Apollos Stay On Top Of AAF Heading Into Salt Lake City

Feb 25, 2019, 2:00 PM

Salt Lake Stallions running back Joel Bouagnon (36) runs with the football while defender by Arizona Hotshots linebacker Steve Beauharnais (53) at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Silas Walker, Deseret News)

(Silas Walker, Deseret News)

BY KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Orlando Apollos are one of two teams remaining that have yet to suffer a loss. They remain on top of the Alliance of American Football Power Rankings.

The Birmingham Iron is the other team that is undefeated with a home game for Week 4.

Salt Lake picked up their first win of the season, while San Diego has won two straight after losing their season opener.

Here is the KSL Sports AAF Power Rankings from the third week of the season:

1. Orlando Apollos (3-0)

Result: Defeated Memphis Express 21-17 at home.

Recap: The Apollos jumped out to a 9-0 start in the first quarter. Neither team scored until the third quarter when the Express found the end zone to cut the lead to three. Orlando fired back with another touchdown to take a 15-9 lead entering the fourth quarter. Memphis outscored Orlando 11-6 in the final period but came up short.

Former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert led Orlando with 207 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Running back D’Ernest Johnson racked up 79 yards and one score. Wide receiver Rannell Hall collected 4 receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown.

We got some highlights! Your Apollos are victorious 21-17.

🏹#TakeAim | #MEMvsORL pic.twitter.com/aKnntQFfC0

— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 24, 2019

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: at Salt Lake Stallions (1-2), Saturday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.

2. Birmingham Iron (3-0)

Result: Defeated Atlanta Legends 28-12 on the road.

Recap: Atlanta started the game with a field goal before the Iron scored 9 points and had a 9-6 lead at halftime. Birmingham scored 19 unanswered in the second half to pick up the win.

Quarterback Luis Perez had 160 yards passing and 1 interception, while former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson had 46 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Linebacker Beniquez Brown had 12 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 pass deflection and a forced fumble.

👑: seized.#WeAreBirmingham #ForgeOn⚒🔥 pic.twitter.com/txhi3wce3T

— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron) February 24, 2019

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. San Antonio Commanders (1-2), Sunday at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

3. Arizona Hotshots (2-1)

Result: Lost to Salt Lake Stallions 23-15 on the road.

Recap: The Hotshots trailed 9-0 early before they tied the game before halftime. They lost their starting quarterback John Wolford in the second half and was outscored 14-6 in the second half.

Wolford threw for 127 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Former Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight had 95 passing yards when he took over for Wolford. Wide receiver Rashad Ross grabbed six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Not the result we wanted, but we're back at home next week (March 3) vs. @AafLegends #GoShots pic.twitter.com/13Ln4azW82

— Arizona Hotshots (@aafhotshots) February 23, 2019

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: vs. Atlanta Legends (0-3), Sunday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.

4. San Diego Fleet (2-1)

Result: Defeated San Antonio Commanders 31-11 at home.

Recap: The Fleet exploded for four unanswered touchdowns before the fourth quarter that allowed them to cruise to the win.

Former East Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson had 193 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Running back Ja’Quan Gardener racked up 122 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 carries. Former Colorado wide receiver Nelson Spruce hauled in 4 catches for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns.

San Diego runs away with the victory! ⚓️#SAvsSD | #JoinTheAlliance pic.twitter.com/oTrq2xDApY

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) February 25, 2019

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: at Memphis Express (0-3), Saturday at 2 p.m. on Bleacher Report Live.

5. Salt Lake Stallions (1-2)

Result: Defeated Arizona Hotshots 23-15 at home.

Recap: The Stallions relied on their defense to get their first win in team history as they held the Hotshots to 268 total yards. Arizona was averaging 400 yards per game entering the matchup in Utah. Salt Lake outscored Arizona 14-6 in the second half.

Former Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum had 178 yards through the air and one touchdown. Running back Joel Bouagnon posted 12 carries for 45 yards and 1 touchdown, while Branden Oliver added 40 rushing yards on 15 carries and a score.

FIRST HOME GAME IN STALLIONS HISTORY IS A DUB! 👏

This one’s for you, SLC. pic.twitter.com/CVBzQy4Q1W

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) February 23, 2019

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: vs. Orlando Apollos (3-0), Saturday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.

6. San Antonio Commanders (1-2)

Result: Lost to San Diego Fleet 31-11 on the road.

Recap: San Antonio started out with a touchdown but San Diego scored four unanswered touchdowns to take a 28-8 lead midway through the third quarter, ultimately cruising to the win.

Former Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside had 151 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Running back Trey Williams rushed for 75 yards on 7 carries. Wide receiver Mekale McKay had 91 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.

Final in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/C2I257rgWq

— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) February 25, 2019

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: at Birmingham Iron (3-0), Sunday at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

7. Memphis Express (0-3)

Result: Lost to Orlando Apollos 21-17 on the road.

Recap: A slow start costed the Express the game as they trailed 15-6 entering the fourth quarter. Memphis had 11 points in the fourth but allowed an Orlando touchdown.

Former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw for 88 yards and 2 interceptions. He was replaced by former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who threw for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Sherman Badie rushed for 59 yards.

Take a look at it again 👀 The first passing TD in Express history was a beauty from #MettShow to @D_Lucien15!

🎥 | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/XdrhGYFqBq

— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) February 25, 2019

Previous Ranking: 7

Next Up: vs. San Diego Fleet (2-1), Saturday at 2 p.m. on Bleacher Report Live.

8. Atlanta Legends (0-3)

Result: Lost San Diego Fleet 24-12 on the road.

Recap: Atlanta scored their only touchdown of the game with 1:48 left in the game. They had two field goals in the first half but couldn’t stop Trent Richardson on the goal line as he found the end zone three times.

Former Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms threw for 328 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions for Atlanta. Wide receiver Seantavius Jones posted 4 receptions for 72 yards.