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Home field advantage: Wranglers to open playoffs in Allen after defeating 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 AEC.
A win there coupled with a Wichita loss would give the Wranglers home field advantage in Monday's postseason opener while an Allen loss Saturday or a win by the Wild would put the Wranglers on the road for their potential championship run.
The Wranglers can ignore the latter scenario after Saturday night as an 85-70 victory, fueled by five touchdown receptions from Luke McArdle, guaranteed Allen at least one more home game this season.
Saturday's win came after an impressive opening drive by New Mexico that ended in a 6-yard touchdown run from 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 in 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 the defense and special teams early.
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 went from bad to worse with another interception returned for a touchdown on the next possession -- this one coming from Allen's Travonti Johnson.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Johnson said.
The Wranglers were able to maintain the two-touchdown lead until halftime with more help from Linn on the following possession. The New Mexico quarterback committed his third turnover on a fumble that Allen recovered at the 2-yard line to eventually carry a 27-14 advantage into the locker room.
"My expectation for these guys is always high," Cairo said. "What you saw is what we prepared for."
Allen's final score of the opening half came on Ramonce Taylor's fourth kickoff return for touchdown in five games. Taylor sat out the final two quarters with a slightly sprained ankle that shouldn't keep him out of Monday's postseason opener.
New Mexico made a change at quarterback late in the first half and finished the game with Josh Floyd.
The Stars found more success with Floyd leading the offense as the dual-threat quarterback rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns while completing 9-of-14 passes for 189 yards and another score. However, Floyd was outplayed by Knighton, who finished with 143 yards passing and five touchdowns after completing 12-of-16 attempts. The newly-signed Knighton also ran for 52 yards and a touchdown.
"[New Mexico] did a good job of covering guys down the field," Knighton said. "That allowed me to find some space to run."
A bulk of Knighton's success through the air came courtesy of McArdle, who caught seven passes for 113 yards and five touchdowns.
"I prepare myself every week to do that," McArdle said.
The final Knighton-to-McArdle connection ended in a 19-yard touchdown with 44 seconds left to put Allen ahead, 85-64, and seal the game.
"[Knighton] has been putting the ball up for me and I love it," McArdle said. "I live for that moment."
The Stars added a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining to set the final at 85-70.
Meanwhile, a 72-41 Green Bay win over Wichita gave the Wranglers exactly what they needed, with a postseason opener at the AEC now scheduled against the Wild. That Intense Conference Semifinal is set for 7:05 p.m. Monday.
"We're hitting our stride right in time," Knighton said.
Solomon Jr., Fudge named All-IFL
After capping the IFL regular season with a victory, there were more accolades to go around for a pair of Wranglers this week.
Chiefly defensive back Frankie Solomon Jr. and running back Darius Fudge, who were both granted All-IFL honors.
Solomon, a first-team defensive selection, leads the Allen defense with 115 tackles, seven interceptions -- two of which were returned for touchdowns -- and two forced fumbles, one of which was returned for a score. Fudge was named to All-IFL second team offense after stringing together a regular season that featured 701 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.
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