Pittsburgh Power Earn First Ever Playoff Berth
The Pittsburgh Power attempted to earn its first ever playoff berth Friday against the Iowa Barnstormers. Photo courtesy of Zachary Weiss
The Pittsburgh Power knew that with a win in this game against the Iowa Barnstormers, the first ever franchise playoff berth would be theirs. They would accomplish this earning a 57-27 victory.
In the opening quarter of the contest, the Barnstormers received the opening kick but started off a sloppy quarter with an opening drive interception. Brandon Freeman came up with the football and brought the ball back deep in Iowa territory. The Power would come up empty however turning the ball over on downs.
Each team had three touchdowns in the opening half. Iowa wide receiver Darius Reynolds scored one on the run in the first quarter and another in the air from Carson Coffman in the second quarter, each one giving his team the lead at the time. The other Barnstormers scored was a run from Derik Steiner.
The Power used passes of 26 and 24 yards to get on the board with Tommy Grady finding Rodney Wright and Shawn Kauleinamoku. Much like Iowa, the Power had a one yard run, theirs from Tommy Taggert to represent the last touchdown of the first half.
Prechae Rodriguez opened the third quarter with a touchdown reception from 20 yards. While Reynolds would counter with his third touchdown of the game, Wright responded with another touchdown giving the Power a 35-27 lead at the end of three quarters.
Grady threw a third touchdown pass to Wright which allowed the quarterback to pass Jay Gruden for 13th on the all-time passing yards list. The victory was sealed when Coffman threw an interception to Andre Jones with under seven minutes remaining in the half. Before the game’s conclusion, Wright scored a fourth touchdown.
The Power will next travel to Jacksonville to take on the Sharks. The game will be played Saturday at 7 PM. There is one final home game on the schedule and it is July 26 when the Philadelphia Soul visit.
Awards:
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game– Tommy Grady Pittsburgh
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game– Al Phillips Pittsburgh
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Rodney Wright Pittsburgh
Cutters Catch of the Game– Shaun Kauleinamoku TD grab
AFL Highlight of the Game– James Bryant/Maurice Fountain sack