Orlando Stays On Top Of AAF Power Rankings With Comeback Win

Feb 18, 2019, 4:34 PM | Updated: 7:10 pm

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/AAF/Getty Images)

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Orlando Apollo had to overcome a first quarter deficit but knock off San Antonio in the second half to remain on top of the Alliance of American Football Power Rankings.

Just three of the eight teams in the league have won both games of the season. All three teams that are unbeaten had to overcome early deficits to pick up their second win.

Here is the KSL Sports AAF Power Rankings from the second week of the season:

1. Orlando Apollos (2-0)

Result: Beat San Antonio Commanders 37-29 on the road.

Recap: The Apollos had to climb back from a 12-0 deficit in the second quarter as they outscored the Commanders 17-6 to trail by one at halftime. Orlando trailed by 9 points heading into the fourth quarter where they turned it on by scoring two touchdowns and one field goal to pick up the win. Defensive back Keith Reaser intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown to break the tie with 7 minutes left.

Former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert led Orlando with 393 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Charles Johnson collected 7 receptions for 192 yards and one touchdown.

Fresh highlights of our 37-29 win over the Commanders. Wow. 🏹#TakeAim | #ORLvsSA pic.twitter.com/zfBMQXSd79

— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: vs. Memphis Express (0-2), Saturday at 6 p.m. on the NFL Network.

2. Arizona Hotshots (2-0)

Result: Beat Memphis Express 20-18 on the road.

Recap: Memphis jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first half but Arizona didn’t fold. They outscored the Express 20-6 in the second half to pick up the win.

Former Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford threw for 194 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Wide receiver Josh Huff grabbed two catches for 84 yards. Running back Tim Cook had 13 rushes for 73 yards.

Those real ones, they coming out!#AZHotshots are sitting at the 🔝 of the Western Conference, baby! pic.twitter.com/Mh04DcYKIt

— Arizona Hotshots (@aafhotshots) February 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: at Salt Lake Stallions (0-2), Saturday at 12 p.m. on Bleacher Report Live.

3. Birmingham Iron (2-0)

Result: Beat Salt Lake Stallions 12-9 at home.

Recap: Salt Lake scored all 9 of their points in the first half to take a 9-0 lead. Birmingham capitalized on two missed field goals and a bad snap on another field goal attempt to score the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter with 4 minutes left to play.

Quarterback Luis Perez had 184 yards passing, while former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson had 41 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, while catching 6 passes for 50 receiving yards.

Comeback: 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘 ☑️#SLvsBHM #WeAreBirmingham #ForgeOn⚒️🔥 pic.twitter.com/ENrZvmuuu5

— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron) February 16, 2019

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: at Atlanta Legends (0-2), Sunday at 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

4. San Antonio Commanders (1-1)

Result: Lost to Orlando Apollo 37-29 at home.

Recap: San Antonio had two chances to put the game away for good in each half but couldn’t do it. They were up 12-0 in the opening quarter but was up by just one at halftime. The Commanders had a 29-17 lead in the third quarter but allowed Orlando to score 20 unanswered points to win the game.

Former Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside had 223 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Running back Kenneth Farrow II racked up 74 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, while wide receiver De’Marcus Ayers had 80 receiving yards.

Thank you to the 29,176 people who joined us in the Alamodome last night.

Unreal atmosphere. ‼️⚔️💥 pic.twitter.com/5uo4P1OpOT

— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) February 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: at San Diego Fleet (1-1), Sunday at 6 p.m. on the NFL Network.

5. San Diego Fleet (1-1)

Result: Beat Atlanta Legends 24-12 at home.

Recap: Atlanta started the game with 9 unanswered points but would add just one more field goal in the fourth quarter. San Diego had three field goals in the second and third quarter but took the game over in the final period with two touchdowns and one field goal.

Former East Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson had 142 yards passing and 1 interception. Running back Ja’Quan Gardener racked up 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries. Former Colorado wide receiver Nelson Spruce hauled in 4 catches for 58 yards.

LET’S GO!! Great win at home for the #SDFleet! #AllHandsOnDeck pic.twitter.com/4SeCJaVZkZ

— San Diego Fleet (@AAFFleet) February 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Up: vs. San Antonio Commanders (1-1), Sunday at 6 p.m. on the NFL Network.

6. Salt Lake Stallions (0-2)

Result: Lost to Birmingham Iron 12-9 on the road.

Recap: The Stallions had two missed field goals and one bad snap on a third field goal attempt that was the difference in the game. Their defense shutout the Iron in the first half but couldn’t find the end zone offensively in the second half.

Former Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen had 114 yards through the air. Running back Joel Bouagnon posted 11 carries for 70 yards and 1 touchdown, while Branden Oliver added 59 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Despite huge defensive performance, Stallions fall short of the win in Birmingham.

RECAP: https://t.co/WCUkrX53aS pic.twitter.com/f91TLHq3CS

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) February 17, 2019

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: vs. Arizona Hotshots (2-0), Saturday at 12 p.m. on Bleacher Report Live.

7. Memphis Express (0-2)

Result: Lost to Arizona Hotshots 20-18 on the road.

Recap: After being shutout in their first game, Memphis had an early 12-0 lead at halftime, but would score on more touchdown in the fourth quarter. Arizona outscored the Express 20-6 in the second half.

Former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw for 102 yards. Former NFL running back Zac Stacey racked up 101 yards and 1 touchdown.

On Saturday night, Zac Stacy (@ZSTACY_) became the first @TheAAF player to rush for 100 yards in a single game. | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/D1GEAho6vf

— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) February 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Up: at Orlando Apollos (2-0), Saturday at 6 p.m. on the NFL Network.

8. Atlanta Legends (0-2)

Result: Lost San Diego Fleet 24-12 on the road.

Recap: Atlanta had a 9-0 lead after the first quarter but San Diego tied the game with 12:10 left in the third quarter. The Legends regained the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter when San Diego scored two touchdowns and a field goal to win the game.

Former Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms threw for 160 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception for Atlanta. Wide receiver Akrum Wadley posted 8 receptions for 70 yards, while running back Lawrence Pittman rushed for 42 yards on 9 carries.