Kickoff Weekend 1991

Saturday February 23, 1991

"The First Game"
Frankfurt Galaxy 10 vs. Amsterdam Admirals 17
Stadium: Amsterdam Olympic Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Tim Brandt and Dan Marino
Sideline Reporter: Nick Halling

After a year and a half of planning, the World League finally kicked off in Amsterdam. On each Saturday going forward, the USA Network would shorten its long running Cartoon Express block to televise early afternoon games from Europe. New NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue gave an introductory speech to a sold out Amsterdam crowd. Also there was his predecessor Pete Rozelle, who was on hand for the coin toss ceremony.

Galaxy kicker Stefan Maslo scored the first points with a 38 yard field goal late in the first quarter. Frankfurt led 10 to 7 at halftime with a Tony Baker touchdown run separating the teams. In the second half, Amsterdam coach Dick Vermeil benched quarterback Peter Tom Willis and sent in former Colt Chris Chandler to energize what had been a sputtering offense. A field goal by Silvio Diliberto tied the game for Amsterdam midway through in the third quarter. In the fourth, Chandler finally connected with wide receiver Henry "Gizmo" Williams for the winning score.

Baltimore Stallions 20 at NY/NJ Knights 0
Stadium: Giants Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Warren Moon
Sideline Reporter: Dan Jiggetts

Coach Mouse Davis hoped to roll out the Knights' Run and Shoot offense in front of the Meadowlands crowd. But instead, Stallions defensive lineman John Randle, allocated by the Minnesota Vikings, wreaked havoc on the Knights' backfield. For Knights running back Eric Wilkerson, there was no place to run. For Knights quarterback Todd Hammel, there was no place to hide.

Sunday February 24, 1991

The British/French rivalry begins
London Monarchs 34 vs. Paris Phantoms 21
Stadium: Parc des Princes
TV: Fox
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville

The Phantoms led 14-0 in the first half when Monarchs coach and former Raiders assistant Larry Kennan benched John Witkowski and sent in Stan Gelbaugh, allocated by the Phoenix Cardinals. London turned the game around when Gelbaugh connected with former Cornhusker Dana Brinson on a 43 yard play action pass to put the Monarchs within 7. On the next series, Phantoms quarterback and one time Bronco backup Scott Erney was flushed out of the pocket, forcing him to throw an interception directly into the hands of London safety Dedrick Dodge. That pick set up a touchdown run up the middle by English native Victor Ebubedike right before halftime.

Paris battled back in the third quarter when Tony Rice threw to Dempsey Norman to retake the lead. But in the end, Paris would hand the game back to London when running back Broderick Sargent fumbled and the loose ball was scooped up by London's Mark Pearce. That set up two more Monarch touchdowns; a pass from Gelbaugh to Andre Riley and a pick-six by Dedrick Dodge on the next series.

San Antonio Riders 9 at Mexico City Luchadores 10
Stadium: Univeristy Olympic Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Eric Clemons and Cris Collinsworth

Three measly field goals by Jim Gallery gave San Antonio a 9-3 lead for what turned out to be a smashmouth defensive struggle. The only touchdown of the game came when Luchadores quarterback Brent Pease completed a screen pass to rookie wide receiver and Mexican native Victor Clavel.

Orlando Thunder 27 at Sacramento Surge 34
Stadium: Hughes Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Barry Tompkins and John Robinson

Orlando's Kerwin Bell and Sacramento's David Archer combined for an aerial fireworks display, but it would be the Surge who would get the last laugh when former Razorback Kendall Trainor kicked the game winning field goal in overtime.

February 25, 1991

Allen Brothers' first pro game together
Los Angeles Avengers 17 vs. Toronto Huskies 13
Stadium: Skydome
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Boomer Esiason and Dennis Miller
Sideline Reporter: Michael Barkann
Helmet Cam: Marcus Allen (RB; Avengers)

Marcus Allen wanted to prove to Al Davis and other NFL owners that he still had plenty left in the tank, and the World League would be his proving ground. With his team trailing 13 to 3 in the third quarter, Marcus would score the Avengers' inaugural touchdown on a third and long draw play from LA's own one yard line. The real hero for the Avengers that night was younger brother Damon Allen who connected with tight end Demetrius Davis on a play action pass that froze the left side of the Husky defense.

Last edited by NeoPrankster (5/02/2020 1:50 pm)

Heck yes! 1-0 Avengers! Let’s roll!

Hey nice win for my Paris Phantoms! They are my team btw

Week 3 1991

March 9, 1991
Amsterdam Admirals 27 at Paris Phantoms 0
Stadium: Parc des Princes
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Ted Robinson and Dave Jennings
Sideline Reporter: Nick Halling

Turnovers plagued the Phantoms the entire game. To make matters worse, Paris failed to convert a single first down. Nor were the Phantoms able to cross the 50 yard line. This victory kept the Amsterdam Admirals undefeated at 3-0 and reaffirmed their sole possession of first place in the European Division.

Orlando Thunder 17 at NY/NJ Knights 27
Stadium: Meadowlands
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Tim Brandt and Dan Marino
Sideline Reporter: Jack Arute

After those two straight losses, the Knights' Run N' Shoot offense finally began to click. An injury to Orlando linebacker Paul McGowan late in the first half set up the Knights' comeback from a 13 point deficit.

March 10, 1991
Frankfurt Galaxy 10 at London Monarchs 34
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Sideline Reporter: Mick Luckhurst

Wembley Stadium was sold out for the Monarchs' home opener. The Galaxy were still bruised and banged up from the loss to Paris the week prior. Frankfurt's third string defenders had absolutely no answers for London's rushing attack led by Judd Garrett and Victor Ebubedike.

Los Angeles Avengers 13 at Mexico City Luchadores 10
Stadium: University Olympic Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Barry Tompkins and John Robinson
Sideline Reporter: Jim Valvano

The Luchadores signed free agent Pellom McDaniels to improve their defensive line. McDaniels helped keep the game tight with a sack and a fumble recovery, but the Luchadores still couldn't finish. A field goal by Manfred Burgsmuller won the game in overtime for the Avengers. 

Sacramento Surge 17 at San Antonio Riders 20
Stadium: Alamo Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Eric Clemons and Cris Collinsworth
Sideline Reporter: Julie Moran

With Jason Garrett still out with an injury, the Riders started Lee Saltz at quarterback for their home opener. With less than two minutes to play and the Surge with the ball, linebacker Mark Ledbetter forced a fumble to protect the Riders' lead.

March 11, 1991
Toronto Huskies 20 at Baltimore Stallions 24
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Boomer Esiason and Dennis Miller
Sideline Reporter: Michael Barkann
HelmetCam: John Randle (DL; Stallions)

Stallions defensive lineman John Randle continues to impress NFL scouts with his performance. He also continues to impress fans watching at home with the trash talk picked up by USA's HelmetCam. Two sacks and a fumble recovery by Randle gave Baltimore the win and first place in the North American East.

WEEK FOUR 1991

March 16, 1991
Mexico City Luchadores 3 at Paris Phantoms 10
Stadium: Parc des Princes
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Ted Robinson and Dave Jennings
Sideline Reporter: Nick Halling

A defensive struggle that saw both teams push each other to the limit. The 3-3 tie wasn't broken until George LaFrance returned the opening kickoff of overtime for a touchdown. Even though the Phantoms would even their record at 2-2, their pass rush and man to man coverage need a lot of work.

Sacramento Surge 21 at Baltimore Stallions 34
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Tim Brandt and Dan Marino
Sideline Reporter: Dan Jiggetts

Baltimore improves to 3-1 in the North American East division after outlasting the Surge in an offensive aerial show.

Toronto Huskies 13 at Orlando Thunder 24 (USA Network)
Stadium: Florida Citrus Bowl
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Warren Moon
Sideline Reporter: Jack Arute

Orlando QB Kerwin Bell threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns against a Husky secondary ravaged by injuries.

March 17, 1991
NY/NJ Knights 28 at Frankfurt Galaxy 13
Stadium: Waldstadion
TV: Fox
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Sideline Reporter: Mick Luckhurst

Once again, the injury bug bites the Galaxy's defense hard. Knights' running back Eric Wilkerson ran around and over the Galaxy defense the entire game.

San Antonio Riders 10 at Amsterdam Admirals 28
Stadium: Amsterdam Olympic Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Barry Tompkins and John Robinson
Sideline Reporter: Julie Moran

With Jason Garrett and Lee Saltz banged up, the Riders brought in former Bear Jim McMahon to get their offense back on the saddle. Amsterdam's stingy defense kept the usually cocky McMahon quiet most of the game, only giving up a meaningless touchdown with just five minutes left. The win lifted the Admirals to 4-0 and tightened their grip on first place in the European.

March 18, 1991
London Monarchs 28 at Los Angeles Avengers 16
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Boomer Esiason and Dennis Miller
Sideline Reporter: Michael Barkann
HelmetCam: Stan Gelbaugh (QB; Monarchs)

Stan Gelbaugh and the Monarchs handed LA their first loss of the season in a game that provided a decent mixture of physicality and emotion. Dedrick Dodge intercepted Damon Allen twice and the London defensive line defied the odds to shut down the Avengers' rushing attack.

Last edited by NeoPrankster (5/04/2020 10:46 pm)