by The Pittsburgh Maulers (2-4) hosted the North Division leaders, the Philadelphia Stars (3-3). The battle for the Key Stone state and a pivotal division matchup that will shape the playoffs as the winner will hold the first place slot. Despite both teams representing Pennsylvania the game took place at the birth place of America’s game, Canton, Ohio home of the Pittsburgh Maulers.It would be the Stars who claimed themselves the best in Pennsylvania as they beat the Maulers in a second half comeback with a final score of 37-31.
The Philadelphia Stars came out of the gates hot with a kickoff return to the Maulers half of the field. The Stars made easy work of the Maulers as they drove down the field and punched in a goal line rushing touchdown by Matthew Colburn II.
Troy Williams and his Maulers made sure they responded as they drove down the field using RPO’s and QB runs to keep the defense guessing. A 4th down conversion at mid-field was the push the Maulers needed in the first half as they gathered themselves and finished off the drive with a Garrett Groshek rushing touchdown to even up the game.
The first half continued to be full of madness, Joshua Simmons took a kickoff return to the house to give the Maulers the lead. The Stars offense moved the ball well most of the half but failed to finish the drives when they needed them the most. “You want excitement in the kicking game you get excitement.” Ray Horton on his teams success on special teams.
Williams got his first passing touchdown of the half when he launched a perfectly placed pass to Isiah Hennie who hauled it in the corner for an impressive snag. This exciting half of USFL football saw both teams trading field goals in the final minute of play with a score of 24-20 in favor of the Maulers.
The second half switched up the pace of the game, we went from nonstop scoring to a defensive struggle that surprisingly favored the Stars. The Maulers struggled to stay out of their own way due to penalties and turnovers. “That’s a reflection on me” – Horton on his teams penalties.
Cookus and his Stars took advantage of the Maulers mistake, he hit Corey Coleman for a 56-yard touchdown to take their second lead of the game. The Stars doubled up on second half touchdowns as Colburn ran one in for his second touchdown on the day.
The Maulers managed a good drive in the fourth quarter but proved once again that they were not disciplined enough to have a clean drive without any flags. “There drive killers” Horton on what prevented his team from getting things going on offense.
The Maulers scored one last time thanks to a Isiah Henne 69 yard punt return that set up a Maulers touchdown. Pittsburgh attempted a fourth and 12 to gain possession back but failed due to the Stars successful pass rush. “You get things fixed on offense and on defense then something else pops up” Stars coach Bart Andrus on special teams play.
The Stars ran the clock down to then kick a field goal; The Maulers had a chance to tie the game with 20 seconds remaining but could not complete the comeback with that much time remaining.
