Blackjacks Secure First Win in Franchise History
May 4, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Atlantic City Blackjacks News Release
ATLANTIC CITY- Atlantic City welcomed their new team with open arms on Saturday afternoon. The start of the game was not something the Blackjacks hoped for; the kickoff bounced off the upright which resulted in a scramble to recover the fumble. The Destroyers were able to recover it and now had possession at the Blackjacks' 10-yard line. The Destroyers took advantage of the unfortunate mistake and quarterback Grant Russell threw a 5-yard pass to Paul Revis for the first score of the game. The extra point was missed by kicker Craig Peterson.
The Blackjacks responded quickly with a nice drive capped off by the red-hot LaMark Brown running the ball in for a 2-yard score. The teams then went on to trade touchdowns the rest of the first half. The Blackjacks had all rushing touchdowns in the first half with three, one from Brown, Hippeard and Grant. At halftime, the Blackjacks led 21-20.
The defense came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half. Monte Lewis had himself a tremendous day. On second-and-10 he recorded the first sack in franchise history, which backed up the Destroyers 11 yards. The next play, quarterback Grant Russell felt the pressure again and was forced to throw an incomplete pass. On fourth-and-21, Monte Lewis again sacked quarterback Grant Russel. The Blackjacks would take over on downs at the Destroyers 9-yard line. Hippeard would find fullback Wes Mauia for a 2-yard passing touchdown, his first of the year.
The Blackjacks never looked back after that drive, Hippeard would connect with Brown once more for a 10-yard touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter. The Blackjacks led 35-27 at that point. The following drive for the Destroyers was over quickly, defensive end Lynden Trail found himself with the pigskin in his stomach and rumbled his way into the Destroyers end zone with a pick-six, extending the lead for the Blackjacks to 42-27. Columbus would try to climb back into the game when Grant Russell found Fabian Guerra on a 2-yard pass, his third receiving touchdown on the day.
With under a minute to play, the Destroyers tried an onside kick, after the ball skipped around for a bit, Brown dove on top and secured the first win in Blackjacks history with a final score of 42-35. The Blackjacks will travel to Washing D.C. to take on the Valor on May 11th at 7:00PM.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 4, 2019
- Nelson Scores Four Touchdowns as Valor Fall, 36-27, in Albany - Washington Valor
- Empire Settles Unfinished Business against Valor - Albany Empire
- Blackjacks Secure First Win in Franchise History - Atlantic City Blackjacks
- Destroyers Fall Just Short in Atlantic City, 42-35 - Columbus Destroyers
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