The Houston Gamblers (2-3) hosted the Columbus Aviators (1-4) on Sunday afternoon at Shell Energy Stadium. With the season reaching the halfway point, the Gamblers kept their playoff hopes alive.
In the first quarter, Houston had the ball on the 20-yard line. On the third play of the game, quarterback Nolan Henderson threw a 21-yard pass to Lawrence Keys III. The offense moved the ball to the two-yard line, where running back Jalen White scored the touchdown. The Gamblers took a 7-0 lead to conclude a 13-play drive for 85 yards. The score remained 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Houston quarterback Nolan Henderson rushed for a five-yard touchdown for a 14-0 lead to conclude a 12-play drive for 75 yards. Later, Columbus quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 21-yard pass to Antwane Wells. Columbus reached the one-yard line, where McClendon scored the touchdown. The Aviators trailed the Gamblers 14-7 to conclude a 10-play drive for 67 yards.
In a bizarre situation, Houston had the ball on the 38-yard line. Head coach Kevin Sumlin called a timeout after his kicker, John Hoyland, initially made a 56-yard field goal. On the second try, Hoyland missed the field goal.
Late in the second quarter, Columbus moved the ball to the seven-yard line. On the next play, running back Toa Taua rushed to his right side to score the touchdown. Kicker Ryan Coe missed the extra point. The Aviators trailed the Gamblers 14-13 at halftime to conclude an eight-play drive for 54 yards.
In the third quarter, both offenses struggled to move the football. No points were scored. Late in the third quarter, Houston moved the ball to the five-yard line. They led the Aviators 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Houston kicker John Hoyland made a 23-yard field goal for a 17-13 lead. The drive took 10 plays for 47 yards. Columbus had the ball on the 40-yard line. They moved the ball to the one-yard line, but McClendon was sacked on third down by Kenny Dyson. Ryan Coe missed a 29-yard field goal.
When Columbus got another opportunity, they moved the ball to the 27-yard line. On the next play, quarterback Jalan McClendon took off running down the middle of the field. Houston linebacker Eugene Asante forced the ball out, and Roman Parodie recovered it for Houston.
The Gamblers moved the ball to the 38-yard line before punting the ball. Columbus had one more chance. Jalan McClendon threw two passes for 18 yards. On the last play of the game, McClendon threw the ball to Alize Mack, and he tried to lateral the ball, but Houston recovered it, and the game was over. The Gamblers held on to beat the Aviators by the final score of 17-13.
Houston’s offense had 257 yards (146 passing yards, 120 rushing yards), 21 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized three times. Quarterback Nolan Henderson completed 13 of 25 passes (52%) for 146 yards, six carries for 37 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Running back Jalen White had nine carries for 32 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Lawrence Keys III made three catches for 43 yards, while Jontre Kirklin made three catches for 32 yards. The defense made 57 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Columbus had 261 yards on offense (159 passing yards, 117 rushing yards), 14 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized five times. Quarterback Jalan McClendon completed 14 of 21 passes (66.7%) for 141 yards, four carries for 25 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Running back Zaquandre White had 10 carries for 38 yards, while Toa Taua had six carries for 30 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Tay Martin made three catches for 40 yards, while Antwane Wells made three catches for 32 yards. The defense made 66 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
The two teams will meet in a rematch in Columbus next Friday at 8 pm on Fox.
