The West Texas Warbirds picked up where they left off in last season’s undefeated run when they opened the 2022 season against the Texas Jets Saturday at the Ector County Coliseum.
West Texas quarterback Skyler Howard passed for 168 passing yards and five touchdown passes in a 47-28 victory.
“It’s always good when you win at home,” Warbirds coach Tate Smith said. “We had a really good crowd at the hangar here tonight, they definitely played a huge role in the second half.”
After jumping out to a dominant 33-6 lead through the third quarter, the Warbirds needed to hold the Jets off after they put up 22 points in the fourth.
Trevonte Coleman was the first Warbird to score this season, punching in a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to give his team a 7-0 lead.
Howard went on to connect with veteran speedster Jordan Gandy for two touchdowns in the second period, seeing the receiver haul in passes from 45 and 28 yards out.
“I trust him,” Howard said of Gandy. “If he says it’s going to work, I trust his judgment.”
The Jets were able to get on the board when quarterback Michael Foggin found a seam through the defensive line and slipped through with a 7-yard score on the ground.
Two more scores from the Warbirds in the third quarter saw their offense flowing smoothly, with Howard finding Mike King and Jalen Childress for touchdowns to extend the lead to 33-6.
A mistake in the fourth gave the Jets some life when Mangle Womack intercepted a screen pass and returned it 16 yards for a quick score, with Foggin finding Robert Primes for a two-point conversion.
Howard found King again, this time for a 9-yard touchdown to give the Warbirds some space with a 40-14 lead.
Foggin connected with Joesephius Martin and Josh Meyer in the fourth to cut things close before a 9-yard rushing score from Coleman sealed the win for the Warbirds.
Smith credited his team’s defense for holding the Jets off for most of the night, crediting the unit for holding its opponent under 30 points scored.
Dorell Baugh-Brown and Myles Christian each intercepted a pass for the Warbirds, while Joseph Nuttal Jr. broke up three passes.
“At practice, we compete against the offense and that’s probably the best offense we’re going to see this year,” Nuttal said. “I tell the guys, when we come out here just have fun.
“We work hard during the week, so have fun and make plays and we were able to do that tonight.”
The Warbirds (1-0 overall) continue Arena Football Association play against the Wichita Force at 7 p.m. April 30 in Wichita, Kansas.
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