The Spring League Recap: Week 2, Alphas Review

Week 2 of The Spring League kicked off on November 4th with multiple games televised on Fox Sports 1.

In this week’s featured primetime game, JT Barrett and The Alphas played in a close one against The Conquerors. They would come out victorious with a final score of 22-17, taking them to 1-1 at the mid-way point in The Spring League’s fall season.

The Alphas received the ball to begin the game and running back Madre London was off to a hot start. Sadly, their first drive would end in a missed 47- yard field goal by Australian kicker/punter Jake Ford.

Ford had a rough start to the day but made a few great tackles on kickoffs and punts, getting continuous praise from the announcers for his tackling.

The Alphas defense was slow to start as well. Despite a few good run stops and QB pressures, Conquerors quarterback Kevin Anderson was able to walk down the field and throw a dime to wide receiver Vinny Papale in the back of the endzone to go up 7-0 early.

The Alphas would quickly answer back with JT Barrett throwing a 52-yard bomb to TE Bug Howard for a touchdown on a 1 play drive. This would be both of their first touchdowns since leaving college (not counting Barrett’s rushing touchdown during the preseason while signed to the New Orleans Saints in 2018).

Jake Ford would continue his rough start and miss the PAT, making the score 7-6. Ford would take his frustration out on the kickoff making another excellent tackle and again gaining praise from the announcers.

On the next defensive drive, Alphas linebacker Silus Stewart would come up with a huge stop on 4th & 1. Stewart had a fantastic game and made multiple big plays throughout the day.

The Conquerors would score another touchdown before halftime, but the Alphas would answer yet again! JT Barrett would again find TE Bug Howard for a big play, followed by wide receiver Deontez Alexander making an incredible scoring play. Alexander would fight through multiple defenders after a 16-yard reception, reaching out to get into the endzone.

The Alphas would not convert the attempted 2pt conversion and the Conquerors kicker/punter Matt Mengal would make a 53-yard field goal to end the half on the following drive.

Coming out of halftime The Conquerors made a switch at quarterback from Kevin Anderson to Justin McMillan. McMillan would eventually be benched again late in the game after having a rough start and getting into a fight with a rather unprofessional coach on the Alphas sideline. The unidentified Alphas coach was also reportedly harassing other Conquerors players before, during, and after the game.

JT Barrett remained in at quarterback for the Alphas in the second half and would walk his team down the field. Running back Brian Burt was able to punch it in for the touchdown from the 5-yard line, scoring his first touchdown since his college days at Ventura in 2016. Most recently Burt had spent some time on the Raiders practice squad as a wide receiver, but back at his natural position he really was thriving in this game.

A penalty would make for a long PAT, and the Aussie kicker Jake Ford would finally make his first points of the game. The score 19-17 with the Alphas taking the lead.

The Alphas followed their successful scoring drive with another great series ending in points. Barrett would find Ka’Ronce Higgins for a big play, leading to a 22-yard field goal by Jake Ford, increasing the Alphas lead to 22-17.

The remainder of the game would be very defensive with Barrett throwing 2 interceptions, both to Conquerors defensive back Ken Hike. The Conquerors were not able to capitalize on either opportunity and also managed 2 turnovers in the second half, losing two fumbles. The first fumble would be forced by defensive back Antoula Kelly, recovered by linebacker Bryan London II, with the second fumble also being forced by Antoula Kelly and recovered by Juwan Foggie to put the game away.

JT Barrett was awarded player of the game, finishing the day 18/24 with 284 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. His favorite target was Bug Howard, ending the day with 6 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. The defense finished the day with 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, both of which were recovered by the Alphas.

Overall, the Alphas had a big turnaround from being shut out in week one. Hopefully, they will be able to keep this momentum going forward when they play the Jousters on Fox Sports 1 next Tuesday.

Standout Alphas Players Week 2:

JT Barrett, Bug Howard, Deontez Alexander, Madre London, Brian Burt, Silas Stewart, Antoula Kelly, Bryan London II, and Juwan Foggie.