Post by AZ Adrenaline Junkie on Jul 5, 2008 18:44:42 GMT -5
Cavalry closes out Adrenaline season
Special to the Courier
Friday, July 04, 2008
CASPER, Wyo. - The Arizona Adrenaline's inaugural season ended Friday night in Casper, as the Wyoming Cavalry put up 36 second-half points in coasting to a 51-26 win in the first round of the AIFA playoffs.
Arizona's season ends at 11-4. The Adrenaline trailed only 15-8 at halftime Friday night, and were still within 14 points early in the fourth period.
But the Adrenaline came up empty three different times on drives that ended inside the Wyoming 10-yard line. Couple that with several dropped passes, several penalties and injuries to receivers Maurice Bryant and Quincy Jackson in the second half and it was too much for Arizona to overcome.
"We were 11-3 (during the regular season) and I'm proud of our guys," Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore said. "I'm not taking anything away from Wyoming, but we just didn't play our best tonight."
The Adrenaline didn't lead the entire game, although it looked light they might early in the contest.
That's when Quincy Jackson caught a pass near the goal line and looked as if he got in. However, the ball was placed inside the 1-yard line setting up a fourth down situation. The Adrenaline came up empty on the drive and Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand hit A.J. Street three plays later to give the Cavalry an 8-0 lead.
The ultra-physical contest nearly got out of hand in the third period when both teams were exchanging penalties and flare-ups throughout.
The Adrenaline did pull within 21-14 on a one-yard Bryant touchdown catch with 5:25 left in the third quarter. However, Strand came right back and found B.J. Charlton on a 22-yard hookup late in the third period.
From that point it was all Wyoming as they put up three fourth-quarter touchdowns in improving to 12-3.
Wyoming will now advance to the Western Conference championship game July 18 against either Mississippi or Columbus. The game will be played in Casper.
"I want to thank our fans for the support this season. They were sensational all year," Moore said.
David Penland had eight catches through three periods. Chad DeGrenier and Quincy Jackson hooked up on three TD passes.
AIFA Playoff Schedule
Divisional Playoffs
Western Conference
Friday's Score - Wyoming 51, Adrenaline 26
Saturday's Game - Columbus (10-4) at Mississippi (13-1)
Eastern Conference
Thursday's Score - Reading 67, Erie 57
Monday's Game - Huntington (6-8) at Florence (10-4)
Special to the Courier
Friday, July 04, 2008
CASPER, Wyo. - The Arizona Adrenaline's inaugural season ended Friday night in Casper, as the Wyoming Cavalry put up 36 second-half points in coasting to a 51-26 win in the first round of the AIFA playoffs.
Arizona's season ends at 11-4. The Adrenaline trailed only 15-8 at halftime Friday night, and were still within 14 points early in the fourth period.
But the Adrenaline came up empty three different times on drives that ended inside the Wyoming 10-yard line. Couple that with several dropped passes, several penalties and injuries to receivers Maurice Bryant and Quincy Jackson in the second half and it was too much for Arizona to overcome.
"We were 11-3 (during the regular season) and I'm proud of our guys," Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore said. "I'm not taking anything away from Wyoming, but we just didn't play our best tonight."
The Adrenaline didn't lead the entire game, although it looked light they might early in the contest.
That's when Quincy Jackson caught a pass near the goal line and looked as if he got in. However, the ball was placed inside the 1-yard line setting up a fourth down situation. The Adrenaline came up empty on the drive and Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand hit A.J. Street three plays later to give the Cavalry an 8-0 lead.
The ultra-physical contest nearly got out of hand in the third period when both teams were exchanging penalties and flare-ups throughout.
The Adrenaline did pull within 21-14 on a one-yard Bryant touchdown catch with 5:25 left in the third quarter. However, Strand came right back and found B.J. Charlton on a 22-yard hookup late in the third period.
From that point it was all Wyoming as they put up three fourth-quarter touchdowns in improving to 12-3.
Wyoming will now advance to the Western Conference championship game July 18 against either Mississippi or Columbus. The game will be played in Casper.
"I want to thank our fans for the support this season. They were sensational all year," Moore said.
David Penland had eight catches through three periods. Chad DeGrenier and Quincy Jackson hooked up on three TD passes.
AIFA Playoff Schedule
Divisional Playoffs
Western Conference
Friday's Score - Wyoming 51, Adrenaline 26
Saturday's Game - Columbus (10-4) at Mississippi (13-1)
Eastern Conference
Thursday's Score - Reading 67, Erie 57
Monday's Game - Huntington (6-8) at Florence (10-4)