The LAF Report, May 29, 2004
Playoffs
Dons Break Strangler HoldOrlando tied the game at 10 in the 2nd quarter, then broke it open in the 2nd half with a string of scores on 4 straight possessions and one of Boston's. The surge was sparked by a 56-yard punt return by Orlando WR Orson Round following the first Boston possession of the half. Orlando RB Love Macon scored 2 plays later from the 4 yard line, then on Boston's ensuing possession, the Dons sacked Boston QB Anson Pants for 14 yards, and got a safety on the next play when Boston TE Marky DeSade was hit behind the line of scrimmage after a screen pass, fumbled, and had to fall on the ball in the end zone to prevent an Orlando TD. Orlando scored on a 36-yard Jim Coach field goal on the drive following the safety free kick, to make it 22-10, and then got TDs on each of their next 2 drives. Orlando QB Dick Grub passed for 221 yards and a TD, and Macon rushed for 95 yards, while the Dons held Boston RB Tyrone Shoelace to 38 yards and a TD rushing, and All-East WR Luke St. Everything to 31 yards on 5 catches, though he had a TD. |
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Hot Boils, Maniacs Scrub WashingtonManhattan turned the tables on Washington, in the game as for the season result. The resurgent Washington, which took the Central East title from Manhattan, beating them in the regular season, led 14-3 after RB Dwight Moves' 3-yard run to cap their first series of the 2nd half. But the Maniacs rallied with field goal before the 3rd quarter ended, then 3 TDs in the 4th. RB Duane DeTubb scored on a 29-yard run and a 12-yard pass. WR Ezra Doctrine-House caught 7 passes for 90 yards and a TD. Manhattan's defense was particularly effective against the pass, as Washington QB Drew Piedrors completed only 8 of 29 for 139 yards and 1 TD, with 1 interception. Washington did not live up to their defensive performance of the earlier game. |
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Sinners Roll LogsIt was hard enough for Lincoln to live down the distinction of being the first team ever in the playoffs with a losing record. Las Vegas made it even easier to say Lincoln didn't belong. All they needed was the 1-2 punch of QB Andy Christ and WR Jason Rainbows. Christ passed for only 180 yards, but 121 of it was to Rainbows, who scored 2 TDs, and there were 2 other TD passes. But Christ also rushed 15 times for 139 yards and a TD, repeatedly burning a Lincoln defense desperate to cover his receivers. While Lincoln's star, WR Homer Sekshule, taxed the Vegas defense for 10 catches, 99 yards and TD, the Sinners allowed Log QB Colin Card only 138 yards passing and intercepted him 3 times. Las Vegas now faces a rematch with conference foe Wichita in the Western Final. |
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Linemen Walk Thin One AgainThe game was eerily similar to last week's wildcard playoff against Flagstaff, right down to an improvised 2-point conversion on a botched extra point kick attempt. The difference was that Wichita waited till the end of the game to score in response to the rally of their opponent, this time Tucson, and thus also did not leave the spread at one point. The Linemen dominated the first half, building an 18-3 lead. But also just as Flagstaff did, the Rednecks stormed back immediately in the 2nd half. On the first possession, a 50-yard pass play from QB Lee Jerome Life to Duwop was the bulk of an 80-yard scoring drive, with RB Daryl Licht catching a 2-yard pass for the score. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Duwop's 29-yard reception was the biggest play of a drive he capped with a 2-yard run for the TD. The score stood at 18-17, with Wichita holding the lead thanks to that 2-point play, just as they had against Flagstaff. But the Lineman took an extra step to win running away, when, after effectively wrapping up the game by forcing the Rednecks to punt near the end of the 4th quarter, they got a miffed punt to set them up at the Tucson 30. Fire, who caught an 18-yard pass to the 14 in the drive, scored on a 3-yard pass from QB Payne Indiass. |
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