By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
Birmingham (8-0) defeated the Houston Roughnecks (1-7) 35-28 tonight at Protective Stadium for the franchise’s fifteenth straight win.
The Stallions defeated the re-branded Houston Gamblers of the USFL by 23 points earlier this season. The Gamblers were the last team to beat the Stallions.
Birmingham quarterback Adrian Martinez, looking to get back to the NFL and claim the MVP title, came into the game leading the league in rushing yards (387), second in touchdown passes (10), and third in passing yards (1,202).
Martinez scored five times, three through the air and two on the ground. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 173 yards and rushed six times for 44 yards.
The Birmingham defense came to life early in the game. Houston QB Reid Sinnett was intercepted by safety A.J. Thomas on the third play from scrimmage. Thomas returned the pick to the Roughnecks’ 43-yard line.
Nine plays later, Martinez connected with Deon Cain for a 9-yard touchdown. The Stallions led 6-0 after the PAT failed with 8:58 remaining in the opening period.
The Birmingham defense forced a three-and-out, and Amari Rodgers returned the punt to Houston’s 49-yard line.
Five plays later, Martinez connected with Binjimen Victor for a 12-yard score. The Stallions extended the lead to 12-0 after another failed PAT with 4:47 remaining.
Houston got on the board three players later when former Florida Gator Mark Thompson scored on a 37-yard run. The Roughnecks converted a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 12-8 with 3:10 in the first.
The Stallions put together a seven-play drive, but it stalled at the Houston 28-yard line. Ramiz Ahmed nailed a 45-yard field goal to extend the Birmingham lead to 15-8 with 8:24 remaining in the half.
The Roughnecks put an eight-play drive together but came up with no points after J.J. Molson missed a 51-yard field goal.
The Stallions were looking to get the offense on track, but Donald Rutledge Jr. intercepted a Martinez throw.
Houston looked to capitalize on the turnover, and Reid Sinnett went to work. He hit Justin Hall for completions of 30 and 21 yards to put the Roughnecks deep in Stallions’ territory.
Thompson scored from three yards out for his second touchdown of the night. The Roughneck’s PAT failed, and Birmingham held a 15-14 lead at the 2:00 mark.
Houston held Birmingham and forced a punt, but the Roughnecks jumped offsides and handed the ball back to the Stallions.
Martinez made Houston pay. The Stallions went 71 yards in 11 plays and extended their lead on a Martinez four-yard run with eleven seconds remaining in the half. The PAT failed, and the Stallions went to the locker room with a 21-14 lead.
The Stallions’ offense opened the second half looking for points. Birmingham went 53 yards in nine plays and struck pay dirt when Martinez hit Rodgers with an acrobatic 10-yard touchdown at the 10:05 mark. Martinez converted the one-point PAT to give the Stallions a 21-14 lead.
The Roughnecks brought in Nolan Henderson at quarterback to start the second half. Houston put together a 77-yard five-play drive that ended with Henderson scoring on a diving three-yard touchdown. The PAT failed, and the Stallions led 28-20 with 4:27 left in the third quarter.
On the next Birmingham drive, the Stallions flexed their muscle with a six-play 57-yard drive. Martinez scored on an eight-yard run to push the lead to 35-20 with 1:34 in the third after the successful PAT.
After Houston drove deep into Birmingham territory, the drive ended after the Roughnecks failed to convert a fourth down attempt.
On the next play, the Stallions handed the ball back to Houston on a Larry Roundtree fumble at the Birmingham 21-yard line.
Six plays later, Sinnett hit TE Braedon Bowman for a 2-yard touchdown. Houston then converted a two-point conversion to cut the lead to seven with 7:30 left in the game.
Birmingham could not pick up a first down and had to give the ball back to Houston.
Birmingham’s defense stepped up, forcing a Roughneck three and out with 3:06 remaining.
The Stallions’ offense took over at their 23-yard line and held the ball until punting it away with 25 seconds remaining in the game.
Houston returned the punt to their 16-yard line. A Birmingham personal foul moved the ball to the Stallions’ 41-yard line.
The Roughnecks completed a pass to the Birmingham 24-yard line with two seconds remaining. Stinnet spiked the ball to stop the clock.On the game’s last play, Stinnett was sacked by DeMarquis Gates to end the game.
The Stallions’ offense produced 322 yards, while the defense gave up a season-high 311 yards to Houston.
The Stallions travel to San Antonio to face the Brahmas Saturday at 2 PM. The game will be televised on ABC.
