Post by alecs on May 26, 2024 18:09:56 GMT -8
Fighters 44, Strike Force 41
5/26/24 --
SAN DIEGO, CA - Week 11 of the 2024 IFL Season concluded at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, with the Strike Force hosting the Frisco Fighters in a high-profile, non-conference game. The two playoff hopefuls gave the fans in attendance a great show, particularly with a wild fourth quarter that saw many sudden twists and turns. The game's outcome came down to a field goal at the end to force overtime, but San Diego could not send the ball through the uprights, allowing Frisco to leave the launch pad with a gritty 44-41 win.
Frisco began the game with the football, and took that drive in for the game's opening touchdown with a one-yard keeper by Tripp Harrington. The offense of San Diego did not get to share that success, as a fourth down pass from Nate Davis sailed beyond the reach of Rudy Johnson, awarding the ball back to the Fighters. The second drive for Frisco ended in the same way as their first, with Harrington scrambling for a four-yard rushing score. The Fighters defense continued to hound Davis on the next possession, with an endzone-bound pass on fourth down unable to connect with Jordan Kress. The Fighters took back possession, ending the quarter working a clean sheet and leading the Strike Force 14 to nil.
The Fighters bled over six minutes of clock with its opening second quarter possession, but had to settle for a 19-yard field goal by Bryce Crawford to open the lead up to 17 points. After nearly 20 minutes of play, the Strike Force recorded their first points, with Xavier Amey catching an 11-yard touchdown pass on a slant route from Davis. San Diego's defense would again shine, forcing a field goal attempt on Frisco's next possession, and Crawford connected from 38 yards to make it a 13-point lead. The teams would then quickly trade turnovers, with a Harrington pass interception by Elijah Belle followed immediately by a Nate Davis interception by Ethan Casselberry. Inside the one-minute warning, Davis would find Kress on an eight-yard touchdown pass, which cut the Frisco lead down to six points. With 14 seconds to go, Harrington would complete the rushing touchdown hat trick with an 11-yard read-option keep, restoring the lead to 13 points. San Diego did have a chance at a quick score to end the half, but Kress fumbled a reception, which was picked up by Kentrelle Pierce to end the half. With 30 minutes played, the Fighters led 27-13.
The Strike Force began the second half on the right foot, with a one-yard pass from Davis to Arthur Jackson III, fresh off his three-game league suspension. The home defense would add to that momentum swing with a solid stand, leading to Crawford pulling a 32-yard field goal attempt wide to the left. Frisco got a big play from its defensive unit a few minutes later, forcing an errant pass from Davis that was intercepted by Lionell McConnell. Frisco would take the ball over as the third quarter ended, trying to take a 27-20 lead through the final 15 minutes for victory.
The Fighters drove into Strike Force territory, but only as far as the eight-yard line. They brought on Crawford once more, who knocked through a 23-yard field goal attempt to increase the lead to ten points. San Diego punched back immediately, courtesy of a 56-yard kickoff return touchdown. Frisco would find a response touchdown a few plays later, with Harrington tossing a 14-yard gem to Cole Blackman. With six minutes to go, San Diego got back within three on a one-yard pitch out to Rudy Johnson. And the Strike Force put themselves in contention with a fourth-down takeaway, with Tariq Thompson intercepting a Harrington pass in the endzone to give the home side a shot at a potential game-winning drive. Rudy Johnson's second rushing score of the quarter (two yards) put the Strike Force ahead for the first time all game. The four-point lead did not last long, as on the ensuing kickoff, McConnell took back his own 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Fighters a 44-41 lead with just eight seconds to go. San Diego got the ball back and in position for a potential tying field goal, but Aedan Johnson's 30-yard attempt pushed wide right as time expired, preserving the win for the Fighters.
Larry Harrington started his third consecutive game for the Fighters, completing 11 of 20 passes for 110 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. His 15 carries for 63 yards and three touchdowns paced all Fighters in rushing as well. Martez Carter rushed ten times for 43 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards. Devon McCoy led the team with five catches for 40 yards. Kentrelle Pierce led Frisco's defense with 9.5 tackles and recovered a fumble, Ethan Caselberry brought in an interception, and Lionell McConnell had an interception and a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Nate Davis completed 21 of 36 passes for 202 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Rudy Johnson ran the rock eight times for 23 yards and a pair of scores. Elijah Lilly led San Diego in receiving yards on five catches for 62 yards, and three different receivers each had touchdowns, with Jordan Kress (6/40/1), Arthur Jackson III (3/31/1), and Xavier Amey (4/31/1) all finding pay dirt. Justic'e King was the team leader with nine tackles, while Ja'quan Artis had the game's lone QB sack. Two players logged interceptions for the Strike Force, Elijah Belle and Tariq Thompson.
Frisco slightly outgained the hosts 236 to 221. The Fighters won the turnover battle, with just two giveaways compared to San Diego's three. Frisco was found guilty of ten penalties for 61 yards, while the Strike Force were flagged five times for 28 yards.
This was just the second meeting all-time between Frisco and San Diego, with the Fighters' 70-56 win in 2023 the only other installment in the series. This is the only meeting between the teams this season.
The Fighters (7-2) will host the Massachusetts Pirates (6-3) next week on Saturday June 1, while the Strike Force (5-4) will visit the Tulsa Oilers (3-6). Each game is scheduled for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. 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.
5/26/24 --
SAN DIEGO, CA - Week 11 of the 2024 IFL Season concluded at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, with the Strike Force hosting the Frisco Fighters in a high-profile, non-conference game. The two playoff hopefuls gave the fans in attendance a great show, particularly with a wild fourth quarter that saw many sudden twists and turns. The game's outcome came down to a field goal at the end to force overtime, but San Diego could not send the ball through the uprights, allowing Frisco to leave the launch pad with a gritty 44-41 win.
Frisco began the game with the football, and took that drive in for the game's opening touchdown with a one-yard keeper by Tripp Harrington. The offense of San Diego did not get to share that success, as a fourth down pass from Nate Davis sailed beyond the reach of Rudy Johnson, awarding the ball back to the Fighters. The second drive for Frisco ended in the same way as their first, with Harrington scrambling for a four-yard rushing score. The Fighters defense continued to hound Davis on the next possession, with an endzone-bound pass on fourth down unable to connect with Jordan Kress. The Fighters took back possession, ending the quarter working a clean sheet and leading the Strike Force 14 to nil.
The Fighters bled over six minutes of clock with its opening second quarter possession, but had to settle for a 19-yard field goal by Bryce Crawford to open the lead up to 17 points. After nearly 20 minutes of play, the Strike Force recorded their first points, with Xavier Amey catching an 11-yard touchdown pass on a slant route from Davis. San Diego's defense would again shine, forcing a field goal attempt on Frisco's next possession, and Crawford connected from 38 yards to make it a 13-point lead. The teams would then quickly trade turnovers, with a Harrington pass interception by Elijah Belle followed immediately by a Nate Davis interception by Ethan Casselberry. Inside the one-minute warning, Davis would find Kress on an eight-yard touchdown pass, which cut the Frisco lead down to six points. With 14 seconds to go, Harrington would complete the rushing touchdown hat trick with an 11-yard read-option keep, restoring the lead to 13 points. San Diego did have a chance at a quick score to end the half, but Kress fumbled a reception, which was picked up by Kentrelle Pierce to end the half. With 30 minutes played, the Fighters led 27-13.
The Strike Force began the second half on the right foot, with a one-yard pass from Davis to Arthur Jackson III, fresh off his three-game league suspension. The home defense would add to that momentum swing with a solid stand, leading to Crawford pulling a 32-yard field goal attempt wide to the left. Frisco got a big play from its defensive unit a few minutes later, forcing an errant pass from Davis that was intercepted by Lionell McConnell. Frisco would take the ball over as the third quarter ended, trying to take a 27-20 lead through the final 15 minutes for victory.
The Fighters drove into Strike Force territory, but only as far as the eight-yard line. They brought on Crawford once more, who knocked through a 23-yard field goal attempt to increase the lead to ten points. San Diego punched back immediately, courtesy of a 56-yard kickoff return touchdown. Frisco would find a response touchdown a few plays later, with Harrington tossing a 14-yard gem to Cole Blackman. With six minutes to go, San Diego got back within three on a one-yard pitch out to Rudy Johnson. And the Strike Force put themselves in contention with a fourth-down takeaway, with Tariq Thompson intercepting a Harrington pass in the endzone to give the home side a shot at a potential game-winning drive. Rudy Johnson's second rushing score of the quarter (two yards) put the Strike Force ahead for the first time all game. The four-point lead did not last long, as on the ensuing kickoff, McConnell took back his own 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Fighters a 44-41 lead with just eight seconds to go. San Diego got the ball back and in position for a potential tying field goal, but Aedan Johnson's 30-yard attempt pushed wide right as time expired, preserving the win for the Fighters.
Larry Harrington started his third consecutive game for the Fighters, completing 11 of 20 passes for 110 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. His 15 carries for 63 yards and three touchdowns paced all Fighters in rushing as well. Martez Carter rushed ten times for 43 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards. Devon McCoy led the team with five catches for 40 yards. Kentrelle Pierce led Frisco's defense with 9.5 tackles and recovered a fumble, Ethan Caselberry brought in an interception, and Lionell McConnell had an interception and a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Nate Davis completed 21 of 36 passes for 202 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Rudy Johnson ran the rock eight times for 23 yards and a pair of scores. Elijah Lilly led San Diego in receiving yards on five catches for 62 yards, and three different receivers each had touchdowns, with Jordan Kress (6/40/1), Arthur Jackson III (3/31/1), and Xavier Amey (4/31/1) all finding pay dirt. Justic'e King was the team leader with nine tackles, while Ja'quan Artis had the game's lone QB sack. Two players logged interceptions for the Strike Force, Elijah Belle and Tariq Thompson.
Frisco slightly outgained the hosts 236 to 221. The Fighters won the turnover battle, with just two giveaways compared to San Diego's three. Frisco was found guilty of ten penalties for 61 yards, while the Strike Force were flagged five times for 28 yards.
This was just the second meeting all-time between Frisco and San Diego, with the Fighters' 70-56 win in 2023 the only other installment in the series. This is the only meeting between the teams this season.
The Fighters (7-2) will host the Massachusetts Pirates (6-3) next week on Saturday June 1, while the Strike Force (5-4) will visit the Tulsa Oilers (3-6). Each game is scheduled for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. 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.
-AS
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