On a breezy, rainy night at Keller’s Central High School, the Fort Worth Avengers fought through rust and the weather to defeat the Texas Xtreme 31-17 in the first round of the Texas United Football League (TUFL) playoffs and advance to the second round.

Rain clouds were all around

The first half was a little sloppy as the Avengers hadn’t played in over a month due to two forfeit victories and the rain kept their receives in check. As a result, it was the Xtreme, from Athens, TX, who got on the board first. In spite of being in the backfield all night, Gartrelle Cooper was unable to corral the Xtreme quarterback Marcus Bowman on a 16 yard quarterback keeper giving the Xtreme a touchdown. The Xtreme benefited from a long pass on the play before when their receiver got behind the secondary and hauled the pass setting them up at the 16 yard line. The extra point was good and the score was 7-0 Xtreme.

The game started about 30 minutes late as both teams struggled with unusual conditions at the stadium. The turf at the field, which belonged to Keller Central High School, was brand new and installed just before the school’s recent spring football game. Therefore, the turf was extra loose leaving players will little traction. Another unusual condition was the lack of the scoreboard. According to Avengers coaches, a line that powers the scoreboard had been accidentally cut the day before. Therefore, the scoreboard was inoperable. The timekeeper hired by the Avengers had to keep the time on his a watch. The venue was also different than the usual venue for the Avengers which is Pennington Field in Bedford.

Following the Xtreme’s touchdown, Avenger quarterback Terry Barber and the offense went to work. On 3rd and 10, Barber found Alex Martinez across the middle picking up the first down and getting down to the Xtreme 30 yard line. About Martinez and Quinten McKinney, Avenger co-owner and coach Gary Fullenwider quoted Michael Irving saying, “Great players make great plays in big games.” And, a couple of plays later, Barber found a streaking McKinney down the left sideline running past the Xtreme secondary for a 35 yard touchdown. The Avengers hit the extra point, and the score was 7-7.

On the following Xtreme possession, it looked like the Avengers were going to return to mid-season form. Cornerback Jeffery Meeks picked off a 3rd down Xtreme pass giving the Avengers possession. Then, on 1st down, Barber found Martinez again for a 17 yard gain. However, a few moments later the Avengers were unable to convert the 4th down and the Xteme took over.

It was at this time that the rain and the wind came causing fans to seek shelter under the bleachers. Lightning was also present causing the game to be delayed for a few minutes. Neither team really gained any momentum, however, the Xtreme was able to pin the Avengers inside their own 5 yard line twice negating the punt returning ability of McKinney and leading to stalled drives.

Then, just before the end of the half, Avneger kicker Randy Lawrence hit a field goal giving the Avengers a lead of 10-7 at halftime.

When the second half resumed, fans saw most of the game’s action. On the opening kickoff, the Avengers returned the ball to the Xtreme 38 yard line. However, the drive stalled and the teams traded possessions a couple of times. With the fourth quarter just under way, the Avengers got a break. The Xtreme fumbled the ball on a right-side sweep and the Avengers recovered at the 13 yard line. On the first play after the fumble recovery, Barber found Martinez in the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown pass giving the Avengers a 17-7 lead.

Martinez ran a post-corner route. “I went out there and did my post-corner, they bit on that post, wide open, in the back of the end-zone,” he said after the game. “That right there is money in the bank every time.”

Martinez caught the second Avengers touchdown

Talking about he and Quinten McKinney, Martinez said, “Welcome to the Q and A show with our host [running back] Chuck Steward.” Martinez commented on how they complement each other. “ I bring out the first downs, along with our good group of running backs. . . so, that helps out, bring him [McKinney] open, and if they double-team him, I’ll be wide open.”

Barber said about Martinez, “. . . . he’s a great receiver, great hands. He ran the route correctly [on the touchdown] and he got rewarded for it.”

After Marinez’s touchdown catch, the game became exciting. The Xtreme benefited from a pass interference call getting in field goal range and hitting a field goal to make the score 17-10. Then, McKinney showed why he is one of the most exciting players in semi-pro football. On the ensuing kickoff, he took the ball and headed right, then he cut back to his left and shot through the middle like a cannon leaving defenders at his feet as he blasted through the middle of the field 90 yards for a touchdown.

“I took the energy on the field and scored,” McKinney said after the game about one of his coaches challenging him before the return. “They said I ain’t ran a kick off back for two years, so it was time to step up.”

The extra point made the score 24-10, and the Avengers thought they had some breathing room. However, the Xtreme wasn’t done. After an interception, the Xtreme converted a 4th and 9 when Bowman, as he did all night, kept the play alive and got the ball to receiver Nico Adams who was able to shake off a defender and get it to the end-zone. After the extra point, it was 24-17 Avengers.

Bowman is a former All District and All East Texas quarterback from Carthage, TX.  He is playing his first year of semi-pro football after playing for Trinity Valley Junior College.  Bowman finished the night 10-22 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception.  He also picked up 67 yards rushing in addition to the time he put in at safety and kick returner.  Adams, also from Carthage, played for Blinn Junior College and caught 3 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half for the Xtreme.  Overall, the Xtreme had 373 yards of total offense.

The Xtreme elected to kick the ball off rather than kick an onside kick, and everyone thought the Avengers would run out what was left on the clock. However, offensive coordinator Tim Smith had a different idea. With the ball at their 47, Barber took the snap and dropped back to pass, and then he dumped the ball off on a screen to Chuck “twelve pack” Steward who took the ball up the middle, and, with only his linemen to beat, he bolted to the end-zone setting the score.

On the final Xtreme drive, the Avenger defense came up with the plays to seal the game when David Constance got a big sack on a second down and Aaron Armour broke up a third down pass. The Xtreme was unable to convert on a 4th and 20, and the Avengers took over running out the clock.

The Avengers will move on the second round of the TUFL playoffs where they will host the Abilene Gladiators who beat the Dallas Chargers 55-21.

Fans can check out the photo gallery by clicking here.