Post by chaserisman on Apr 26, 2024 20:35:15 GMT -8
Gunslingers 54, Fighters 52
4/26/24 --
FRISCO, TX - For the first time in Indoor Football League history, two teams on Interstate 35 faced off as the Frisco Fighters hosted the San Antonio Gunslingers on Friday night. The Fighters entered the game at 4-0 and were considered one of the top teams in the IFL. The Gunslingers came in at 1-3, having just beaten a Tucson Sugar Skulls team that had played four days earlier and was without its starting quarterback. This game was projected to be another win for the Fighters, who have been on the brink of playing in the IFL National Championship for the past two seasons.
To quote Chris Berman, "That's why they play the games."
Sam Castronova threw a touchdown pass to NyQwan Murray late in the fourth quarter, and RJ Rountree intercepted T.J. Edwards with 20 seconds remaining as the San Antonio Gunslingers pulled off a shocking upset of the Frisco Fighters 54-52 in the first installment of the IFL I-35 Rivalry.
The first half was a display of Indoor Football at its finest. On the first play of the game, T.J. Edwards found Cole Blackman, who made a diving catch over the wall to give the Fighters a First and Goal. They would convert one play later to take a 7-0 lead. The Gunslingers weren't deflated by the Fighters fast start and responded by tying the game on the ensuing drive as Sam Castronova found Nyqwan Murray for a touchdown. Edwards, the reigning IFL MVP, broke free on a Third and Goal from the five-yard line and ran it into the end zone to put the Fighters back up by seven on Frisco's next possession. San Antonio answered with a touchdown from D.J. Myers on their following possession, but Frisco's Caleb Thomas blocked the extra point to prevent the Gunslingers from tying the game at the end of the quarter.
The teams lit up the scoreboard to start the second frame as well, as T.J. Edwards scored on a pair of quarterback keepers, only to matched by D.J. Myers and Kali Rashaad making into the end zone respectively. However, things took a turn before halftime. On the extra point attempt following Rashaad's touchdown, defense made an appearance as T.C. Stevens' point-after try was blocked and returned by Royce See for two points. Despite the blow on that play, San Antonio overcame several penalties and was able to stop Frisco on an untimed down before halftime, in which the Gunslingers entered trailing 30-26; having played a solid half against one of the best teams in the league on said team's home field.
The offensive fireworks continued in the second half as San Antonio took the lead on its first possession of the second half thanks to Castronova finding Rashaad in the right corner of the end zone. The Fighters took it right back as Edwards ran along the right side for another rushing touchdown. The Gunslingers weren't to be outmatched as Castronova found Rashaad near the middle for another touchdown on the ensuing possession. Edwards fired back as he threw a deep pass to Devin McCoy, which he caught against the wall in the end zone to put the Fighters back in front going into the fourth quarter.
The Gunslingers took the lead early in the fourth as Castronova found Austin Upshaw, who took a quick pass into the end zone. It didn't take long for Edwards to respond as he found Devin McCoy on the first play of the next drive to put the Fighters back in front. San Antonio was unable to get into the end zone on their next possession and had to settle for a field goal attempt. T.C. Stevens missed from 41 yards away, giving the Fighters the ball back. San Antonio came up with a defensive stop, but faced a third-and-goal from the eleven yard-line with just over a minute remaining. Castronova threw a pass to the right corner of the end zone, which was caught by NyQwan Murray while going over the boards to give the Gunslingers a two point lead at the one-minute warning. Edwards had plenty of time to answer, but his deep pass intended for Cole Blackman was intercepted by S'Vante Davenport. From there, the Gunslingers ran out the clock to secure the win.
Not only did the Gunslingers hand the Fighters their first loss of the season, they ended Frisco's 15-game regular season home winning streak, which started during the 2022 season. San Antonio has endured its fair share of tough losses to start the season, but they have won two in a row and now have a win over one of the top teams in the league. A win like this could go a long way in giving the Gunslingers some momentum for a playoff run.
Castronova completed 25 of 33 throws for eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Murray hauled in seven passes for 65 and Meyers had nine grabs for 64 yards. Each caught to touchdowns. Rashaad finished with five catches for 44 yards and three scores. Tristen Vance's 4.5 tackles led the defense. For the Fighters, Edwards went eight for 16 for 142 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 49 yards and four scores. McCoy and Blackman each hauled in four passes for 81 and 61 yards, respectively. Koby Perry had a game-high 10 tackles to lead the Fighters' defense.
The Gunslingers accumulated 246 yards to 213 for the Fighters. They had edge of 222 to 142 in the passing game, while the Fighters had a 52-yard advantage in the running game. San Antonio was penalized nine times for 59 yards and Frisco was flagged four times for 22 yards. Aside from Frisco running out of time on offense at the end of the first half, neither team got a stop until the 5:53 mark of the fourth quarter and then the teams traded stops.
These teams will meet again next week in the second of three games between the teams this season. That game will be on May 4 at 4:05 p.m. at San Antonio. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
4/26/24 --
FRISCO, TX - For the first time in Indoor Football League history, two teams on Interstate 35 faced off as the Frisco Fighters hosted the San Antonio Gunslingers on Friday night. The Fighters entered the game at 4-0 and were considered one of the top teams in the IFL. The Gunslingers came in at 1-3, having just beaten a Tucson Sugar Skulls team that had played four days earlier and was without its starting quarterback. This game was projected to be another win for the Fighters, who have been on the brink of playing in the IFL National Championship for the past two seasons.
To quote Chris Berman, "That's why they play the games."
Sam Castronova threw a touchdown pass to NyQwan Murray late in the fourth quarter, and RJ Rountree intercepted T.J. Edwards with 20 seconds remaining as the San Antonio Gunslingers pulled off a shocking upset of the Frisco Fighters 54-52 in the first installment of the IFL I-35 Rivalry.
The first half was a display of Indoor Football at its finest. On the first play of the game, T.J. Edwards found Cole Blackman, who made a diving catch over the wall to give the Fighters a First and Goal. They would convert one play later to take a 7-0 lead. The Gunslingers weren't deflated by the Fighters fast start and responded by tying the game on the ensuing drive as Sam Castronova found Nyqwan Murray for a touchdown. Edwards, the reigning IFL MVP, broke free on a Third and Goal from the five-yard line and ran it into the end zone to put the Fighters back up by seven on Frisco's next possession. San Antonio answered with a touchdown from D.J. Myers on their following possession, but Frisco's Caleb Thomas blocked the extra point to prevent the Gunslingers from tying the game at the end of the quarter.
The teams lit up the scoreboard to start the second frame as well, as T.J. Edwards scored on a pair of quarterback keepers, only to matched by D.J. Myers and Kali Rashaad making into the end zone respectively. However, things took a turn before halftime. On the extra point attempt following Rashaad's touchdown, defense made an appearance as T.C. Stevens' point-after try was blocked and returned by Royce See for two points. Despite the blow on that play, San Antonio overcame several penalties and was able to stop Frisco on an untimed down before halftime, in which the Gunslingers entered trailing 30-26; having played a solid half against one of the best teams in the league on said team's home field.
The offensive fireworks continued in the second half as San Antonio took the lead on its first possession of the second half thanks to Castronova finding Rashaad in the right corner of the end zone. The Fighters took it right back as Edwards ran along the right side for another rushing touchdown. The Gunslingers weren't to be outmatched as Castronova found Rashaad near the middle for another touchdown on the ensuing possession. Edwards fired back as he threw a deep pass to Devin McCoy, which he caught against the wall in the end zone to put the Fighters back in front going into the fourth quarter.
The Gunslingers took the lead early in the fourth as Castronova found Austin Upshaw, who took a quick pass into the end zone. It didn't take long for Edwards to respond as he found Devin McCoy on the first play of the next drive to put the Fighters back in front. San Antonio was unable to get into the end zone on their next possession and had to settle for a field goal attempt. T.C. Stevens missed from 41 yards away, giving the Fighters the ball back. San Antonio came up with a defensive stop, but faced a third-and-goal from the eleven yard-line with just over a minute remaining. Castronova threw a pass to the right corner of the end zone, which was caught by NyQwan Murray while going over the boards to give the Gunslingers a two point lead at the one-minute warning. Edwards had plenty of time to answer, but his deep pass intended for Cole Blackman was intercepted by S'Vante Davenport. From there, the Gunslingers ran out the clock to secure the win.
Not only did the Gunslingers hand the Fighters their first loss of the season, they ended Frisco's 15-game regular season home winning streak, which started during the 2022 season. San Antonio has endured its fair share of tough losses to start the season, but they have won two in a row and now have a win over one of the top teams in the league. A win like this could go a long way in giving the Gunslingers some momentum for a playoff run.
Castronova completed 25 of 33 throws for eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Murray hauled in seven passes for 65 and Meyers had nine grabs for 64 yards. Each caught to touchdowns. Rashaad finished with five catches for 44 yards and three scores. Tristen Vance's 4.5 tackles led the defense. For the Fighters, Edwards went eight for 16 for 142 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 49 yards and four scores. McCoy and Blackman each hauled in four passes for 81 and 61 yards, respectively. Koby Perry had a game-high 10 tackles to lead the Fighters' defense.
The Gunslingers accumulated 246 yards to 213 for the Fighters. They had edge of 222 to 142 in the passing game, while the Fighters had a 52-yard advantage in the running game. San Antonio was penalized nine times for 59 yards and Frisco was flagged four times for 22 yards. Aside from Frisco running out of time on offense at the end of the first half, neither team got a stop until the 5:53 mark of the fourth quarter and then the teams traded stops.
These teams will meet again next week in the second of three games between the teams this season. That game will be on May 4 at 4:05 p.m. at San Antonio. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-CR
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