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Home field advantage: Wranglers open playoffs in Allen after defeat of Stars
BY CHRIS O'DELL, codell@starlocalnews.com
ALLEN -- Although the Wranglers had already clinched a postseason berth prior to Saturday night's game against the New Mexico Stars, Allen had plenty riding on its regular season finale at the Allen Event Center.
A win coupled with a Wichita loss gave the Wranglers home field advantage in their postseason opener on June 25 while a loss or a win by the Wild put Allen on the road for its potential championship run.
An 85-70 victory, fueld by five touchdown receptions from receiver Luke McArdle, guarenteed Allen at least one more home game this season.
The win came after an impressive opening drive by New Mexico that ended in a 6-yard touchdown run by Dontrell Moore to put the Stars ahead 7-0.
However, Allen quarterback David Knighton didn't take long to respond in his first home game with the Wranglers.
The former Colorado Ice gunslinger threw a 30-yard touchdown strike to McArdle on Allen's first offensive play from scrimmage to even the score with 11 minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
The pass was one of five touchdown tosses from Knighton, who also added an 8-yard scoring run during the second quarter.
"It feels great," Knighton said. "This was the first game at home for me and I just wanted to come out strong."
Knighton and the Allen offense got help from their defense and special teams in the early going.
Following McArdle's 30-yard touchdown reception, Allen cornerback Jovan Jackson picked off New Mexico quarterback Roger Linn for a touchdown to give Allen the 14-7 lead.
Linn's night then went from bad to worse with another interception returned for a touchdown on the next possession -- this one coming from Allen's Travonti Johnson.
"My expectation for these guys is always high," Cairo said. "What you saw is what we prepared for."
The Wranglers maintained the two-touchdown lead until halftime, carrying a 27-14 advantage into the locker room.
The Stars would never get within a touchdown for the remainder of the game, as Allen held on for its third straight victory.
Meanwhile, a 72-41 Green Bay win over Wichita gave the Wranglers exactly what they needed, as a June 25 postseason opener at the Allen Event Center now scheduled.
"We're hitting stride right in time," Knighton said.
Specifics of Allen's first-round playoff game were not known as of press time.
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