Wranglers snub the Force, 42-26
April 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release
Austin, TX â Even on an Easter Sunday, football still must be on people's minds. With more than 8,000 rowdy Wrangler fans at hand, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny, the Wranglers came out victorious with a 42-26 victory. In a defensive battle between two usually offensive minded ball-clubs, Austin moved to 6-3 on the season and proved to be a team to reckon with in the National Southern division of the AFL.
On the Wranglers opening possession QB John Kaleo seemed to be finding his rhythm after his first few passes were completed to WR/LB Darryl Hammond and WR/DB Charlie Davidson. Once Austin hit serious scoring position, Kaleo and his target were on a different page as he threw an errant pass that was intercepted by Force DS Kevin Gaines.
After turning over the ball, the Wrangler defense made up for Kaleo's mistake by forcing a turnover themselves. On third and goal, Georgia QB Leon Murray avoided the rush and then was blindsided jarring the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by Hammond and Austin regained possession.
However, Austin could not capitalize off the turnover. The drive fell stagnant after Kaleo completed a pass to former Dallas Cowboy and WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini on fourth and ten. The next fourth down attempt did not go as well as the first, as Kaleo missed his target and turned the ball back over on downs to the Force. In what seems like a rare occurrence in the AFL, the games opening quarter was scoreless.
The defensive struggle continued as Georgia's next possession stalled. On a short third and one, WR/DB Nick Ward was stuffed by Wrangler OL/DL Tom Briggs for a yard loss. On fourth and two, Murray overthrew his intended target, handing the ball back over to the Wranglers.
Finally, after a quarter and change of zeroes on the board, FB/LB Dane Krager ran a draw and looked as if he would score easily. Instead, he fumbled at the goal line and a scrum followed to see whether it would result in a touchdown or a touchback. To the Erwin Center's delight, the Wranglers OL/DL Jamarr Ward had fallen on the loose ball, giving Austin a 7-0 advantage with 9:21 left in the second quarter.
Georgia's next drive was aided by a couple of Wrangler penalties. The losses took a toll and Murray ran a quarterback draw into the endzone from 4 yards out. The PAT was blocked by Ward. Austin held the minimal lead with just over six minutes left in the half.
The Wrangler offense started to look as if it shook some of the rust off. Kaleo got hammered for an eight yard loss by OL/DL Williams Carr. Kaleo brushed his shoulders off and made a great throw on the run to Chiaverini for 33 yard touchdown completion.
The Force came storming right back. Murray threw his first touchdown of the day on a bizarre play where WR/DB Morris Anderson appeared to be out of bounds as he hauled it in. He jogged into the end zone and the games score was cut to 14-13 Wranglers with 1:47 left until halftime.
Kaleo would not let the scoring cease. Austin's second quarter scoring barrage was capped off when he found OS Tacoma Fontaine for the score. With just 20 seconds left, Austin pushed the margin back to eight, making it 21-13.
Georgia received to open the second half. On their second play from scrimmage, Murray found his intended receiver who then fumbled, turning the ball over once again to the Wranglers.
The next drive was not led by Kaleo's arm but rather FB/LB Dane Krager's legs. On a toss to the strong side, Krager rumbled his way up the sideline. After a wide receiver screen to Chiaverini, Krager scooted up the middle on a draw play where he scampered in 11 yards untouched. He took a seat atop the padding in the end zone with his arms crossed, drawing an ovation from the crowd as their Wranglers stretched the lead to 28-13.
Austin's defense tightened up as Briggs batted down two balls and OL/DL Ramon Richardson and Dane Krager each got good hits on the quarterback. Murray rallied the Force and led Georgia to another touchdown to keep it close. On a third and one, Murray threw a two hand chest pass to WR/LB Morris Anderson for the wide open score. Georgia once again trimmed the lead down to 28-20.
On Austin's first play after receiving the kick, Kaleo dropped back in his own end zone and got lit up. The ball came free and Georgia FB/LB Jermaine Younger pounced on the loose pigskin. The PAT clanged off the left upright, making it 28-26 Wranglers with 1:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Kaleo found all his horses on their next possession. He threw a pass to WR/DB Aleric Clark, drawing a pass interference call. Then Kaleo connected with WR/LB Brandon Daniels and Fontaine. Kaleo found Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game Chiaverini in the back of the end zone on a fourth and two to give the Wranglers a nine point advantage with a quarter to play.
Briggs continued to shine, staking his claim to defensive player of the game honors after garnering getting to Leon Murray for a third time. Without moving the ball, Force QB/K Chris Hixson attempted a field goal that missed wide left.
Starting from their own five only allowed for more yards for Kaleo who reached a milestone. After throwing for 247 yards and four touchdowns, Kaleo eclipsed the 2,500 yard passing mark on the season. After striking Fontaine on a slant route, the Wranglers grinded their way down the field to the opposition's goal line. On three straight plays, Krager was stuffed by the Georgia defense. On fourth and one, Kaleo ran a play action pass and found a wide open Davidson for the touchdown.
Georgia's final possession was much like the rest of their game. The offense had trouble containing Austin's front four. The defense stood tall for Austin on this Easter Sunday as they sent the Force back home packing. The Wranglers travel to Tampa for a date with the Storm next Sunday, a team they beat earlier this year. Georgia travels to Orlando to take on the Predators.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2004
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