CONQUERING THE A.F.F.A.

CRUSADERS SWAT SWARM, CAPTURE CUP!

(15-6) Sacramento- 38   (14-7) Carolina- 20

West Point, New York;  Ryan Nassib connected with Javone Lawson for three touchdown passes, as the Sacramento Crusaders captured the inaugural A.S.F.L championship and the Patriot Cup with a 38-20 victory over the Carolina Swarm Sunday night.

Nassib completed 16 of 25 passes for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns with 2 interception. Nassib was named the game MVP.

Kaderius Lacey ran 25 times for 76 yards. Jerodis Williams and KA'Deem Carey each ran for a score. Javone Lawson had 3 catches for 44 yards, all three touchdowns. TJ Houshmanzadeh, playing in his last ASFL game, caught 5 passes for 59 yards. Randy Moss also playing in his last AFFA  game, caught only 2 passes for 18 yards.

"This was fun. I didn't get the touches I would have liked, but we accomplished what we set out to do. These are a great bunch of guys and I wish them and this league lots of luck. I think this league has a good foundation for success." said Moss following the game.

Carolina quarterback Jimmy Clausen who was named league MVP just prior to the game, threw for 206 yards and 1 touchdown with 3 interceptions. He completed 21 of 37 passes.

" Well, they threw out a bunch of different looks that put us off our game in the second half. You just have to adjust and we failed to do so.You can't make mistakes against a good team like we did and expect to win." said Clausen.

Tyler Gaffney had 65 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Chris Williams had 7 catches for 64 yards and a score. Michael Campanaro had 7 receptions for 62 yards in the loss for the Swarm.

Carolina led 20-17 after three quarters of play after Tyler Gaffney lunged over the top from 1 yard out, completing a 11 play 80 yard drive. Sacramento took the lead with 11:40 remaining as KA'Deem Carey darted in from 7 yards out completing a 9 play 66 yard drive that took 4:43 off the clock.

Sacramento extended their lead to 31-20 as Nassib hit Javone Lawson for his third touchdown of the night with 4:53 remaining. Jerodis Williams finished out the scoring with a 5 yard touchdown run with just under a minute to play after Carolina turned the ball over on downs.

A crowd of 32,522 attended the contest and were treated to a 45 minuet long fireworks show. Singer Billy Joel performed at halftime.

2015 Associated Football Franchises of America

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION

(14-6) SACRAMENTO CRUSADERS

                        VS

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION

(14-6) CAROLINA SWARM

DATE: AUGUST 16 2015

TIME:  6:30 PM (E.S.T)

PLACE: MICHIE STADIUM

WEST POINT, NEW YORK

MEDIA: ESPN 2, ESPN 3

TICKETS: $17 ( ADULT)  $6.50 (CHILD)

CHILDREN UNDER 12 ADMITTED FREE.

TROPHY: THE PATRIOTS CUP

Clausen Named Offensive Player of the Year!

CLAUSEN A.S.F.L. OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!

The A.S.F.L. announced earlier today that Carolina Swarm quarterback Jimmy Clausen has been named A.S.F.L. Offensive Player of the Year.

Clausen finished the regular season with a 68.0 completion percentage, completing 338 of 497 passes for 4224 yards and 28 touchdowns , with 8 interceptions. He was sacked 13 times. He had a 106.2 passer rating.

Clausen led the Swarm to a 12-6 record and Atlantic Division championship. Sunday August 16th he will lead the Eastern Conference Champion Swarm against the Sacramento Crusaders in the inaugural A.S.F.L. Championship Game.

Friday afternoon Clausen's teammate Alterraun Verner was named Defensive Player of the Year. Verner recorded 65 tackles, 1 sack, 7 deflections, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Verner also had 5 interceptions to lead the team.

TAGGART NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR!

Coach of the year announced:

Portland Dragons head coach Willie Taggart was named A.S.F.L. coach of the year earlier today in a league wide announcement.

Taggart led the Dragons to a 13-5 record and the Pacific Division championship.

" This is an honor and I am grateful to the A.S.F.L and a special group of men who worked hard this past season. I am also grateful to the great fans we have in the Portland and surrounding area. The season didn't end like we would have liked, but it is a great stepping stone to build on for next year. I see good things in the future for this team and we will work hard to bring a professional football championship to the state of Oregon."  Taggart said in a news conference outside the Dragon football headquarters.

SACRAMENTO KINGS OF THE WEST! DOMINATE SHREVEPORT

(14-6) SACRAMENTO- 38   (11-8-1) SHREVEPORT-13

Shreveport, LA;   Sacramento exploded to a 28-3 halftime lead and their number one defense did the rest, as the Crusaders manhandled the Shreveport Pirates 38-13 to win the Western Conference title Sunday night.

Sacramento will face the Carolina Swarm in the A.S.F.L. Championship game in New York next Sunday. Carolina defeated Columbus 24-21 for the Eastern Conference title.

Ryan Nassib threw for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception and sacked once. He was later named game MVP.

Kadarious Lacey had 23 carries for 114 yards. Danny Coal had 2 touchdown receptions and KA'Deem Carey had 2 touchdown runs in the win. Sam Shields recorded a 29 yard interception return for a touchdown for the Crusaders who move to 14-6 on the season.

Shreveport was led by quarterback Darian Durant who threw for 199 yards. He was sacked 3 times and had 2 interceptions. Cobi Hamilton caught 8 passes for 99 yards, while Brandon Banks was held to only 2 catches for 13 yards. Antonio Andrews ran 12 times for 55 yards, and had a late fourth quarter touchdown run.

The Pirates were held to only 88 yards rushing compared to 168 for Sacramento. The Pirates finish the season at 11-8-1.

CAROLINA STINGS COLUMBUS! WINS EASTERN CONFERENCE TITLE.

(14-6) Carolina- 24    (11-9) Columbus- 21

Raliegh, N.C;   Jimmy Clausen tossed a first quarter touchdown pass to Chris Williams that helped spur the Carolina Swarm to a 24-21 victory over the Columbus Explorers, to claim the Eastern Conference Championship and a spot in the inaugural A.S.F.L. Championship game next Sunday in New York.

Clausen completed 22 of 40 passes for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 2 interceptions and was sacked once. Chris Williams caught 9 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. Williams was named game MVP.  Tyler Gaffney ran 18 times for 105 yards and a score. Dallas Clark also had a touchdown reception in the game for the Swarm.

Bo Levi Mitchell tossed 2 fourth quarter touchdown passes as the Explorers surged back from a 24-6 deficit in a comeback that fell just short. Mitchell completed 23 of 45 passes for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns, getting sacked twice.

Adrian N. Peterson had 18 carries for 70 yards. Reggie Williams caught 7 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. Mark Clayton had a touchdown reception, catching 4 passes for 43 yards for the Explorers who finish 11-9.

" One more to go! I am so proud of these guys. They have worked their tails off from training camp till now and it is paying off! One more to go!" said Carolina head coach Butch Jones.

Attendance for the game was announced at 32,822

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR SUNDAY!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Columbus Explorers at Carolina Swarm

Place: Carter-Finley Stadium
Raliegh, North Carolina

Time:  1:00 pm

Television: ESPN 2

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sacramento Crusaders at Shreveport Pirates

Place: Duck Commander Field @ Independence Stadium
Bossier City/ Shreveport, Louisiana.

Television: USA Network

Time: 7:15 pm

SUNDAYS PLAYOFF RESULTS

(13-6) CAROLINA- 31   (11-8) BALTIMORE- 20

RALEIGH, N.C:  Jimmy Clausen threw for two touchdowns in leading the Carolina Swarm (13-6) to a 31-20 victory over the Baltimore Bombers (11-8) and securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship game next weekend.

Clausen completed 25 of 28 passes for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked once. Tyler Gaffney ran 18 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. Jerome Messum had a touchdown run , while amassing 33 yards on 6 carries. Chris Williams caught 10 passes for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win for Carolina.

Baltimore was led by quarterback Keith Wenning, who threw for 384 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions and sacked once. Wenning completed 18 of 32 passes. Nik Lewis had 5 receptions for 168 yards and Chris Matthews had 3 catches for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rajion Neal ran 20 times for 73 yards in the contest.

Carolina will face Columbus next week for the Eastern Conference title in Raleigh.


(12-6-1) SHREVEPORT- 34   (11-8) HOUSTON- 31

Shreveport, LA:  Darian Durant connected with Brandon Banks on a 19 yard touchdown strike with just under two minutes to play, lifting the Shreveport Pirates to a hard fought 34-31 victory over the Houston Gamblers Saturday night at Duck Commander Field in Shreveport.

Durant completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. Antonio Andrews ran for two touchdowns while rushing for 52 yards on 14 carries. Brandon Banks had 5 receptions for 62 yards and a score. Cobi Hamilton caught 9 passes for 119 yards. Jon Morgan recorded a 21 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the win for the Pirates who will entertain Sacramento in the Western Conference championship game.

Graham Harrell led the Houston attack, completing 23 of 34 passes for 238 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interception. Shawn Alston ran for 3 scores while rushing for 53 yards on 10 carries. Kevin Smith led all rushers with 114 yards on 24 carries. Dezmon Brisco had 9 receptions for 117 yards. Blake Jackson had a touchdown reception in the loss for the Gamblers.

Attendance: 17,444

SATURDAY'S PLAYOFF RESULTS

(12-7) COLUMBUS- 21   (11-7-1) NEW YORK- 7

West Point, NY:  Bo Levi Mitchell threw two first half touchdowns in leading the Columbus Explorers to a 21-7 playoff victory over the New York Phantoms before 28,211 at Mitchie Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Mitchell completed 16 of 26 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns with one sack. Adrian N. Peterson ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Reggie Williams caught 5 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. David Paulson had 4 receptions for 44 yards and a score for the Explorers who advance to the Eastern Conference Championship next weekend.

Case Keenum led the Phantoms completing 26 of 43 passes for 266 yards with 1 interception and was sacked twice. LeRon Council had 11 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. Josh Hill caught 8 passes for 84 yards in the loss for New York who finish 11-7-1 on the season.

The Phantoms got on the board first as LeRon Council ran in from 6 yards out, finishing a 13 play 87 yard drive with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter.

Columbus answered with 1:58 remaining in the first quarter as Adrian N. Peterson pushed in from one yard out to even the score at 7-7.

Columbus took the lead early in the second quarter as Bo Levi Mitchell hit Reggie Williams for a 22 yard touchdown strike. Columbus extended their lead to 21-7 as Mitchell connected with David Paulson on a 11 yard strike with 7:37 remaining in the first half to finish the scoring as neither team was able to score in the second half. Columbus moves to 12-7 and will face the winner of the Carolina-Baltimore game for the Eastern Conference title next weekend.


(13-6-0) SACRAMENTO- 27   (13-6-0) PORTLAND-24

Portland, Or:  Sacramento scored 17 unanswered 4th quarter points led by quarterback Ryan Nassib as the Crusaders overcame a 24-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Portland Dragons 27-24 before a near sell out crowd at Providence Park Saturday night.

Nassib completed 19 of 35 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns with 1 interception as the Crusaders defeat division rival for the 3rd time this season. Javone Lawson had 7 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Danny Coal caught 5 passes for 59 yards and a score. KA' Deem Carey ran 17 times for 65 yards and Randy Moss had 3 receptions for 49 yards.

Portland was led by quarterback Brian Brohm who completed 16 of 36 passes for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked 3 times. Chad Jackson caught 6 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Jasper Collins had a touchdown reception , catching 2 passes for 21 yards. Andrew Harris ran for one touchdown as the Dragons finish 13-6 for the season.

Sacramento (13-6) moves on to face the winner of the Houston-Shreveport match up for the Western Conference Championship next weekend.