Seattle erupts in unprecedented 4th quarter
The Seattle Nemesis not only improved to 4-1 on the season, but made history in the process. Up 14-10 at the end of the third quarter, Seattle scored 38 points in the fourth of what turned out to be a 52-17 blowout win over Louisiana (2-3). The 38 points broke a SFL record for most points scored in a single quarter, finally taking down D.C.'s Season 5 record of 36 points scored in a fourth quarter of a 59-45 victory over an injury-riddled Minneapolis Maulers squad. The Nemesis led just 7-0 at the half. A balanced offense (283 passing yards, 181 rushing yards) paced Seattle to the tune of 26 first downs. The 35-point win was the largest in Nemesis franchise history.
At the same time, the Baltimore Vultures and Mexico City Aztecs were going toe-to-toe at Estadio Matt Willson and an onside kick attempt fumbled - and nearly recovered - kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle of the 45-38 Vulture win. The Aztecs (2-3) trailed 38-24 before a successful fake field goal helped keep an eventual touchdown drive alive. Down 45-31, quarterback Jordan Sipe connected with Jason Bartley for a 56-yard score, trimming the deficit. The string of touchdowns came after five interceptions from Sipe, which the Vultures turned into 17 points. Baltimore (2-3) got 354 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and no picks from quarterback Jack Wigmore, his second-straight game over 350 and three interceptions from linebacker Alvin Mack.
The Minnesota Legend (4-1) stretched their winning streak to four on the road in Raleigh, topping the Skyhawks (2-4) 30-17, stopping the Hawks two-game streak in the 'W' column. Quarterback Johnny Reno led the charge with a 118.6 QBR (20/33, 283 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT), tossing at least three receptions to five different pass catchers. Minnesota vaulted into a big lead after a huge 17-0 second quarter. Matthew Alvarado paced the defense with nine tackles and the game's only interception.
Charleston (1-4) got its first win of the season, defeating Los Angeles (0-5) 13-10 in an offensive struggle. The two teams combined for less than 500 total yards of offense and the two quarterbacks combined to throw a whopping 31 incompletions, 24 coming from LA's Sully Richardson. The Predators lone touchdown came off the legs of Nick Hoagland on their first possession. Rookie Brandon Brenenstahl scored from one yard out to help the Lycans keep it close in the fourth quarter. Starting running back Logan Jack still has not found the end zone this season.
Friday night, the Tulsa Desperados (3-2) went to Atlanta and topped the Swarm (3-3), 33-28 and San Diego (3-2) once again found its footing on the road - topping Jacksonville (2-3), 26-13. Tulsa erased a 14-point deficit on the road (21-7 in the first quarter) just one week after Atlanta erased the same margin on the road in a 17-14 triumph against the Corsairs. Atlanta's halfback Jason Williams left the game with an injury as did Tulsa quarterback Michael Brown, but Brown later came back in to steer the Desperados to a win. San Diego pummeled Jacksonville's top ten rushing offense in its win, holding the Kings to just 61 total rushing yards. It was the Mavs third win in a row after an 0-2 start.