With every team playing intradivisional rivalry games, this was a big week for teams to stake a claim to their division, all that plus the end of winless football in Arizona.
NJ 17 PHI 23—The Stars tightened their grip on the top spot in the Atlantic, holding off the Generals in a game that went to overtime. In a back and forth game the Generals went up 10-0 only to have Philly tie the game up at the half. In the third quarter, Bobby Scott hit Nathan Bruce for a 9 yard TD to give the Generals a 7 point lead, but a 1 yard Booker Russell run tied it back up for the Stars. Neither team could score again in regulation. In overtime both teams failed on their first drive, before the Stars ended the game on a Fusina pass to his favorite target, Scott Fitzkee to win the game and take a commanding 2 game lead in the division.
BOS 30 WSH 24—Washington’s losing streak stretched to 5 games as Boston was able to keep pace with New Jersey with a 6 point win in front of only 15,600 at RFK. Johnny Walton once again proved to be a timeless wonder, throwing for 265 yards and 2 scores to lead the Breakers to the win. Washington was game, and Kim McQuilken did not play poorly, throwing for 275 himself. At one point it looked like a good day for the Feds, as they took a 14 point lead early in the 3rd quarter, 24-10. But, as seems to be the trend for the Feds, they could not hold on. Boston scored 20 unanswered points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, including a 72 yard TD pass to Nolan Franz on a successful flea flicker, and an errant McQuilken throw which Joe Restic took all the way back for a score. The loss puts the Federals at 2-5, while Boston is again above .500 at 4-3.
TBY 21 CHI 16—The Bandits shrugged of their Week 6 loss and found a way to slog out a win at a rainy Soldier Field. Once again Chicago found itself settling for field goals (3 in the game) when they needed touchdowns. Tim Spencer had a particularly rough day, gaining only 32 yards on 18 carries, while his counterpart for the Bandits, Gary Anderson scampered for 133 on 15 carries. Pair that with 2 TD’s from wideout Eric Truvillion and Tampa was able to hang on for a win that propelled them to the top of the Central Division once again. For Chicago, the loss dropped them below .500 at 3-4 and placed them at the bottom of this tough division.
MGN 24 BIR 38—The run of strong play from the Birmingham Stallions continued in Week 7 as the homestanding Stallions delighted a crowd of over 42,000 in Legion Field. On a warm Sunday afternoon, it was the Stallions’ ground game that really heated things up. Quarles led the team with 104 yards rushing, while backup Earl Gant added 54 yards of his own. Add to that 3 TD tosses from Bobby Lane, and you get a 14 point win despite strong play from the Michigan receiving duo of Carter and Holloway, who had 297 yards receiving between the two of them (with Holloway accounting for all 3 Panther TDs). The win puts Birmingham at 6-1, even with Tampa, but with a win over the Bandits in hand. Michigan falls to 4-3, 2 games back.
OAK 40 DEN 17—Just when we think Oakland is in real trouble, after a loss to winless LA, they come out and dominate a solid Denver team. Both Arthur Whittington (135 yards rushing) and Fred Besana (250 yards passing) had good outings and the much-maligned Oakland D bent but did not break against the Gold. Ken Johnson was harassed all day, leading to two interceptions and two sacks. While Vic James caught both Denver TD’s he was also held to only 46 yards on 4 catches, far below his league leading average. The win is Oakland’s 2nd on the season, putting them back in the mix in the weakest of the league’s three divisions.
ARZ 41 LA 35—Funny what desperation will do. After two straight wins, LA looked to have turned a corner. Meanwhile Arizona, at 0-6 was a team with nothing to lose, and it showed on Sunday. The Wranglers, led by backup Dan Manucci due to an injury to starter Alan Risher, found balance on offense. They passed for 167 yards (and 3 scores) and rushed for another 122. And while Tom Ramse threw for 331 yards, he also threw 4 interceptions into a secondary that had not been scaring anyone. LA at times looked the stronger team, but 5 total turnovers did them in against a scrappy Wrangler team. So what’s next? Well, due to a scheduling quirk these two teams will meet again next week in the LA Coliseum, perhaps a chance for LA to show its worth and seek some revenge.
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