chris Sanders to make this game seem closer than it was, pulling to within 16. Sanders finished with 282 yards and 4 TDs, running for another 18 and a score. Sanders is going to be a great AFL quarterback with more experience and more weapons. OS Jerel Myers had an amazing game, catching 14 passes for 149 yards and 2 TDs, as Tampa Bay focused on taking away WR Aaron Boone, who had a disappointing 6 catches for only 50 yards and a TD. DS Chris Pointer had 6 solo stops for the Brigade.
COLUMBUS AT AUSTIN
This game was just what we expected: a low scoring defensive battle. Columbus won this one on the leg of K Mark Lewis, who connected on field goals of 17, 21, 26 and 37 yards, as well as all four of his extra points. WB John Kaleo (286 yards, 2 TDs) completed the game winning touchdown to WR David Saunders, who finished with 10 catches for 73 yards and 2 TDs. OS Carl Bond returned from injury to catch 6 passes for 81 yards. DS Brandon Hefflin had 8 solo stops and an INT for the Destroyers, who also got 7 solo stops from DS Cecil Doggette.
The Wranglers built a slight lead at the half (26-16) but had trouble converting on scoring chances in the 2nd half. QB John Fitzgerald threw for 303 yards and 3 TDs, with two of those going to OS Derrick Lewis (6 for 64). WR Darrin Chiaverini returned from injury to catch 14 passes for 140 yards, but no TDs. WR Kevin Nickerson had another disappointing game, catching 2 passes for 33 yards and a TD. DS Donvetis Franklin collected 8 solo tackles for Austin.
NASHVILLE AT GRAND RAPIDS
QB Chad Salisbury definitely sparks the Rampage offense. Without Salisbury, the Rampage looked anemic, but in the two week since Salisbury's return the Rampage have averaged 53 ppg. Salisbury threw for 321 yards and 7 TDs in the win over the Kats, connecting four times with OS Anthony Hines (10 for 134) and twice with WR Timon Marshall (3 for 102, 5 tackles). FB Chris Ryan caught the lone remaining TD (29 yards) and also ran for 6 yards and a TD. K Peter Martinez connected on two FGs (17 and 21 yards) and 7 extra points.
QB Clint Stoerner threw for 289 yards and 4 TDs for the Kats, running one in as well. But Stoerner was intercepted once and sacked four times, often needing to hurry his throws against an inspired Rampage. WR Cornelius Bonner caught 9 for 127 and a TD, but the Kat who kept Nashville in the game was OS TT Toliver, who had 4 catches for 100 yards and 3 TDs, also returning a kickoff for a touchdown. FB Dan Alexander ran for 21 yards and a TD, adding 2 tackles.
SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES
Well, if it's coming toward season's end, it means the Sabercats are running the ball. Against the Avengers, the Sabercats ran the ball 15 times, mainly within the 10-yard line, and both FB Brian Johnson (16 yards, 3 TDs) and FB Phil Glover (19 yards, 2 TDs) responded nicely. Of course, when San Jose runs it means sepia-colored stats for all other positions. QB Mark Grieb was used to move the ball into range for the runners, finishing with 263 yards and 2 TDs. The San Jose receivers, WR James Roe (7 for 78, 1 TD) and OS Ben Nelson (7 for 86, 1 TD), also suffered statistically with the running game but who's to complain when you're winning? San Jose clinched a playoff spot with the win and is playing as well as any team in the league. K Brian Schmitz hit two FGs along with 5 of 7 extra points.
Los Angeles is suffering through a disappointing year after winning the Western Division a year ago. QB Sonny Cumbie was frustrated for most of the game by a consistent defensive effort by the Sabercats, finishing with 278 yards and 4 TDs, plus a 2-point conversion pass. OS Tony Locke led the receivers with 6 catches for 102 yards but didn't score. WR Kevin Ingram (4 for 57, TD, 5 tackles), WR Greg Hopkins (4 for 74, TD, 1 tackle) and WR Rob Turner (3 for 12, 2 TDs, 2-pt catch) crossed the stripe for the Avengers in the losing effort.
UTAH AT LAS VEGAS
Utah is one of the hotter teams in the AFL, impressively winning a third in a row since signing QB Andy Kelly to lead the squad. Kelly connected on 25 of 33 passes for 312 yards and 9 TDs, taking over the lead for career touchdown passes with 762. Kelly has shined the star of his receivers, most notably OS Siaha Burley who caught 7 balls for 138 yards and 3 TDs. WR Tom Pace (6 for 63, 2 TDs, INT), WR Justin Skaggs (6 for 57, 2 TDs, tackle) and WR Orshawante Bryant (5 for 51, 1 TD, 2 tackles, INT) all had good stats against the reeling Gladiators. K Steve Videtich was perfect on all 9 of his extra point attempts.
QB Craig Whelihan took back over behind center for the Gladiators and showed his rust. Whelihan was 26 of 43, throwing for 301 yards and 3 TDs, running for two more, but also threw two critical interceptions. WR Joe Douglass led the receivers with 8 catches for 76 yards and a TD. WR Aleric Clark caught 4 balls for 51 yards and a TD, also returning the opening kickoff 57 yards for a score. FB Marlion Jackson scored on the ground and showed his versatility by catching 3 passes for 31 yards. OS Marcus Nash continued his disappointing season, catching 5 passes for 55 yards and failing to score. DS Ivory McCann had 12 tackles (10 solo) and broke up three passes for Las Vegas.
ORLANDO AT COLORADO
It didn't take long for OS Damien Harrell to set the all-time record for receiving TDs in a season, as Harrell pulled in the historic pass at 8:16 of the 1st quarter. But Harrell wasn't done for the day, collecting 15 catches for 172 yards and 5 TDs, leading the rout over the Predators. QB John Dutton attoned for his horrible Week 13, throwing for 345 yards and 9 TDs against one of the better defenses in the AFL. WR Andy McCullough starred as well, catching 9 passes for 103 yards and 2 scores. DS Rashad Floyd returned an interception 15 yards for a TD that all but sealed Orlando's fate, and finished with 8 solo tackles.
QB Joe Hamilton had a rough day, throwing for 274 yards and 4 TDs, with two interceptions before getting pulled for backup QB Jake Eaton (71 yards, 2 TDs). OS Jimmy Fryzel led the Predators with 6 catches for 121 yards and 2 TDs, with WR Javarus Dudley (4 for 73, 1 TD, 6 yard running TD) and WR DeAndrew Rubin (4 for 56, 2 TDs) doing their best to keep Orlando in this game. DS Kahlil Carter had 8 solo tackles on a night when the defense was just overmatched against the superior effort of the Crush.
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