Both the Salt Lake Stallions and the San Diego Fleet enter this week five matchup coming off losses. Last week, the Stallions fell to the AAF’s (Alliance of American Football) top team, the Orlando Apollos, 20-11 in a snow globe typesetting at home. The Fleet traveled to Memphis to take on the winless Express. Unfortunately for Fleet fans, they saw their team lose 26-23 and also saw their starting quarterback fall to injury. Both teams have a lot riding on this week’s matchup when the Stallions travel to San Diego to take on the Fleet.
AAF Week Five Preview: Salt Lake Stallions-San Diego Fleet
Pound the Rock
With Fleet starting quarterback Philip Nelson out the next 4-6 weeks with a broken clavicle, the Fleet will turn to Michael Bercovici at quarterback. Bercovici started out the season as the Fleet’s starter but was benched for Nelson because of ineffective play. To take some pressure off Bercovici, the Fleet will need to run the ball.
Although Fleet running back Ja’Quan Gardner rushed for just nine yards on six carries last week in their loss, he is still the top rusher in the AAF. Fleet head coach Mike Martz is known as a passing play caller, but if the Fleet is going to have any chance to win this game, he will need to get Gardner going early and often this week.
While the Salt Lake didn’t lose their starting quarterback, they will need to have a similar type offensive game plan. Stallions starting quarterback Josh Woodrum enters this week sixth in the AAF in passing yards with just 442 yards.
The Stallions have two reliable running backs to lean on. Branden Oliver and Joel Bouagnon have combined to run for 394 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
Creating Pressure
With the Fleet starting a different quarterback this week, expect Stallions defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson to bring a lot of pressure. That starts with defensive end Karter Schult.
Although Schult was shut out last week against the Apollos, he does lead the AAF in sacks with four. Look for Henderson to move Schult around, trying to find him the best possible matchup against the Fleet’s offensive line.
Linebacker Greer Martini will have the task of stopping Gardner and the Fleet’s running game. Martini has been a tackling machine all season long.
The Fleet will need to stop the run game as well if they are going to keep this game close. The Stallions have been successfully running the ball all season long, so it will be a difficult task.
Last Word on Stallions vs Fleet
This matchup might be different if the Fleet had their starting quarterback. But with Nelson out and Bercovici in, who struggled in week one as the starter, the nod this week goes to the Stallions. Expect a big day out of Oliver in the Stallions running game this week.
Prediction: Stallions 26, Fleet 6
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
