Bandits down Rebels, retain Key to the City Trophy

Bandits 49, Rebels 40

The Bandits used a dominating 14-minute stretch spanning the final two quarters to pull away from the Raleigh Rebels and take sole possession of second place in the AIFL South. Trailing by six, Robbie Jenkins threw three straight touchdown passes sandwiching two defensive stops. Bryan Still and Redd Thompson made some incredibly athletic catches, and the Bandits’ defense, which allowed Raleigh to score 13 straight points to take the lead in the third quarter, got a fumble forced by Shannon Davis and an interception from Shernard Newby at their one yard line to crush the Rebels’ hopes of a comeback. The defense actually played well throughout the game as they made a goal-line stand in the first quarter and as the game wore on got consistent pressure on Rebel QB David Malino. Shannon Davis returned a missed field goal 54 yards for the Bandits’ first TD.

Player of the Game: Redd Thompson, with seven catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns. One of his scores came on a beautifully run hitch-and-go pattern and another was plucked out of midair as Redd outjumped everyone in the end zone.

Offensive Stars: Brandon Isaiah had 12 carries for 31 yards and a score and was able to get big chunks of yardage on the ground; Al Ford played his first game of the season on the offensive line and kept the Bandits’ final, clock-killing drive alive when he hustled down the field on a Bryan Still reception and recovered Still’s fumble.

Defensive Stars: Shannon Davis, with the forced fumble and a couple of good kick returns, including the TD; linebackers Tim Jones and Kevin Coles, who made their presence known in the offensive backfield and were each in on a sack.

Other Links:	Times-Dispatch "coverage"
	Dave's Football Blog (with pictures of legendary Dorton Arena)
	AIFL recap

Next: at Chattahoochee Valley Vipers, Saturday 7pm