Fantasy Rewind for Week 16
UTAH AT KANSAS CITY
The Blaze secured a playoff spot, with QB Andy Kelly back behind center in spite of being pulled last week for former starter, QB Joe Germaine. Kelly threw for 306 yards and 5 TDs, three of those going to OS Siaha Burley, who finished his fine season by adding 13 catches for 152 yards against a weak Brigade defense. WR Orshawante Bryant had 7 catches for 64 yards and a score, adding an impressive 7 solo tackles on the defensive side. WR Tom Pace scored one on the ground to go along with his 5 for 49, 1 TD receiving day. DS Kelvin Hunter led the Blaze defense with 10 solo tackles.
QB Chris Sanders sat out the season finale, as the Brigade turned the reigns over to QB Raymond Philyaw, surely disappointing some fantasy owners. Sanders had been one of the better point producers, and while Philyaw didn't do badly, throwing for 285 yards and 5 TDs, running for one more, chances are no owners started him. WR Aaron Boone recovered from his one bad week, and if you didn't lose faith you ended up benefitting greatly from his 13 catches for 147 yards and 5 TDs. The only other notable Kansas City player was DS Calvin Spears, who ended with 6 solo stops and an INT.
NEW YORK AT DALLAS
As predicted, QB Clint Dolezel came out winging the ball, connecting for 210 yards and 6 TDs in the first half, setting the season record for TD passes with 105 on the year. Dolezel rested in the second half of this game, which was meaningless to the playoff seedings for both teams. Another notable no-show was WR Will Pettis, who gave was to WR Troy Mason (6 for 105, TD) as he rested his knee. OS Terrill Shaw caught 9 balls for 81 yards and 3 TDs, and WR Dialleo Burks ended with 5 catches for 75 yards and a TD, running one in as well as collecting 3 solo tackles. FB Josh White had a great game against his former team, running for 36 yards and a TD, with 3 tackles and a sack on defense. Leading 51-17 at halftime, Dallas played conservative the whole second half, aiming towards the playoffs. DS Jermaine Jones recorded 2 solo tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions.
The Dragons didn't put up must resistance in this game, with QB Nick Browder (65 yards, 1 TD) playing sparingly and WR Mike Horacek and OS Kevin Swayne sitting out completely. QB Sam Clemons played most of the game against the best defense in the Arena League, finishing with 193 yards and 2 TDs, with 2 INTs. FB Bruce Blue ran two in for New York, who just didn't show much at all. DS Dahnel Singfield finally returned to his early season form, with 8 solo tackles.
ARIZONA AT COLORADO
In a familiar role, OS Damien Harrell took over this game for the Crush, catching 5 balls for 61 yards and 5 TDs, also scoring a TD on a fumble recovery, giving him 61 for the year and shattering the former record. If anyone doubts that Harrell is the best player in the Arena Football League, they're probably too skeptical to admit the sun will come up tomorrow. QB John Dutton threw for 228 yards and 7 TDs, with WR Willis Marshall (9 for 75, 2 tackles, INT for a TD), WR Ahmad Hawkins (5 for 63, TD, 3 tackles) and WR Andy McCullough (5 for 50) all contributing. DS Rashad Floyd closed out his wonderful regular season with 10 solo tackles, allowing him to easily lead the league in that category.
True, Arizona didn't have the same motivation as Colorado, but were still outplayed easily by the Crush. QB Sherdrick Bonner threw for 211 yards and 3 TDs before giving way to QB Travis Cole. WR Randy Gatewood caught 8 balls for 109 yards and 2 TDs with 3 tackles on defense, finishing up his great season on a good note. OS Damien Groce caught 4 passes for 29 yards and a TD, but the Rattlers didn't really give a full effort in this game. DS Joe Todd recorded 7 solo tackles for Arizona.
AUSTIN AT ORLANDO
Austin was the only team in this game with incentive to play, securing their playoff positioning with a solid effort. As usual, QB John Fitzgerald (159 yards, 3 TDs) spread the ball around and controlled the game, as the Wranglers relied on the running of FB Dane Krager (30 yards, 3 TDs, 2 tackles and a sack) to pound out a victory. OS Derrick Lewis caught 3 balls for 46 yards and a TD, temporarily setting the rookie receiving mark (pending Sabercat Ben Nelson's game later on). WR Darrin Chiaverini (7 for 41, TD, 1 tackle) and WR Kevin Nickerson (6 for 61, TD, 13 rushing yards, 4 tackles) contributed to the win. DS Donvetis Franklin had 6 solo tackles and an INT.
QB Joe Hamilton played exactly one play, getting picked off and heading to the bench. QB Jake Eaton took over for the Predators, who protected their starters with nothing to gain. Eaton threw for 247 yards and 5 TDs, three of those going to the high-energy WR Jerrian James, who ended with 7 catches for 62 yards and 3 tackles. WR Javarus Dudley (6 for 83, TD, 2 tackles) and OS Jimmy Fryzel (5 for 84, TD, tackle) got some playing time to keep them sharp for the post-season. DS Kahlil Carter and DS Lin-Ji Shell both had 6 solo stops for Orlando.
CHICAGO AT GRAND RAPIDS
Chicago sealed a wildcard berth with a win over a troublingly uninspired Rampage team. QB Matt D'Orazio threw for 6 TDs and 189 yards, as the Rush returned two onside kicks in the second half for touchdowns, with DS Jeremy Unertl (4 tackles) and WR DeJuan Alfonzo (3 tackles, 4 catches, 50 yards, 2 TDs) doing the honors. OS Bobby Sippio (6 for 74, 2 TD) was hot early but cooled significantly once the Rush pulled ahead to stay. FB Charlie Cook ran for 29 yards and a TD, also contributing a fumble recovery on defense. WR Dennison Robinson did most of his damage on the defensive side, with 11 tackles (6 solo) and 2 INTs.
The Rampage came out flat and stayed flat most of the game, even though QB Chad Salisbury threw for 300 yards and 5 TDs. WR Josh Bush (13 for 101, TD), WR Timon Marshall (8 for 115, TD) and OS Anthony Hines (6 for 67, 3 TDs) all finished their seasons on good statistical notes for Grand Rapids, but the team just couldn't stand up to the Rush intensity.
PHILADELPHIA AT GEORGIA
DS Eddie Moten returned an interception 31 yards for a score right before halftime, accentuating a 29-point run by the Soul that opened up a close game and put Philadelphia in the playoffs. Moten finished strong with 9 solo tackles and 2 INTs. The Philadelphia scoring mainly came through the running of FB Wes Ours, who went for 13 yards and 4 TDs, also adding 2 tackles. QB Tony Graziani threw for only 205 yards and 1 TD as the Soul ran for 6 scores, including one by WR Sean Scott (6 for 80, TD, 21 rushing yards, TD, 4 tackles).
The Force fell way behind and then just waiting for the Destroyers to lose to make the playoffs. QB Matt Nagy had one of his worst days, throwing for 269 yards and 4 TDs with 3 INTs. All three Georgia receivers had decent days, led by WR Derek Lee (10 for 134, 2 TDs), followed by WR Jamin Elliot (7 for 74, TD) and then OS Chris Jackson (7 for 61, TD). DS Chris Brown had 8 solo stops for the Force, who need to get inspired before next week's playoff game with the Dragons.
TAMPA BAY AT NASHVILLE
Early in the third quarter, Nashville asserted their dominance over the Storm, going on a 28-7 run highlighted by three scoring passes by QB Clint Stoerner. Stoerner finished with 256 yards and 4 TDs on the day, with two of those going to WR Darryl Hammond (3 for 45) in the 4th quarter. The Kats used the running game to wear down Tampa Bay, with FB Frank Carter (9 yards, 2 TDs), FB Rupert Grant (1 for 24, 16 rushing yards, TD) and WR Alonzo Nix (6 for 97 receiving yard, TD, 4 rushing yard, TD, 2 tackles) pounding in scores. DS Monty Montgomery returned from injury to lead the Kats with 6 solo tackles, 2 critical INTs and 2 forced fumbles.
The disappointing season for the Storm ended with that 2nd half run by Nashville. QB Shane Stafford finished his fine season on a down note, throwing for only 230 yards with 4 TDs, a rushing TD, but 3 interceptions. WR Lawrence Samuels (3 for 46, 2 TDs) and OS Freddie Solomon (8 for 102, TD) led the receivers in the final game of a season the Storm will work hard to forget.
COLUMBUS AT SAN JOSE
QB Mark Grieb broke his own record for passing yards in a season, finishing with 4,850 after throwing for 311 yards and 8 TDs against the Destroyers. As usual, OS Ben Nelson (8 for 81, 3 TDs, 2 tackles) and WR James Roe (6 for 93, 4 TDs, tackle) were the main recipients, with WR Barry Wagner (7 for 82, TD, 5 tackles) also joining in during what could be his final AFL game of a storied career. Nelson fell 16 yards short of passing Austin's OS Derrick Lewis for the single season receiving yards mark for a rookie, but didn't start until Week 6, so expect good things going forward. FB Phil Glover rushed for 42 yards and 2 TDs, giving him 15 on the season to lead the league. The Sabercats are an explosive team, and will generate waves in the playoffs.
The Destroyers missed out on the playoffs after getting pounded by the Sabercats. QB John Kaleo had a fine game, throwing for 284 yards and 5 TDs, running for another. WR David Saunders (5 for 51, 2 TDs), OS Darcey Levy (9 for 168, 3 TDs) and WR Marcus Knight (5 for 42, no TDs, 3 tackles) tried their best, but just couldn't keep up with San Jose's superior squad. DS Brandon Hefflin recorded 8 solo stops and an INT for Columbus.
LAS VEGAS AT LOS ANGELES
The Game that Time Forgot happened this past weekend in Los Angeles. QB Sonny Cumbie threw for 193 yards and 2 TDs, with 2 INTs as well. WR Kevin Ingram finished his fine season with 9 catches for 90 yards and a TD, also contributing 2 tackles on defense. DL/OL Trevor Hutton recovered a missed FG for a score in what was probably the most exciting moment in this game. K Remy Hamilton nailed three more FGs, from 18, 46 and 25 yards, making him 27 for 36 on the year and solidifying his status as the best kicker in Arena Football. FB Lonnie Ford ran for 22 yards and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score.
Las Vegas closed out a disappointing season with QB Jason Fife back behind center. Fife found himself playing against an inspired Avengers defense and finished with only 164 yards and 2 TDs, also scoring one on the ground. WR Joe Douglass was the only offensive spark for the Gladiators, catching 8 balls for 78 yards and 2 TDs. OS Marcus Nash ended his disappointing season with 7 catches for 56 yards, not scoring. DS Nick Davis did have 9 tackles (6 solo), a fumble recovery and an interception for Las Vegas.
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