Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Second-half smoke: Wranglers rally past Nebraska to clinch playoff spot
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
After dropping four of five games, the Allen Wranglers were able to enjoy a much-needed sigh of relief Saturday night.
Albeit not without some resistance from the Nebraska Danger, whose surging start was overwhelmed by Allen's 45-point second half in a 71-62 road victory that locked up a playoff spot for the Wranglers.
"I was very proud of the team," said Dixie Wooten, Allen offensive coordinator and co-interim head coach. "With the trials and tribulations we've been through as of late, for them to come back and fight in the second half was very big for us."
Credit some halftime adjustments and increasing comfort under center for debuting quarterback David Knighton -- formerly of the Colorado Ice and the Wranglers' fifth different starting quarterback this season.
"At first, our game plan was to run the ball and help protect [Knighton], who was playing in his first game with us," Wooten said. "As we saw him getting more comfortable, we spread things out a bit more with our 3-by-1 package and made that adjustment, and he ended up throwing five touchdowns in the second half."
After balancing two touchdowns with two interceptions in the first half, Knighton settled in over the final two quarters to complete 9-of-10 passes for 183 yards and five touchdowns, finishing the game with 243 yards on 15-of-23 passing with seven scores.
"[Knighton] brings dedication, hard work and a great understanding of the game," Wooten said. "Just the other day while watching film with him, you could see he was in the pocket and took a shot but still delivered the ball on point. Something like that is huge for us."
Trailing at the break, 38-26, the Wranglers needed just four plays to put Nebraska on its heels, with Knighton finding Ramonce Taylor for a 15-yard touchdown catch to bring Allen within 38-32.
The Danger countered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Daniel Libre to extend their lead, but the momentum was short-lived, as evidenced by three unanswered Allen scores.
Knighton spread the love, completing a 29-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Avery and a 27-yard connection to Luke McArdle to draw the teams even at 45-45 late in the third. A fumble recovery by Travonti Johnson set the Wranglers up in enemy territory for a go-ahead strike, with Taylor bagging a 23-yard touchdown grab for a 51-45 lead to cap a third quarter won by Allen, 25-7.
Taylor wasn't done, ripping off his third kickoff touchdown in as many weeks -- this one of the 50-yard variety -- to counter a Nebraska field goal for a 58-48 Wranglers lead.
Stepping into a more prominent role on offense in the wake of Terrell Owens' release, Taylor found himself on the receiving end of one more Knighton touchdown -- hauling in a 44-yard catch to bring his total to seven receptions for 116 yards and four touchdowns.
"I think [Taylor] might be our best player," Wooten said. "He does so much for us, between what he does on special teams, and he finally got a chance to play receiver this week and you see how that worked out."
The Danger mustered one last push with quarterback Jameel Sewell finding Chris Bell for a 4-yard score to pull Nebraska within 64-62 with 3:27 left in the fourth. Allen responded with a seven-play, 45-yard drive highlighted by 25 rushing yards from Darius Fudge, who capped the drive with a 1-yard score to clinch the 71-62 victory and postseason spot.
The victory snapped a shaky stretch that saw the Wranglers fall from 5-1 to 6-5. The tumult only ratcheted up over the past week, following Owens' release.
"We're all grown ups and understand that it's a business, but we hate losing T.O. because he brought a lot to our team," Wooten said. "I think the guys rallied behind the organization and coaching staff, and just kept preparing and didn't let it all be a distraction to us."
Savoring the win won't last long with Allen next traveling to meet the Everett Raptors today at 7:05 p.m. It'll mark the rubber match between the two, with Everett eking out a 74-73 overtime decision on May 19.
"We're not taking this team lightly like we did last time," Wooten said. "We're treating this one like it's a playoff game because, for us, that's what it is right now."
T.O.-Wranglers fallout continues
The Wranglers cut ties with their most prized acquisition last Tuesday, releasing Owens, who was also the team's co-owner.
Mere days after the receiver's dismissal, a report has surfaced unveiling potential details in the wake of Owens' release.
TMZ reports that once Owens had been released, he was notified by the team he had to return the keys to the 2012 Jeep Cherokee they provided him as well as an eviction notice to the house they gave him. In addition, the report said Owens received the payout for his ownership stake in the team in the form of a $50 check.
Owens, who was dismissed after refusing to play in the team's two-game road trip and no-showing a scheduled appearance at a local children's hospital, is reportedly considering a lawsuit against the Wranglers for wrongful termination.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Allen «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
