Running back Kenneth Farrow ran for a game-high 142 yards in a tough defensive battle between the Iron and Commanders. The Commanders took control in the third quarter and held off a late fourth-quarter rally to hold off the Iron 12-11. This is the first loss of the season for the Iron.

AAF Recap: Birmingham Iron vs San Antonio Commanders

First Half

On the Iron initial drive, completions of 13 and 19 help get the Iron down the field quickly. But a string of incompletions by Luis Perez stalled the Iron drive, forcing a punt.

On the ensuing Commanders drive, quarterback Logan Woodside led the Commanders on a 21-play 78-yard drive that lasted nine minutes and 34 seconds. The drive included four third-down conversions. The Commanders drove all the way down to the Iron ten yard line before they finally got a stop. A third down sack forced a field goal from Commanders’ kicker Nick Rose, who is perfect on the season.

The teams would trade punts on the next two possessions, and towards the end of the first half, the Iron went on a drive of their own. Perez threw the ball effectively, and at one point in the drive, threw five straight completions to five different receivers. But, similar to the Commanders drive, the Iron drive stalled on a failed third down in the redzone that led to a Nick Novak field goal. At halftime, the game was tied 3-3.

Iron quarterback Luis Perez finished the first half 11 of 21, 98 yards and running back Kenneth Farrow for the Commanders rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries to lead both offenses.

Second Half

After both teams stalled in their first few drives, the Iron were deep in Commanders’ territory early in the third quarter when cornerback Zack Sanchez intercepted an errant Luis Perez throw. The Commanders used the legs of Trey Williams and Kenneth Farrow to move down the field, with the drive ending in a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Williams.

Luis Perez tosses this one to the wrong team, and the @aafcommanders have the chance to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/OJecjeP7Dc — CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 3, 2019

Drives would stall the next few possessions, leading into the middle of the fourth. Another Iron turnover, this time a fumble, would set up the Commanders with the ball in Iron territory. On the ensuing drive, Farrow went back to work, gashing the Iron defense for a 17-yard run to get to the goal line. However, The Iron defense made a huge stand to keep the Commanders out of the end zone, denying five run plays inside the five-yard line. The Commanders add a field goal to go up 12-3 with less than five minutes remaining.

The Iron would not go away. By way of Perez’s arm and Commanders penalties, the Iron drove down the field and would score with a minute and 41 seconds remaining. On their fourth down onside conversion, Perez threw an interception to end a comeback attempt by the Iron.

Last Word

The Iron offense played inconsistently all game long. Too many times the Iron drives stalled, including multiple opportunities in the red zone. If the Iron want to truly be successful in the long run, fine-tuning the offense, specifically the passing game, will be vital. The Commanders, on the other hand, should feel good about this performance. This Iron defense is tough, but being able to move the ball and neutralize their pass rush by running it down the Iron throats proved effective. Here is Mike Reily’s thoughts on the play of his quarterback, Logan Woodside:

My question to @aafcommanders coach Mike Riley about the play of his quarterback Logan Woodside in their win over the Iron: pic.twitter.com/93tDOJwGCu — Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) March 4, 2019

The Iron have a big matchup with the Orlando Apollos next Saturday night at Legion Field. Two of the leagues’ top teams will clash in a battle of supremacy of the Eastern Conference. Orlando is coming off of a big 20-11 win against the Stallions.

The Commanders travel to Sun Devil Stadium next Sunday to face off against the Arizona Hotshots, in another anticipated matchup.

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