Offense Finds Footing as Sea Dragons Stop Orlando
March 25, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Seattle Sea Dragons News Release
After playing two straight home games at Lumen Field the Seattle Sea Dragons traveled to Orlando, Florida to take on the winless Orlando Guardians in this Week 6 matchup. In the first quarter, PR Kelvin McKnight registered a 49-yard punt return, his longest return of the season. After McKnight secured great field position for the Sea Dragons offense, K Dominik Eberle knocked in a 37-yard field goal, giving Seattle an early 3-0 lead.
As the game transitioned into the second quarter, Guardians kicker Jose Borregales evened the score at 3-3 after a successful 26-yard field goal attempt. Shortly after, McKnight returned a kickoff for 45-yards, a season high KOR for the Sea Dragons. The drive resulted in another Eberle field goal, this time for 27-yards, securing a 6-3 Seattle lead. Guardians RB Devin Darrington scored the first touchdown of the game on the following drive, punching it in from the 3-yard line. Darrington followed it up with a successful 1-point conversion giving Orlando their first lead of the game (10-6). Eberle closed out the first half by banking a 54 yard field goal, his third of the game and the second longest in the entire XFL this season. The Guardians led 10-9 heading into halftime.
The Sea Dragons re-grouped during halftime and came out firing in the second half with DiNucci finding WR Blake Jackson in the back of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown reception. Leading XFL receiver, Jahcour Pearson, earned Seattle a 17-10 lead after pulling in a successful 2-point conversion. The Guardians offense answered with a 43-yard run by Devin Darrington that resulted in a touchdown to cut the score to 17-16.
Orlando's 1-point conversion proved unsuccessful thanks to a Niko Lalos interception.
The fourth quarter opened with a 27-yard Eberle field goal, his fourth of the game, which widened the Sea Dragons lead to 20-16. Soon after, Borregales matched the Sea Dragons with a 50-yard field goal, his season high. Late in the game, the Sea Dragons special teams unit came up big, FS Alijah Holder blocking Mac Brown's punt, placing the ball on the Guardians 6. The Sea Dragons capitalized on the turnover and expanded the score to 26-19 after DiNucci spotted WR Juwan Green in the endzone and completed a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Guardians looked to drive the ball down field on their next series but fell short after Darrington fumbled on a catch and run that was enforced by DS Antoine Brooks and recovered by CB Rojesterman Farris.
Orlando's defense took a final stand forcing the Sea Dragons to punt on their ensuing possession, but Seattle's defense turned on the pressure. In the final moments of the game, the Guardians turned the ball over on downs, continuing their winless season and giving the Sea Dragons their fourth victory in a row.
The Seattle Sea Dragons will travel to Arlington, Texas next Friday, March 31 to take on the Arlington Renegades.
POSTGAME NOTES
 The Seattle Sea Dragons are currently on a four-game winning streak after today's win since starting the season 0-2.
 This win for the Sea Dragons marks their first win at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL in franchise history.
 K Dominik Eberle knocked in a 54-yard field goal at the end of the first half, making that field goal his longest converted attempt of the season and the second longest field goal in the XFL behind San Antonio's Parker Romo who set an XFL, and Lumen Field record (57-yards), in the Brahmas' Week 4 game against the Sea Dragons.
 Eberle also converted three successful field goal attempts in the first half, a team season high for most field goals made in one half. Eberle finished the game with four successful field goal attempts, a new career high, and is now 9 for 10 on the season.
 PR Kelvin McKnight returned a punt for 49 yards in the first quarter. This is the longest punt return of the season for the Sea Dragons and a League high. McKnight ended the game with 71 punt return yards, the most punt return yards for the Sea Dragons this season.
 KR Kelvin McKnight recorded a 45-yard kick return in the second quarter which is the longest kick return of the season for the Sea Dragons and the second longest in the XFL this season. McKnight finished the game with 133 kick return yards, the most kick return yards for the Sea Dragons this season.
 QB Ben DiNucci entered today's game leading the XFL in passing yards and completions. He finished today's game 18 of 35 for 177 passing yards and two touchdowns. DiNucci also registered a 24-yard scramble, his longest of the season and Seattle's second longest rush overall.
 RB Darius Bradwell started his first game of the season for the Sea Dragons in place of Morgan Ellison. He led the team with 12 carries.
 WR Blake Jackson led the team in receptions (6) and yards (79) for the first time this season and moved into the top three in the XFL with 30 receptions on the season. He also registered his second TD pass of the season.
 WR Juwan Green caught his longest pass of the season for 24-yards. He finished the game with 5 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown, his second this season.
 WR Jahcour Pearson caught Seattle's first successful 2-point conversion pass of the season following DiNucci's third quarter TD to B. Jackson.
 FS Alijah Holder recorded a punt block in the fourth quarter, his second and Seattle's third of the season.
 DB Antoine Brooks forced his first fumble of the season late in the fourth quarter. This is the Seattle Sea Dragon's sixth forced fumble and their second fumble recovery of the season. Brooks also led the team in total tackles today with 10, his season's high.
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