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NAL San Antonio Gunslingers

Gunslingers Down Warbirds at Home 55-49

June 19, 2023 - National Arena League (NAL)
San Antonio Gunslingers News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX - The San Antonio Gunslingers hold on to win at home 55-49 over an inconsistent West Texas Warbirds squad struggling in their first season in the National Arena League. Each team gave up five possessions in the contest at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.

Pierre Turner started the scoring for San Antonio on their opening possession with an 11 yard touchdown run. The Gunslingers would go on to score four more times to lead 39-17 at the half. But San Antonio would fritter away that 22 point lead to find themselves trailing the Warbirds 49-47 late in the fourth quarter. Facing a fourth down on their own ten yard line, the Gunslingers needed a clutch conversion. Kali Rashaad answered the call, hauling in a 39-yard pass to the West Texas one yard line. Two plays later, Arvell Nelson ran for his second rushing touchdown to put the game away 55-49. Nelson finished completing 15 of 28 passes with three touchdowns, two fumbles, and two interceptions. Kali Rashaad caught two touchdowns and Phillip Barnett grabbed his 11th touchdown reception of the year. Kicker Drew Pearson finished with a perfect five for five performance on extra point conversions, and wowed the crowd at the Freeman with two more deuces to bring his season total to three.

Mitch Kidd, Jordon Gandy, and Trevon Shorts combined at quarterback to complete 16 of 26 passes with two touchdowns to one interception. West Texas receivers Donovan Rasberry and Jalen Childress each caught one touchdown. Trevon Shorts rushed for two more scores. Kicker Kevin Didio-Weber was a perfect six for six on extra point attempts and added two more deuces to bring his total to five for the season.

The win keeps San Antonio atop the league standings at 7-1 and will likely clinch a playoff berth with their next win over an opponent to be named by the league. The Gunslingers head coach Fred Shaw said of the result and his team, "Last year we didn't know how to finish games. This year we find ways. But come Monday, playtime is over for these guys. Our fans deserve better." For West Texas, the loss leaves them mired in sixth place at 2-7, above the recently exiled 1-7 Albany Empire. The Warbirds are currently scheduled to play the Fayetteville Mustangs next week in Fayetteville.

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