The Philadelphia Stars[4-3] defeat the Pittsburgh Maulers[2-5] 37-31. Next week, the Stars travel to play the Birmingham Stallions while the Maulers host the Houston Gamblers.
1st Quarter
On the opening drive, the Stars have their best drive in three weeks ending in a one-yard rushing touchdown by Matt Colburn II. The Maulers strike back with a Bailey Gaither jet sweep for a three-yard touchdown on their opening drive. Luis Aguilar kicks a 30-yard field goal for the Stars. Following the field goal, Josh Simmons returns the kickoff for an 88-yard return touchdown.
2nd Quarter
Stars kick a 45-yard field goal to start the second quarter. Stars Cornerback Stanford Samuels III catches a one-handed interception off of a tipped pass. Stars attempt a 40-yard field goal but the snap goes over the head of the holder and sets up the Maulers in Stars territory. Troy Williams finds Isiah Hennie for a 17-yard toe-tap touchdown at the left corner of the endzone. Cookus connect with Wide Receiver Samuel Akem for his first touchdown from 1-yard out. Maulers kick returner Josh Simmons makes an outstanding play on the kickoff by going out of bounds and then touching the ball which results in a kickoff out-of-bounds penalty. Some people may have seen this famously done by former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Randall Cobb in the NFL. Chris Blewitt kicks a 49-yard field goal at the end of the half. Maulers lead at halftime 24-20.
3rd Quarter
On the second-half kickoff, Josh Simmons fumbles and Amani Dennis recovers for the Stars. Case Cookus throws an interception to Safety Arnold Tarpley III following the Maulers turnover. Maulers miss a 54-yard field goal and, on the first play of the Stars Offensive drive, Case Cookus throws a 56-yard pass to Corey Coleman for a touchdown to take the lead.
4th Quarter
Case Cookus finds Devin Gray on an out route that turns into a 56-yard gain for the Stars. Matt Colburn II gets his second rushing touchdown of the game with a run from two yards out. A 58-yard Maulers field goal is called back due to a delay of game penalty which forces them to punt. Isiah Hennie returns a punt 70 yards to set the Maulers up at the one-yard line. A jet sweep to running back Garrett Groshek leads to a 1-yard Maulers touchdown to make it a one-possession game. On a 4th down alternative to keep the ball, Maulers Quarterback Troy Williams is sacked giving the Stars the ball in field goal range with just over two minutes left. Luis Aguilar adds a 38-yard field goal to make it a six-point game with 30 seconds left. The Maulers are unable to move the ball and the Stars win 37-31.
Great game for the Stars. The defense played well despite the 31 points. The offense had their best game of the season and so did Case Cookus. Somehow the Stars are in first place in the division and are sitting at 4-3. Let’s keep this momentum going into next week.
-Jordan Burden