Devils outstun Ghosts

So much for Casper.

The Ghosts were looking formidable through their final run of division play and considered a dark horse in the playoff race. They beat the Los Angeles Devils by a touchdown in the regular season in their typical fashion of stifling defense, and had home field advantage for this wildcard rematch. But the Devils matched the Ghosts' grinding style, responding to the first score with a lightning strike, taking control with a 10-point 2nd quarter, then forcing the Ghosts to punt on every possession after a 2nd-half, first-drive field goal, and reversing the season decision with their own one-TD win.

After exchanging punts, Casper drove 67 yards in 10 plays to score on a 16-yard run by RB Jock Kitsch in the first quarter. The Devils scored 4 plays later on a 62-yard TD pass from QB Justin Kredabul to TE Dale Dawn. They added a 48-yard field goal by K Jacques Didjeridu on the first play of the 2nd quarter, then converted an interception into score, a 13-yard pass to WR C.C. Fly, to take a 10-point lead to halftime. Casper K Burt Bath made a 56-yard field goal on the 2nd series of the 2nd half, after L.A. punted. And from there, the Ghosts wouldn't cross the goal line or posts again.

The teams were nearly even statistically, Fang 17/37 for 239 yards, Kredabul 16/27 for 243, but perhaps the key difference in the game, Fang with an interception and no TD, Kredabul with 2 TDs and no interception. Kitsch led all rushers with 60 yards, LA's Lyle Lott with just 40 yards, and Casper WR Ariel Drone led all receivers with 9 catches for 125 yards, but the Devil receivers were more even, Dawn with 78 yards and a TD, Fly 66 and a TD, and WR Major Bedd with 82 yards.

People keep ahead of Waves

No such letdown for Peoria. Despite the Macon Waves looking keen for a shootout in the first half, the People, coming off an impressive win over Manhattan to end the season, outdistanced their opponent in the 2nd half to set up another game with Manhattan.

After Peoria K Nick Sabum missed a 48-yard field goal on the opening drive, Macon churned to a 6-yard TD run by RB Danko Dump in 10 plays. The People came right back, this time to score and answer in kind, with a 10-yard TD pass from QB Colin Oskopy to RB Justin Sane (big play on the drive: 29-yard pass to WR Dustin DeWynn). Waves K Norman Norwoman then missed a 53-yard field goal attempt, and Peoria took the laed when Oskopy ripped off a 48-yard TD run. The Waves struck right back, a 42-yard Dump run setting up the 2-yard TD run by WR Lambda Slaughter. The People then went on a 14-play march to a 3-yard TD pass to DeWynn. The Waves added a 46-yard field to open 2nd-half scoring, but Peoria answered that with a drive to a 4-yard TD pass to RB Justin Krotch. Then they finished off the Waves in the 4th with a 7-yard TD run by Oskopy who had another run on the drive of 26 yards.

The Waves proved that Eaton-Lyon and their offense could pick the Peoria lock, and rookie Dump led all running backs with 63 yards rushing. But it was Oskopy's dual threat rushing and passing that carried the day and ultimately the People closed down the Macon offense in the 2nd half. DeWynn led all receivers with 6 catches for 83 yards and a TD.