It’s often been said that it’s not how you start, but how you finish. That was never more true than in the San Diego Fleet’s dominating 31-11 victory over the San Antonio Commanders at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego Sunday night. The victory for the Fleet avenged a loss to San Antonio in Week 1, and enabled them to tie the Arizona Hotshots for first place in the Western Conference with a 2-1 record. The Commanders dropped to 1-2.
The Fleet could not have started any worse, as Philip Nelson was picked off on the first play of the game by De'Vante Bausby. On San Antonio's first play, Logan Woodeside dropped back and found a wide open Mekale Mckay for a 47 yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. The two point would be good, and the Commanders led 8-0.
And play #2 of the game. @LwoodsideQB5 @1_McKay_2---- pic.twitter.com/QBBbaMbHpU
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders)
February 25, 2019 On the next Commander possession after two costly penalties, San Antonio was facing a third and long, and Woodside forced a pass into coverage that was intercpeted by Jordan Martin. Philip Nelson would bounce back nicely after that early interception, as he orchestrated an eight play 92 yard drive that was capped off by a 3 yard touchdown pass to Nelson Spruce. This was the first touchdown pass for the Fleet franchise and cut the lead to 8-6.
That Nelson to Nelson connection. ---- #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/i7FPpgL2dP
— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet)
February 25, 2019 The Fleet's defense would step up after a shaky start, when linebacker AJ Tarpley stepped in front of a Woodside pass and took it to the house for a pick six and a 14-8 lead.
Take it to the house, @AJTarpley! 6⃣--#SDFleet lead the @aafcommanders 14-8 in the 2nd quarter. #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/aRKmTt1tVh
— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet)
February 25, 2019 Coach Martz and the Fleet would score again before half time, as Philip Nelson found Nelson Spruce again for an 18 yard touchdown pass, making the Fleet lead 22-8 at half.
Back at it again with the Nelson to Nelson connection! ------ #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/ePSbjzvMB0
— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet)
February 25, 2019 Last week's hero Ja'quan Gardner was not much of a factor in the first half, but made his presence felt to start the third quarter when he ripped off an 83 yard touchdown run to pad the Fleet lead to 28-8.
.@_JGWentworth_32 can FLY! -------- #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/3Z9FG65ho0
— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet)
February 25, 2019 The Fleet went on to win 31-11 behind Nelson's 2 touchdown passes, Ja'quan Gardner's Alliance of American Football record long touchdown run, and a great performance from their defense. The Fleet sacked San Antonio five times and forced two interceptions. One of them went for a touchdown by Tarpley, which was the first in Fleet franchise history. Entering the game, San Antonio led the league with a 56.8 conversion percentage on third down (21-for-37). However, the Fleet stopped the Commanders on 11 third downs Sunday night.
Following his interception, Nelson completed 16 of his next 24 passes for 193 yards, two touchdowns and a 100.9 passer rating. By contrast, after Woodside’s touchdown pass, he completed 11 of his next 22 passes for 101 yards and two interceptions. He had a 51.2 passer rating in the game. Nelson was asked about finally throwing a touchdown pass, and said "it was awesome you know, but we need more of those in the future. But yeah, it was awesome."
The Fleet will hit the road next week as they take on Mike Singletary's Memphis Express (0-3).
