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AAF Alliance of American Football

Express Win First OT Game in Alliance History, Manziel Makes Debut and Hotshots Gain Sole Possession of 2nd in the West

March 25, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF) News Release


SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Week seven of The Alliance of American Football concluded with The Arizona Hotshots defending home field against The San Diego Fleet in a matchup with huge playoff implications, and The Memphis Express defeating The Birmingham Iron in the first overtime game in Alliance history.

"This weekend featured critical matchups with playoff implications, and that will be the case moving forward with just three games remaining this inaugural season," said Bill Polian, co-founder and head of football, The Alliance. "What's great about this league, however, is that no matter the record, everyone has something to play for. We're a league of opportunity, and all of our players have at least three more games to show what they can do out on the football field. That fight was on full display in tonight's game in Memphis."

In a battle for sole possession of second place in the West, The Arizona Hotshots defeated The San Diego Fleet 32-15. Hotshots QB John Wolford led the way, completing passes to eight Hotshots players and finishing with 212 yards passing and three total touchdowns. With the game tied 9-9 in the second quarter, The Hotshots went for it on 4th and 1 and Wolford connected with TE Thomas Duarte on a 26-yard touchdown. On their next possession, Wolford threw his second touchdown of the game, a 15-yard strike to WR Deion Hollimon for a 23-9 lead.

After a successful collegiate career at Wake Forest, earning second-team All-ACC honors his senior year, Wolford went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent and played significant time in the team's preseason finale. He was cut shortly after. Wolford was a second-round pick by The Hotshots in The Alliance quarterback draft, and now leads the league in touchdown throws with 13.

The Hotshots remained aggressive, looking to go up by three scores before the half after stopping The Fleet on fourth down. Wolford, however, was intercepted by Fleet WR/DB Freddie Martino, and QB Mike Bercovici threw a 38-yard pass to TE Marcus Baugh to cut the lead to 23-15 at the half.

The Fleet had their chances to get back into the game, but a failed 4th and goal from the one-yard line and a missed 49-yard field goal left the score unchanged well into the fourth quarter. A 35-yard touchdown run by Wolford with 6:08 remaining and an interception on the following possession by LB Steven Johnson sealed the game and catapulted The Hotshots into second place in the West with a week eight showdown versus the first-place San Antonio Commanders looming next week.

In the night game, Express QB Brandon Silvers orchestrated a comeback, overtime victory in his first career start, leading The Express to a 31-25 overtime win over The Iron. Express QB Johnny Manziel made his Alliance debut in the victory. In overtime, Silvers hit WR Daniel Williams on a 10-yard touchdown pass to end the game. He finished with 266 yards passing and two touchdowns.

QB Luis Perez led The Iron on an 11 play, 94-yard drive, connecting with TE Braedon Bowman on an 11-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. Bowman's first touchdown of the season put The Iron up 6-0, and RB Trent Richardson converted the two-point play for an 8-0 lead. The Express quickly responded, tying the game on the next possession following a one-yard touchdown run by RB Terrence Magee and successful two-point conversion. The Iron responded with a three-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped off by Richardson's league-leading 10th rushing touchdown.

Down 16-8 in the second quarter, Express QB Johnny Manziel made his Alliance debut, rushing for a 12-yard gain on his first play. Later on the drive, Manziel made his first completion, a 36-yard pass down the sideline to WR Alton Howard.

A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Express DB Terrell Bonds cut The Iron lead to 19-14 in the third. The Iron's Wes Saxton, Jr., the top receiving tight end in The Alliance, caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Perez to extend the lead to 25-14. An Express field goal brought them within eight.

Silvers got the ball back with a chance to tie the game, and quickly drove The Express into the red zone. He hit WR Reece Horn on a seven-yard touchdown pass, and then connected with TE Brandon Barnes on the two point conversion to tie the game and force the first overtime in Alliance history. Silvers' game-winning throw in OT dropped The Iron to 4-3, while The Express improved to 2-5.

The Birmingham Iron will look to get back on track and get one step closer to securing a playoff spot in week eight while The Commanders and The Hotshots face off in a matchup between the top two teams in the West.

Saturday, March 30 - Orlando @ Memphis 2pm B/R Live

Saturday, March 30- San Diego @ Salt Lake 8pm NFL Network

Sunday, March 31- Atlanta @ Birmingham 4pm CBS Sports Network

Sunday, March 24 - Arizona @ San Antonio 8pm NFL Network

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Alliance of American Football Stories from March 25, 2019


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