“Iron Curtain” Grounds Express

Birmingham+showed+off+their+prominent+defense+against+Memphis+last+Saturday+during+the+AAFs+debut.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons/Rlauxmww18

Birmingham showed off their prominent defense against Memphis last Saturday during the AAF’s debut.

Kole Scheneman

The Alliance of American Football (AAF) officially completed their first week in league history on Sunday night. There are currently eight teams in the AAF. The teams are the:

  • Atlanta Legends
  • Arizona Hotshots
  • Birmingham Iron
  • Memphis Express
  • Orlando Apollos
  • Salt Lake City Stallions
  • San Antonio Commanders
  • San Diego Fleet

One of the strongest teams from week one was the Birmingham Iron, who defeated the Memphis Express, 26-0, on Sunday. Three field goals scored by Iron kicker Nick Novak made the score 9-0 at halftime, before former Alabama running back and 2012 first round NFL draft pick Trent Richardson scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to solidify the game’s final score of 26-0.

The Iron defense was solid against the Express’ offense, racking up two interceptions, 13 total tackles and two sacks, both by Birmingham linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi.

Massaquoi also finished the game with five total tackles, the most on the team.

Birmingham wide receiver Quinton Patton recorded the first 100-yard receiving game in AAF history. Iron quarterback Luis Perez was also solid. He finished the day with 19 completions on 33 attempts for 252 yards.

The Birmingham Iron take on the Salt Lake Stallions on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2:00 p.m. on TNT.

If the Iron Curtain (Birmingham’s defense) can handle the Stallions on offense like they did the Express, expect another “W” for the Iron.

Other AAF games on this weekend include the Arizona Hotshots vs the Memphis Express Saturday night at 8 p.m. The game will be televised on NFL Network. Sunday’s afternoon game is the Orlando Apollos vs the San Antonio Commanders on CBS Sports Network, and Sunday’s night game features the Atlanta Legends vs the San Diego Fleet on NFL Network.