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WEEK SEVEN
April 6, 1991
Amsterdam Admirals 27 at NY/NJ Knights 6
Venue: Meadowlands
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Tim Brandt and Dan Marino
Sideline Reporter: Dan Jiggetts
Knights quarterback Jeff Graham was intercepted five times in a game that turned out to be a defensive struggle.
Paris Phantoms 10 at Baltimore Stallions 20
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Warren Moon
Sideline Reporter: Jack Arute
Baltimore's kick coverage team finally snaps George LaFrance's streak of 3 straight games with a kickoff return for a touchdown.
April 7, 1991
San Antonio Riders 15 at London Monarchs 38
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Sideline Reporter: Mick Luckhurst
The Jim McMahon experiment blew up in the Riders' face. Before kickoff, San Antonio named Jason Garrett the starter. Coincidentally, Jason faced his brother, Monarchs running back Judd, in a game the Riders needed to win to get back to .500. Dedrick Dodge intercepted a Jason Garrett pass and took it 43 yards for a touchdown. Stan Gelbaugh threw for three additional touchdowns to help London run up the score in the second half.
Orlando Thunder 23 at Toronto Huskies 27
Venue: Skydome
TV: Fox
Announcers: Eric Clemons and Cris Collinsworth
Sideline Reporter: Julie Moran
After six weeks with Mike Trigg under the center, the Huskies finally make Doug Flutie the starter and he didn't disappoint.
Sacramento Surge 17 at Los Angeles Avengers 31
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: Fox
Announcers: Barry Tompkins and John Robinson
Sideline Reporter: Jim Valvano
The Allen Brothers combined for a total of 350 yards of total offense to the help the Avengers sweep the Surge. And it wasn't even close.
April 8, 1991
Frankfurt Galaxy 28 at Mexico City Luchadores 10
Venue: University Olympic Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Boomer Esiason and Dennis Miller
Sideline Reporter: Michael Barkann
HelmetCam: Tony Baker (RB; Galaxy)
Tony Baker recorded 250+ yards from scrimmage, catching 5 balls and rushed for 21 carries to give the Galaxy their second win of the season.
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And now, here are the World League standings at the halfway point of the 1991 season.
1991 FIRST HALF STANDINGS
European Division
Amsterdam Admirals 7-0
London Monarchs 6-1
Paris Phantoms 4-3
Frankfurt Galaxy 2-5
North American East
Baltimore Stallions 5-2
NY/NJ Knights 3-4
Orlando Thunder 3-4
Toronto Huskies 2-5
North American West
Los Angeles Avengers 6-1
Sacramento Surge 2-5
Mexico City Luchadores 1-6
San Antonio Riders 1-6
After seven weeks of play, Amsterdam and Los Angeles are clearly the best teams in the league. However, the Monarchs and Stallions are not too far behind. Keep an eye of the European Division with the Phantoms creeping closer to a possible wild card spot. For the Galaxy, Surge, Luchadores, Riders and Huskies, it's put up or shut up time.
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Predicting Avengers over Admirals in the championship for now
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WEEK EIGHT
April 13, 1991
Toronto Huskies 19 at Frankfurt Galaxy 16
Venue: Waldstadion
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Tim Brandt and Dan Marino
Sideline Reporter: Nick Halling
"FLUTIE MAGIC 2: THE SEQUEL"
With his team trailing 16-13 with just seconds to play, Huskies quarterback Doug Flutie fired a Hail Mary pass from his own 45 yard line. The catch would be credited to Steve Griffin, who had been in the Arena League the last two years and had yet to record a stat in the WLAF.
NY/NJ Knights 23 at Sacramento Surge 13
Venue: Hughes Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Ted Robinson and Dave Jennings
Sideline Reporter: Dan Jiggetts
Eric Wilkerson put on a rushing clinic for the Knights, racking up 200 yard on the ground and scoring two touchdowns.
Amsterdam Admirals 14 at Orlando Thunder 21
Venue: Florida Citrus Bowl
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Bill Macatee and Warren Moon
Sideline Reporter: Jack Arute
Who would've thought the Thunder would hand Amsterdam its first loss? With the Admirals in the red zone and the game tied at 14, Orlando safety Billy Owens intercepted Chris Chandler's pass in the end zone. That set up Kerwin Bell's game winning touchdown pass to John Simpson.
April 14, 1991
Baltimore Stallions 33 at London Monarchs 20
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TV: Fox
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Sideline Reporter: Mick Luckhurst
Monarchs quarterback Stan Gelbaugh had nowhere to hide as he was hounded by Baltimore defensive captain John Randle all afternoon. The usually reliable Victor Ebubedike was limited to 26 yards in London's most humiliating defeat to date.
Los Angeles Avengers 30 at Paris Phantoms 13
Venue: Parc Des Princes
TV: Fox
Announcers: Eric Clemons and Cris Collinsworth
Sideline Reporter: Julie Moran
George LaFrance's kick return slump continues as he was drilled by Avengers punter Darren Bennett early in the first quarter. Los Angeles quarterback Damon Allen torched the suspect Paris defense through the air for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns.
April 15, 1991
Mexico City Luchadores 10 at San Antonio Riders 23
Venue: Alamo Stadium
TV: USA Network
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Boomer Esiason and Dennis Miller
Sideline Reporter: Michael Barkann
HelmetCam: Ricky Blake (RB; San Antonio)
Once again, the Luchadores never fail to disappoint. Riders running back Ricky Blake gave USA Network plenty of HelmetCam material as he ran around and over the Mexico City defense in a game that was tied till the last ten minutes.
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Standings after Week Eight
European Division
Amsterdam 7-1
London 6-2
Paris 4-4
Frankfurt 2-6
North American East
Baltimore 6-2
NY/NJ 4-4
Orlando 4-4
Toronto 3-5
North American West
Los Angeles 7-1
Sacramento 2-6
San Antonio 2-6
Mexico City 1-7
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Before we eventually unveil the Portland expansion franchise, here are some sigs of the other World League teams. More on the way soon.
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Orlando Thunder
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London Monarchs
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Frankfurt Galaxy
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Amsterdam Admirals