Sea Dragons Earn Win Over Roughnecks
March 17, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Seattle Sea Dragons News Release
The Seattle Sea Dragons head back to Lumen Field for the second week in a row to take on the undefeated Houston Roughnecks for their Week 5 matchup. In the first quarter, FS Alijah Holder made a big defensive play for the Sea Dragons' special teams where he got a hand on the punt, giving Seattle great field position for their next offensive series. Shortly after, QB Ben DiNucci scrambled for a 20-yard touchdown run (his longest run of the season) to give the first points to the Sea Dragons, putting Seattle up 6-0 following the missed 3-point conversion.
Heading into the second quarter, the Sea Dragons' defense made another big defensive stand after CB Antoine Brooks strip sacked QB Brandon Silvers (his first sack of the season) and was recovered by DE Daniel Jones (the Sea Dragons first fumble recovery of the season). Soon after, SS Sean Davis from the Roughnecks intercepted DiNucci, giving the ball right back to the Roughnecks. A couple series later, DiNucci spotted WR Damion Willis in the end zone for a touchdown (his first touchdown reception of the season) to increase the lead to 15-0 after a successful 3-point conversion pass (Seattle's second successful 3-point conversion of the season) to WR Juwan Green.
As the game transitioned into the second half, the Sea Dragons' special teams kept the momentum going after ILB Tuzar Skipper blocked the punt, giving the ball back to Seattle on Houston's nine-yard line.
Following the turnover, DiNucci threw his second interception of the game to CB Ajene Harris.
In the final quarter, the Roughnecks defense was able to cause another turnover on the Sea Dragons' offense after RB Morgan Ellison fumbled and was recovered by DL Glen Logan. The Roughnecks capitalized off the turnover with a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Max Borghl, cutting the lead to 15-6 after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt. As the Sea Dragons looked to extend the lead from the Roughnecks, the Roughnecks forced the fourth turnover of the game for the Sea Dragons after DiNucci was intercepted for the third time by Harris (his second INT of the game). After forcing the interception, the Roughnecks looked to drive the ball down the field but fell short after the Sea Dragons forced the Roughnecks offense to turn the ball over on downs. The Sea Dragons took advantage of the turnover and gave the ball to RB Darius Bradwell to punch in a 3-yard touchdown run (his first TD of the season), giving a commanding 21-6 lead to Seattle after the failed 3-point conversion attempt. The Roughnecks looked to make a desperate comeback at the end after Silvers converted a 47-yard touchdown pass to WR Justin Smith, cutting the lead to 21-14 after a 2-point conversion pass attempt from QB Cole McDonald to WR Deontay Burnett. In order to receive the ball back again, the Roughnecks converted a 4th & 15 to keep their hopes alive and to keep the drive going. However, the Sea Dragons' defense prevailed after DE Niko Lalos intercepted Silvers, sealing the third victory in a row for the Seattle Sea Dragons.
The Seattle Sea Dragons will travel to Orlando, Florida on Saturday, March 25 to take on the Orlando Guardians in their Week 6 matchup.
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