In a vintage Arena Football League shootout, the Georgia Force held on to defeat the Tulsa Talons 53-47 in a game that went down to the final seconds on Sunday at Gwinnett Arena.
The Force, which was making its return to metro Atlanta after a two-year hiatus, played before a boisterous crowd of 4,385 fans in its season-opener.
“The fans got here early and were tailgating in the parking lot like they always do,” general manager Chris Hendley said. “It was a beautiful. Really, we couldn’t ask for anything better. It was a good win. The crowd was definitely into it.”
The players felt the electricity from the crowd.
“As the game went along and we started to score, the atmosphere picked up,” said linebacker Jerry Turner, who had a key blocked field goal early in the third quarter.
Force quarterback Brett Elliott directed seven touchdown drives and threw three touchdowns passes. The Force also got a kickoff return for a touchdown by wide receiver CJ Johnson.
“He was pretty sharp,” Force head coach Dean Cokinos said. “Brett did a good job of commanding the offense. We scored every possession in the first half before we had that fumbled snap. That one bad drive kind of really set us back. But for the most part he was pretty sharp.”
The Force held a 27-19 lead at halftime.
The Talons first drive of the second half stalled and they had to settle for a field goal attempt. Turner came off the right edge to block the kick.
Over the next eight possessions, the Force scored four touchdowns and got two turnovers on downs to open a 53-33 lead with 5:15 to play in the game.
The last touchdown was a trick play where Elliott tossed the ball out to Michael Johnson behind the line of scrimmage. He then hit lineman Kevin McAlmont, who was receiver eligible and streaking unguarded up the right sideline.
“It caught me off guard too,” Elliott said. “That’s refreshing about coach Cokinos. He’s aggressive, intense and fiery, but at the same time he’s creative.”
The Talons made a furious rally. The victory was not secure until Tulsa’s unsuccessful onside kick with six seconds left.
Up next
Opponent: Jacksonville Sharks
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Sea Best Field, Jacksonville
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