NEWS & NOTES (Week 1)
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Orlando Guardians 38
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Zehlendorf Zecken 6
The game was close through most of the 1st half as the score was 10-6 Orlando with under 5 minutes left to play in the 1st half before the Guardians scored another TD to take a 17-6 lead into halftime. The 2nd half was all Orlando as they scored 21 unanswered to win going away 38-6.
Orlando rushed for 198 yards including 117 by WR Manuel Crippen who is playing his 2nd season after being drafted in the 1st round last year.
CB James McGuire had 2 interceptions and DE Scott Farris had 6 sacks including a strip sack which he scooped and ran 23 yards for a TD for Orlando. Surprisingly, neither led the league in week 1 but Orlando looks poised and ready to defend their AXC South Division Title this season.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Orlando QB William Young pass to WR Michael Arline for 54 yard TD
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9924#1748992
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Gem City Gangsters 27
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Daytona Beach Bull Sharks 10
Gem City got out to an early 17-0 lead before Daytona finally scored right before the half to make the score 17-7 at halftime. Daytona managed to pull within 7, 17-10 early in the 4th quarter before the Gangsters iced the game with 10 points late to win 27-10.
Gem City broke all "family ties" in the off-season when they traded the league's 6th leading rusher WR Michael J. Fox to Buffalo for future draft picks. So we go "back to the future" and the Gangsters rushed for 237 yards as a team, led by WR Icabob Crane's 98 yards. WR John Madden and WR Noah Watson added 71 & 68 yards rushing so Gem City showed they could survive under the "Bright lights, Big City" even if they had to do it "the hard way".
PLAY OF THE GAME
WR Icabob Crane rushed for 14 yards and a TD to seal the win.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9925#1749186
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Carolina Cobra 9
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Saint Paul Punishers 20
Carolina dominated the 1st half statistically but had to settle for 3 fieldgoals including 2 drives which stalled.in the redzone as they took a 9-6 lead into halftime. Saint Paul would grab the lead on their first possession of the 2nd half 13-9 on a 43 TD pass from QB Stephen Gibson to WR Seth Hernandez. Carolina would attempt and miss a 60 yard fieldgoal try with 6:22 left.in the game before Saint Paul RB Terry Cowart broke away on a 41 yard TD run which clinched the victory.
Saint Paul DE Bo Johnson & Carolina DE Gregory Meredith each had 2 sacks in the game.
PLAY OF THE GAME
QB Stephen Gibson pass to WR Seth Hernandez for a 43 yard TD to take the lead for good in the 3rd quarter.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9926#1749291
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Kansas City Chaos 27
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Memphis Maniacs 45
Memphis had questions about its new offense entering the season but they were answered very quickly as the offense put up 3 TDs in the 1st quarter to get out to a 20-0 lead. Kansas City's defense would finally put the Chaos on the scoreboard when DE Joshua Whitlock strip sacked Memphis QB John Bennett and DE Adam Oglesby would scoop and score on a 44 yard run. Memphis would score another TD and add a safety before the half to take a 29-7 lead into halftime. The teams would exchange fieldgoals in the 3rd quarter before Memphis WR Frank Skinner returned a KO 102 yards to make the score 39-10 with 7:58 left in the 3rd quarter. Kansas City would respond with 17 unanswered points of its own in the 3rd quarter to trim the lead down to 39-27 with 1:15 left in the 3rd quarter. That's as close as the game got as Memphis tacked on 2 fieldgoals in the 4th quarter to win 45-27.
Memphis rookie WR Reinaldo Millet rushed for 156 yards to lead the league in week 1 and added 41 yards receiving. Memphis WR Bobby Covert had 106 yards receiving and Memphis CB Kevin Eastham had 2 interceptions.
Kansas City forced 5 fumbles in the game and recovered all 5 to win the turnover battle in a losing effort. DE Adam Oglesby had 2 sacks on the day plus he recovered a fumble and scored a TD.
PLAY OF THE GAME
WR Frank Skinner KO return of 102 yards for a TD.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9927#1749489
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Cincinnati Defenders 34
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Toronto Titans 10
Cincinnati started the game fast and poured it on in the 1st half to take a 23-3 lead into halftime. Toronto struggled most of the game to move the ball and managed just 1 drive over 31 yards all game. Cincinnati had 4 drives of at least 47 yards and 2 drives of at least 75 yards.
Cincinnati WR Julio Hamilton had 143 yards rushing for 2nd most in the league plus WR David Santos had 134 yards receiving on 7 receptions. CB Jonathan Snyder had 2 interceptions while CB Joseph Duffy led the team in tackles with 8.
Toronto QB Michael Keeler threw 3 picks while CB Sidney Hicks grabbed 2 picks for the Titans defense. DE Nicholas Andujar did get 4 sacks and had 4 tackles in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Cincinnati QB Gary Fielding pass to WR David Santos for 63 yards
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9928#1749636
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Texas Hold'em 0
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Pittsburgh Blitzkrieg 49
Pittsburgh entered the week 1 game concerned about injuries and how it would effect the team. They shouldn't have worried at they played a near flawless game winning 49-0 where they out gained Texas 548-81 in Total net yards.
Pittsburgh WR Carlos Scott rushed for 127 yards which was the 3rd most in week 1 and he added 74 yards receiving for a Total of 201 yards which was also 3rd most in week 1. QB John Turner was nearly perfect going 22 of 27 for 327 yards, 4 TD passes and 0 INTs. His QBR was a league high 156.71. WR Harold Wilson had 153 yards receiving which was 4th best in week 1 and he had 3 TD receptions which tied him for the most in week 1 with 2 other players. WLB Vernon Wilson paced the league with 3 interceptions in week 1 and DE Richard Johnson added 2 sacks for the Blitzkrieg.
Texas FS Irvin Huskey and FS Brad Carstens each had 14 tackles which was tied for 2nd most in week 1.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Pittsburgh QB John Turner pass to WR Harold Wilson for 70 yards and a TD to open up the scoring and was the eventual game winner.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9929#1749763
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Oakland Outlaws 3
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Indiana Fog 35
Two teams looking to take that next step forward this season and Indiana not only took that step but kicked Oakland backwards in the process. The scoring started slow but after a close 1st quarter, Indiana founds its groove the remainder of the game taking a 21-0 lead into halftime and putting the Outlaws away in the 2nd half with a 35-3 win.
Indiana WR Danny Melillo carried the offense on his back as he rushed for 120 yards on 21 carries. QB Johnathan Cantu was effective going 17 of 32 for 250 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT. WR Phillip Mandell had 127 yards receiving on just 4 catches and 3 TD receptions to tie for the league lead through 1 game. DE Mike Buchanan lead the defense with 4 sacks while the other DE Arturo Griffin added 2 sacks of his own.
Oakland SS Leroy Collins had 10 tackles to lead the team in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Indiana QB Johnathan Cantu pass to WR Phillip Mandell for a 67 yard TD.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9930#1750011
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New York Empire 9
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Buffalo Skull Crushers 36
Buffalo begins the road to reclaiming the East with a easy beat down of last year's East Title winner New York. Buffalo has an unconventional style of offense where they go for it on 4th down seemingly regardless of distance or location on the field. It can backfire on them but in week 1, despite going just 1 for 5 on 4th down, they still won easily 36-9.
Buffalo QB Matthew Whitney had a great day going 38 for 58 for 508 yards, 4 TD passes and just 1 interception. Newly acquired WR Michael J. Fox saw the "Light of Day" with 265 yards receiving on 11 receptions and 3 TD receptions to pace the league in all 3 categories.
New York CBs Carl Bowman & Zachary Osterberg led the team with 10 tackles each in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Buffalo QB Matthew Whitney pass to WR Michael J Fox for a 94 yard TD to cap the blowout late in the 4th quarter.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9931#1750277
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Brooklyn Hitmen 3
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Philadelphia Slayers 30
Brooklyn was everyone flavor of the month entering this season after being taken over by new ownership at the tail end of last season where they finished 6-1 down the stretch. Philadelphia didn't care and in the city of brotherly love, they brotherly shoved it down Brooklyn's throat for 4 quarters and lead 23-0 into the 4th quarter before the Hitmen finally scored a fieldgoal to avoid being shutout.
Philadelphia QB Steven Stiner went 28 of 53 for 265 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs and WR Jeremy Smith caught 6 ***** for just 58 yards but had 2 TD receptions. LB Charles Davis had 2 sacks and 4 tackles to lead tge defense.
Brooklyn QB Bruce Shadrick was pressured all game and went just 12 for 27 for only 59 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs. He was sacked 5 times and had to leave the game when he rolled his ankle during a sack. DB Marcus Rodriquez had 9 tackles and 1 sack to lead the defense in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Philadelphia QB Steven Stiner pass to rookie WR Bob Ostrander for 22 yards on 3rd & 7 lead to the first score early in the 1st quarter and set up an 8 for 19 conversion rate on 3rd down.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9932#1750294
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Los Angeles Challengers 6
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Vegas Black Aces 9
This was an early NXC West division game between 2 teams looking to take a positive step this season. It was a defensive battle where Vegas scored first going on a 14 play/80 yard drive in tge 1st quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Los Angeles would answer early in tge 2nd quarter with a fieldgoal and tye game went into halftime with Vegas leading 7-3. Vegas would get the ball to start the 2nd half and was forced to punt after a 5 play/20 yard drive. Los Angeles would get pinned in at their own 4 and on 2nd & 8 from their own 7 yard line, QB Tom Crawford was sacked in the endzone for a safety extending the Vegas lead to 9-3. In the 4th quarter, LA would connect on a 36 yard fieldgoal to cut the lead down to 9-6 with 12:27 left on the clock. Los Angeles would stop Vegas several times to get the ball back for their offense but their best chance to score ended on a 4th & 4 from the Vegas 49 with 5:09 remaining and LA elected to punt and play for field position. Vegas would be backed up at their own 8 yard line but they converted two 1st downs to flip the field and Los Angeles never crossed midfield on their final possession to lose 9-6.
Vegas RB Stuart Cooper ran the ball 21 times for 88 yards while QB James Johnson went just 16 of 29 for 120 yards and 1 INT. WR Matthew Schupp had 10 receptions for 72 yards to lead the team. CB Efren Martinez lead the defense with 12 tackles while DT Chad Carter had 2 sacks and 3 tackles.
Los Angeles QB Tom Carter went 21 for 29 for 197 yards but he was sacked 5 times which stalled drives and led to a safety. WR John Sheller had 5 receptions for 111 yards and rookie CB Ronald Miller lead the defense with 10 tackles in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Vegas QB Tom Crawford was sacked by DT Chad Carter in the endzone for a safety.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9933#1750563
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Seattle Barbarians 0
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Phoenix Predators 23
This game was never in doubt as Seattle managed just 66 yard of total offense in the 1st half and Phoenix had 88 yards of offense on its first drive of the game. The score went into halftime with Phoenix up 13-0 and the game ended with the Predators shutting out the Barbarians 23-0.
Phoenix WR Son Johnson rushed the ball 25 times for 118 yards and QB Taylor Rojas went 26 for 39 for 346 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. WR Stephen Powell had 10 receptions for 161 yards and 1 TD to lead all receivers. CB Anthony Mansfield led the defense with 9 tackles while DE Michael Whaley had 3 sacks.
Seattle QB Daniel Stroud went 21 of 35 for 145 yards and 1 INT. WR Anthony Crawford had 8 receptions for 82 yards to lead the offense. CBs Don Hamilton & Lloyd Sanderson had 11 tackles each for the defense in a losing effort.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Phoenix QB Taylor Rojas pass to WR Stephen Powell for 80 yards and a TD to open up the scoring on the teams first possession.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9934#1750653
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Providence Islanders 34
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Washington Warriors 13
This early division game was close in the 1st half as Providence took a slight 14-13 lead into halftime. The score remained close through 3 quarters as Providence took a 20-13 lead into the 4th quarter before 2 TDs sealed the victory and made the score lopsided.
Providence WR Scott Turner rushed the ball 19 times for 105 yards while QB William Powers was 23 of 41 for 272 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs. Rookie WR Richard Hoffman had just 3 receptions but for 93 yards and 1 TD to lead the team in receiving. DE Chadwick Turner dominated the game defensively with 7 sacks and 7 tackles. The 7 sacks in a game is 1 shy of the record of 8 sacks which has been reached 3 times (2033/2041/2044) by DE Charles Schneider (BRO), DE William Strong (DAK) & DE Lupe Armstrong (SEA).
Washington QB Gary Villicana went just 16 of 43 for 163 yards and 2 INTs while being sacked 8 times. CB Carlos Smith had 2 interceptions, DE Raymond Livingston had 2 sacks and rookie LB Nicholas Knight lead the defense with 14 tackles which was tied for 2nd most in week 1.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Providence QB William Powers pass to WR Richard Hoffman for 71 yards and a TD to give the Islanders the lead which they would never relinquish.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9935#1750835
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Miami Nemesis 10
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New England Crusaders 18
Another division game which was close for most of the game. Miami struck first after a NE QB Reynaldo Cook interception lead to a short field and Miami scored a TD. The teams would exchange fieldgoals and Miami took a 10-3 lead into halftime. The 3rd quarter saw Miami fumble the ball away 3 times but New England settled for fieldgoals twice to make the score 10-9 Miami entering the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter, the turnovers by Miami became too much as they lost 5 fumbles and threw 1 interception and New England finally found paydirt and the lead 15-10. New England would tack on another fieldgoal to make the final 18-10.
PLAY OF THE GAME
New England QB Reynaldo Cook pass to WR Robert Vargas for a 38 yard game winning TD.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9936#1751126
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Vancouver Vandals 23
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Tampa Bay Fireballs 20
This was a non-conference game that featured the defending AXC Conference Champion versus a Tampa Bay team still trying to make a name for themselves. Nobody other then those involved put much attention on this game but it turned out to be possibly the game of the week.
The 1st half was kind of a feeling out process where both teams had the ball 9 times for a combined 18 possessions and featured 8 combined punts, 4 combined interceptions, a turnover on downs, 3 fieldgoals, 1 TD and the end of the half. Tampa Bay took a 10-6 lead into halftime. The 2nd half started with the 2 teams exchanging punts before Vancouver added another fieldgoal to make the score 10-9 Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay would respond with a TD to extend their lead to 17-9 before Vancouver finally found the endzone to cut the lead to 17-15 but they failed to convert the 2 point conversion. After thr teams exchanged punts again, Tampa Bay drove down to the Vancouver 4 yard line but a sack then 2 incompletions forced them to kick a short fieldgoal and take a 20-15 lead with just 1:51 left in the game. Vancouver went on an 8 play drive highlighted by a QB Keith Garcia 43 yard pass to WR Julius Hedin which moved the ball down to the Tampa Bay 19 yard line with 0:45 remaining. 3 plays later, QB Keith Garcia connected with TE John Castle for an 11 TD with 0:06 left on the clock. Vancouver converted the 2 point conversion and won 23-20.
Vancouver QB Keith Garcia went 34 of 54 for 380 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs while WRs Evan Edge and Julius Hedin had 104 & 102 yards receiving respectively. DBs Andrew Hall & Chad Meaux had 8 tackles each and DE Tyler Hickman had 2 sacks to lead the defense.
Tampa Bay QB Douglas Brock went 25 of 49 for 250 yards, 1 TD And 1 INT while WR George Williams had 93 yards receiving to lead the team. CB Garrett Holt lead the defense with 9 tackles and a interception while LB Michael Gonzalez had 2 sacks and the defense had 3 picks by 3 different players.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Vancouver QB Keith Garcia 43 yard pass to WR Julius Hedin to set up the game winning TD with 45 seconds remaining.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9937#1751356
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Atlanta Dominators 10
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Montana Grizzlies 12
Atlanta is the 8× defending XFL Champions and they have won so much that the XFL put them on the road in week 1. Montana doesn't have anywhere near the tradition of winning of Atlanta but then again no team does.
This game was a good old fashion defensive battle which started with 13 straight punts before Montana ended the 1st half with a 47 fieldgoal attempt which went wide left and the game went into halftime tied 0-0. Montana got the ball to start the 2nd half and again was forced to punt before Atlanta finally put together an 8 play/71 yard TD drive to open the scoring and take a 7-0 lead. The teams exchanged punts again before Montana finally scored on a 42 yard fieldgoal to trim the lead down to 7-3 with 4:50 left in the 3rd quarter. Atlanta would go 3 and out and punt it back to Montana who put together an 8 play/71 yard TD drive of their own but they missed the extra point giving Montana a 9-7 lead with 14:27 left in the game. Atlanta would grind put an 11 play/59 yard drive which consumed 6:57 off the clock before they settled on a 33 yard fieldgoal to take a 10-9 lead with 7:25 remaining. Montana went 3 and out and punted the ball back to Atlanta who put together a 6 play/40 yard drive which ended with a fumble and Montana took over with 3:54 on the clock. Montana went 5 plays and was forced to punt yet again with just 2:15 on the clock. On 3rd & 2 from Atlanta's 23 yard line and 1:55 on the clock, QB Alan Wyatt was picked off which set Montana up at the Atlanta 37 yard line. Montana ran the ball 3 times and kicked a 47 yard fieldgoal to take a 12-10 lead with 1:36 on the clock. Atlanta started from their own 30 and on the very first play QB Alan Wyatt was picked off again to seal the win for the Grizzlies.
Montana QB Larry Scruggs went 17 of 32 for 193 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs and WR Ty Smith had 4 receptions for 100 yards and a TD. LB William Ward led the defense with 16 tackles and a forced fumble. The 16 tackles led the league in week 1. DE Travis Daughtry had 2 sacks and 4 tackles.
Atlanta QB Alan Wyatt went 19 of 37 for 194 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs. WR Tyler Cruz had 11 receptions for 137 yards and 1 TD. DE Kevin Tefft had 2 sacks and 3 tackles in his first game as he transitions from LB to DE.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Montana QB Larry Scruggs pass to WR Ty Smith for 46 yards and a TD.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9938#1751497
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Houston Rougnecks 37
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Dakota Blizzard 19
Houston jumped out to a 20-3 lead in the 1st half and took a 23-10 lead into halftime. Houston added 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter and won the game 37-19 and the score doesn't show how the game was never close.
Houston QB Joseph Eady went 24 of 35 for 354 yards and 3 TDs. WR George Wilson had 5 receptions for 178 yards to lead the team in receiving. DEs Alan Edwards & Matthew Zamora had 2 sacks each.
Dakota QB Robert Alvarez went 21 of 52 for 295 yards and 2 TDs. WR Sterling Drake had 4 receptions for 117 yards and a TD. CB Vick Dominoe lead the defense with 14 tackles.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Dakota QB Robert Alvarez pass to WR Joshua Davis for 6 yards then he fumbles and its a scoop and score.
https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/9939#1751610
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