When Tommy Maddox took a knee to run out the clock in the final minute of Sunday’s game between the Memphis Maniax and his Western Division-leading L.A. Extreme, the message couldn’t have been more clear. Maddox, whose shocked team just lost to the Maniax by a final score of 27-12 could only say No Mas.
However, even with the sweep of L.A. (6-3), Memphis (4-5) was eliminated from play-off contention since the San Francisco Demons beat out the Las Vegas Outlaws, 14-9. The combination of wins and losses ironically clinches the Western Division playoff spots for Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, with the division title up for grabs in their show-down next weekend.
In front of a crowd of 21,191, Maniax QB Jim Druckenmiller threw 19 passes with 13 completions for 150 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Maniax also scored on a 30-yard run by Ketric Sanford, a Maniax re-acquisition from training camp who ran for 82 yards on 9 carries. Sanford replaced injured running-backs Rashaan Salaam (out with shoulder injury) and Brent Moss, out with a groin injury.
The Maniax had Maddox’s number all day, with defensive back Corey Sawyer intercepting one pass for a 20-yard return and later with corner Tyrone Bell intercepting another on the next L.A. drive. Both interceptions resulted in Maniax touchdowns. Maddox, the league-leading QB threw for just 17 of 38 passes, 150 yards, and no touchdowns. The Extreme’s only offense came from two Jose Cortez field-goals from 31 yards and 25 yards out, and later on a 14 yard run by Saladin McCullough.
This was the Maniax’ final home game of the regular season. They play their final game at Las Vegas Saturday night. The Maniax lost their last match-up with the Outlaws, 3-25.
