Orlando Apollos Last Standing Team Without Loss In AAF
Mar 4, 2019, 1:44 PM | Updated: 1:46 pm
(Photo by Chris Gardner/AAF/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Orlando Apollos are the only team remaining in the Alliance of American Football and remain on top of the Power Rankings.
The Birmingham Iron lost their first game of the season, while the Atlanta Legends and the Memphis Express won their first game of the year.
Salt Lake picked narrowly lost at home to the red hot Apollos.
Here is the KSL Sports AAF Power Rankings from the fourth week of the season:
1. Orlando Apollos (4-0)
Result: Defeated Salt Lake Stallions 20-11 on the road.
Recap: In a snow storm in Salt Lake City, the Orlando Apollos started the game with a field goal. After the Stallions tied the game at 3, Orlando added 11 points to the scoreboard and had a 14-3 lead with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. Salt Lake pulled to within three in the final seconds of the third period, but the Apollos scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert led Orlando with 244 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Running back De’Veon Smith racked up 51 yards on 12 carries. Wide receiver Charles Johnson collected 9 receptions for 105 yards. Linebacker Reggie Northrup II and defensive back Josh Evans each had 10 tackles apiece on the defensive side of the ball to lead Orlando.
VICTORY 😎
Highlights 🎞️
🏹#TakeAim | #ORLvsSL pic.twitter.com/qcwMLJzM8q
— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) March 3, 2019
Previous Ranking: 1
Next Up: at Birmingham Iron (3-1), Saturday at 2 p.m. on TNT.
2. Birmingham Iron (3-1)
Result: Lost to San Antonio Commanders 12-11 at home.
Recap: Birmingham tied the game at three before halftime but couldn’t recover when San Antonio scored 9 unanswered points. They scored one touchdown in the final two minutes, but it wasn’t enough as the Iron lost their first game of the season.
Quarterback Luis Perez had 202 yards passing and 2 interceptions, while former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson had just 15 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, while hauling in 5 receptions for 37 yards.
Played hard. Kept it close.
We'll see you back here Saturday!#WeAreBirmingham #ForgeOn⚒️🔥 pic.twitter.com/F8aalpCeda
— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron) March 3, 2019
Previous Ranking: 2
Next Up: vs. Orlando Apollos (4-0), Saturday at 2 p.m. on TNT.
3. San Antonio Commanders (2-2)
Result: Defeated Birmingham Iron 12-11 on the road.
Recap: San Antonio had a 3-0 start before the Iron tied the game at halftime. The Commanders did their damage with a touchdown and a field goal late in the third and fourth quarters to lead 12-3 in the final four minutes. Birmingham added a touchdown, but they came up short on the scoreboard.
Former Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside had just 106 passing yards. Running back Trey Williams had their only touchdown to go with his four carries for 20 yards. Fellow tail back Kenneth Farrow II racked up 142 yards on the ground on 30 carries.
Winning feeling😍#TakeCommands⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Xs8prtDJMZ
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 4, 2019
Previous Ranking: 6
Next Up: at Arizona Hotshots (2-2), Sunday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.
4. Arizona Hotshots (2-2)
Result: Lost to Atlanta Legends 14-11 at home.
Recap: The Hotshots scored a field goal at the end of the first half as they trailed 8-3. Atlanta added another field goal early in the fourth before Arizona tied the game with 5:20 left in the game. The Legends nailed their game-winning field goal with 1:03 left in the game to pick up their first win and hand Arizona their second straight loss.
Quarterback John Wolford threw for 185 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Rashad Ross grabbed 4 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jhurell Pressley piled up 110 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Defensive back Erick Dargan had 11 tackles to lead the defense.
Weren't able to get it done tonight. Hope to get back on track next week. pic.twitter.com/O5Bdl70YFd
— Arizona Hotshots (@aafhotshots) March 4, 2019
Previous Ranking: 3
Next Up: vs. San Antonio Commanders (2-2), Sunday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.
5. San Diego Fleet (2-2)
Result: Lost to Memphis Express 26-23 on the road.
Recap: The Fleet had a commanding 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter before Memphis outscored San Diego 12-6 in the second quarter, the Fleet had a 20-15 halftime lead. San Diego scored a field goal early in the fourth quarter and that was it when the Express scored the next 11 points to pull off the comeback win.
Former East Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson had 110 yards passing and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Dontez Ford hauled in 71 yards receiving on just 3 catches for 1 touchdown. Linebacker Frank Ginda was all over the place as the racked up 15 tackles.
Final in Memphis. The #SDFleet fall to 2-2. #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/2qYAfwt2gU
— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet) March 2, 2019
Previous Ranking: 4
Next Up: vs. Salt Lake Stallions (1-3), Saturday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.
6. Salt Lake Stallions (1-3)
Result: Lost to Orlando Apollos 20-11 at home.
Recap: The Stallions scored a field goal in the second quarter to tie the game at three, but allowed 11 points to trail 14-3 midway through the third quarter. Salt Lake scored a touchdown with 27 seconds left in the third quarter to trail 14-11. Orlando pulled away with a touchdown early in the final period.
Former Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum had 161 yards through the air. Running back Joel Bouagnon posted 8 carries for 30 yards and 1 touchdown, while Branden Oliver added 71 rushing yards on 17 carries.
“He's one of my best friends and he got me this time. We'll see (about next time).” –@EricksonUtes.
📰| https://t.co/BT1ClBy5w8 pic.twitter.com/FEIBocak68
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 4, 2019
Previous Ranking: 5
Next Up: at San Diego Fleet (2-2), Saturday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network.
7. Memphis Express (1-3)
Result: Defeated San Diego Fleet 26-23 at home.
Recap: Memphis trailed 20-6 with 5 minutes left in the first half. They went to the locker room trailing 20-15. San Diego started the fourth quarter with a field goal before the Express won the game with a touchdown and a field goal. It’s their first win this season.
Former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw for 174 yards and 1 touchdown. Running back Zac Stacey rushed for 39 yards, while wide receiver Reece Horn collected 4 receptions for 63 yards. Linebacker Drew Jackson tallied 14 tackles, 1 sack and an interception.
Offensive Play of the Game: Down 8, @TerrenceMagee made a great catch on a lob by #MettShow for a huge fourth quarter TD.
🎥 | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/sXcUZL2lkQ
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 3, 2019
Previous Ranking: 7
Next Up: at Atlanta Legends (1-3), Sunday at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
8. Atlanta Legends (1-3)
Result: Defeated Arizona Hotshots 14-11 on the road.
Recap: Atlanta won the game with 1:03 left after they scored a field goal to break the tie. The Legends had the lead most of the game until the Hotshots tied the game with 5 minutes left. Atlanta picked up their first win of the season.
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray threw for 254 yards, he ran for another 54 yards on 7 carries. Wide receiver Seantavius Jones posted 4 receptions for 72 yards. Defensive back tandem Tyson Graham Jr. and Ed Reynolds Jr. each had over 10 tackles.
FIRST WIN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY👏
The Legends controlled the ball nearly 38 minutes to secure the W over the Hotshots #AllHailATL: https://t.co/3vHKucmh8K pic.twitter.com/FRkMIPQxDe
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) March 4, 2019
Previous Ranking: 8
Next Up: vs. Memphis Express (1-3), Sunday at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.