AFFL Semi Finals – Freaks vs TMT

In the semi-finals of the AFFL 2019 playoffs, The Money Team prepared to face off against team Freaks. With both teams residing from Texas, the accompanying pride contributed to the increased competitive nature of this showdown. The Money Team hoped to reach the amateur finals for a second straight year, and they had elite collegiate and NFL experience to try and push them to the next round. Michael Griffin, a 2005 National Champion at Texas and two-time Pro Bowler with the Tennessee Titans, joined in an effort to help the team succeed. On the other hand, the Freaks wanted to continue rolling towards the grand prize in their first year competing in the AFFL.

The game remained scoreless for the first seventeen minutes until the Freaks broke the ice with a score at the 12:49 mark. Freaks quarterback Eric Holliday found receiver Devin Brown in the end zone for the touchdown. Shortly after, TMT responded with a score of their own to tie it up. After a final drive where Holliday marched his team down and scored right before the end of the first, the halftime score was 16-8 Freaks.

Just under 10 minutes into the second half, captain quarterback Diere “Fresh” Franklin goes deep and finds Alfred McDonald in the end zone. However, Freaks answer quickly with a score of their own to take a 22-14 lead. The scoring continued to flip flop as Frankie Solomon caught his second touchdown of the day to tie it up for TMT.

After a late touchdown score, the Dual Finals seemed within reach for team Freaks as they held an eight-point lead with 1:47 left in the game. That being said, TMT will not let down as they wish to make the finals for a second straight year.

Solomon and Corey Webb perfectly execute a lateral play on first and goal to score, and then The Money Team succeeded on the two-point conversion attempt to tie the game with 23 seconds left in regulation. The second half ended in a draw.

On second down of their first overtime drive, Alfred McDonald uses his height to bring down a lob in the back-left corner of the end zone and give TMT the lead. This was the tall receiver’s second score of the game to go along with 116 receiving yards on the day.

Team Freaks had a chance at redemption, but their final drive and hopes to advance ended with a pick six for The Money Team. The game ended with a 43-30 TMT win. The Money Team now prepares to play in their second consecutive amateur final, this time against Dream Team.

Franklin led the way for The Money Team, completing 28 of 33 passes for 360 yards and five touchdowns. Team Freaks fought hard behind Holliday’s 260 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Congratulations to The Money Team for advancing to their second straight Dual Finals appearance!