By Zane Miller

Facing the Washington Wolfpack in a game which wasn’t originally on the schedule, the Barrels made the long trip out to the Evergreen State and grabbed the lead early, going up by 30-13 at one point. However, a key first-half touchdown late and a third-quarter shutout by Washington brought them back into the game and the Barrels ultimately left with a 47-42 defeat.

Barrels wide receiver Karonce Higgins had a breakout performance with a pair of touchdown catches, but it wouldn’t be enough to keep Kentucky from sliding to a 7-3 record on the season as the Wolfpack take a winning record at 5-4.

Higgins grabbed the game’s opening touchdown, though the Wolfpack responded early in the second quarter with wideout Aakiel Greer getting his first of three touchdowns on the night to tie it up. However, the Barrels rose to the occasion as the quarter went on, with a Darryl Overstreet Jr. rushing score and a safety picked up by defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose putting the team in control. On the extra possession following the safety, the Barrels again took full advantage with offensive lineman Melvin Hollins coming in clutch thanks to a 10-yard touchdown grab.

After Washington cut the lead to 23-13, Kentucky came out of the one-minute warning firing as Overstreet found Higgins in tight coverage. However, Higgins turned what would be an already big gain into a TD, breaking a tackle before skirting around another Washington defender for the 35-yard score. Unfortunately for the Barrels, the Wolfpack would begin to mount their change soon after.

With time running out in the half and Washington facing a fourth and goal, quarterback Eric Phoenix found some space in the pocket and connected with Deshon Williams to make it a 30-21 game at halftime. The second half commenced with the Washington defense pulling a complete 180, halting the Barrels offense for the entirety of the third quarter. This enabled Phoenix and company to accomplish the rare feat of the longest offensive play possible in arena football, the 49-yard touchdown. The native of Savannah, Georgia recognized a free play and chucked it deep to wide receiver Tyler Stevens, who made the catch in stride on the way to the end zone.

Despite Kentucky getting another touchdown early on in the fourth, this was preceded by a fumble in the end zone that was jumped on by Washington’s Ijaaz Rashid for his first career touchdown in AF1. The Wolfpack retook the lead on another strike from Phoenix to Greer, before getting a crucial takeaway in the form of an interception by defensive back Machiah Lee. They soon dealt what would be the finishing blow a couple minutes later, with Phoenix finding Williams for a 35-yard TD completion. The Barrels were able to get a touchdown late to bring it back to within a possession, but the resulting onside kick was unsuccessful, sending the Washington fans home happy with the 47-42 win.

Overstreet threw for five touchdowns and added another on the ground, while Phoenix finishing the evening with six passing touchdowns in total.

Scoring summary

1Q 14:53 KEN #31 B. Delco II rouge- Barrels 1-0

1Q 10:08 KEN #12 K. Higgins 14-yd TD pass from #7 D. Overstreet Jr. (PAT no good)- Barrels 7-0

2Q 14:55 WAS #3 A. Greer 16-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (PAT good)- Tied 7-7

2Q 9:27 KEN #7 D. Overstreet Jr. 1-yd TD run (PAT good)- Barrels 14-7

2Q 7:44 KEN #5 E. Rose SAF- Barrels 16-7

2Q 6:22 KEN #77 M. Hollins 10-yd TD pass from #7 D. Overstreet Jr. (PAT good)- Barrels 23-7

2Q 3:00 WAS #3 A. Greer 10-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (2-pt conv. no good)- Barrels 23-13

2Q 0:50 KEN #12 K. Higgins 35-yd TD pass from #7 D. Overstreet Jr. (PAT good)- Barrels 30-13

2Q 0:10 WAS #10 D. Williams 4-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (2-pt conv. good)- Barrels 30-21

3Q 7:12 WAS #11 T. Stevens 49-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (2-pt conv. no good)- Barrels 30-27

4Q 14:08 WAS #32 I. Rashid 0-yd TD fumble return (2-pt conv. no good)- Wolfpack 33-30

4Q 11:57 KEN #15 D. Ollie 10-yd TD pass from #7 D. Overstreet Jr. (2-pt conv. no good)- Barrels 36-33

4Q 6:15 WAS #3 A. Greer 12-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (2-pt conv. good)- Wolfpack 41-36

4Q 3:21 WAS #10 D. Williams 35-yd TD pass from #2 E. Phoenix (2-pt conv. no good)- Wolfpack 47-36

4Q 0:43 KEN #12 K. Higgins 11-yd TD pass from #7 D. Overstreet Jr. (2-pt conv. no good)- Wolfpack 47-42

Final Score: Wolfpack 47, Barrels 42