Iowa Barnstormers lose to the Frisco Fighters

July 20, 2024 – Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers Press Release

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Barnstormers fought hard on both sides of the ball in their final game of the 2024 season, but ultimately lost 59-47 to the Frisco Fighters.

At the start of the offense, it took less than two minutes for the Barnstormers to strike first. Quarterback Brandon Alt took a deep shot, backed up to his own goal line, and found wide receiver Ezekiel Lang for the 32-yard touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Fighters’ offense seemed to be picking up the pieces after scoring a franchise-high 81 points last week. But Iowa’s defense was the culprit.

Fighters kicker Bryce Crawford came out and scored a long field goal, followed by a deuce on the kickoff, bringing the score to two points, 7-5.

With the ball back in Iowa’s possession, Alt found wide receiver Keshaun Taylor in the end zone to increase the lead to 14-5.

Frisco put a score on the board early in the second quarter when running back Jimmy Smith found the corner of the end zone. After Iowa made a field goal on its next drive, quarterback TJ Edwards ran for his first to give Frisco a one-point lead.

Trailing 18-17, the light went on for the Fighters when a pass intended for wide receiver Quian Williams was intercepted. Just one play later, wide receiver Phazione McClurge extended the lead with a 39-yard scoring run.

Both teams scored touchdowns before halftime, with Frisco leading 32-26.

The Fighters marched down the field on their opening drive of the second half, but the Barnstormers’ defense forced an incomplete pass on fourth down in the red zone. Alt then threw his second interception of the game to defensive back Ethan Caselberry to give Frisco the ball right back.

Edwards took advantage of a second chance with the ball. A couple of hard runs down the field set up a seven-yard touchdown pass to McClurge, his second of the game.

Iowa needed an offensive spark to start the fourth quarter, and a sack didn’t help. Despite the setback, running back Paul Garrett made a crucial catch along the wall to convert on fourth down, and Williams caught a touchdown in the front corner of the end zone to close the scoring gap to just six points.

The Fighters responded immediately with a long touchdown pass caught by wide receiver Spencer Tears, but the Barnstormers kept fighting. Alt rounded two defenders and connected with Williams again for a score in the back of the end zone.

A failed onside kick attempt by Iowa gave Frisco prime field position, and Edwards ran for his second touchdown on the ground just one play later. However, a quick score by Williams kept the back-and-forth battle going with just under two minutes left in the game.

After another failed onside kick, the Fighters had time on their side. Edwards tried everything he could to stay out of the end zone to run out the clock, eventually reaching the goal line at the whistle to give Frisco the 59-47 victory.

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