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Florida Tarpons

Tarpons Earn First Win over Austin 50-30

May 6, 2018 - American Arena League (AAL)
Florida Tarpons News Release


Florida Tarpons quarterback Chris Wallace gets off a pass against Austin Wild pressure
Florida Tarpons quarterback Chris Wallace gets off a pass against Austin Wild pressure
(Florida Tarpons, Credit: Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)

LAKELAND - John Banks caught three touchdown passes, and George Jenkins graduate Reggie Ellis contributed his second spectacular touchdown catch in as many weeks as the Florida Tarpons tamed the Austin Wild, 50-30, for their first win of the 2018 season Sunday afternoon at the RP Funding Center.

Banks opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game on a nine-yard pass from Chris Wallace, and in the fourth quarter added TD grabs of 11 and eight yards.

Keith Deveaux had touchdown receptions of 8 and 27 yards, both in the second quarter. Ellis' grab was on a 32-yarder midway through the first quarter as he crashed head-over-heels over the end boards just as he and the ball arrived at the back of the endzone at the same moment.

Lineman Raquelle Burnett added the other Tarpons score, which extended Florida's 28-14 halftime lead.

On the unsual play, Burnett missed making the initial catch, but the ball bounced off the top of the boards and back into the endzone, meaning the ball was still in play since it hadn't hit the turf, where Burnett caught it on his second try.

Florida improved to 1-3 on the season, while Austin, who got three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Eric Tennison, fell to 3-2. The Tarpons will host the Peach State Cougars next Saturday in Lakeland, with kickoff at 7 p.m.




Images from this story

Florida Tarpons receiver Reggie Ellis makes a catch against the boards
Florida Tarpons receiver Reggie Ellis makes a catch against the boards
(Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)		 Florida Tarpons bull through the Austin Wild defense
Florida Tarpons bull through the Austin Wild defense
(Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)		 Florida Tarpons defensive lineman Dasmine Cathey makes a tackle against the Austin Wild
Florida Tarpons defensive lineman Dasmine Cathey makes a tackle against the Austin Wild
(Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)
Florida Tarpons receiver Keith DeVeaux II makes a contested catch vs. the Austin Wild
Florida Tarpons receiver Keith DeVeaux II makes a contested catch vs. the Austin Wild
(Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)		 Florida Tarpons quarterback Chris Wallace gets off a pass against Austin Wild pressure
Florida Tarpons quarterback Chris Wallace gets off a pass against Austin Wild pressure
(Christopher Arnold / Florida Tarpons)		  

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