New Orleans, LA – The Crescent City Kings survived a major upset bid from the Marvel City Tigers. The Tigers showed up in New Orleans, with a focused attitude and a gameplan that included heavy pressure and hard hitting. Their recipe was to be physical, aggressive, and force the Kings into a backyard brawl.

The Kings usually stout defense was exceptional against the run. Against the pass, things were a bit troubling in the first half. Longs pass plays have not been an issue for the Kings, but in the first half Tigers WRs were able to break free and make some plays.

Missing starting QB Jahmad Goff, the Kings offense sputtered early in the first half and the overall play was lifeless. His replacement Carl Verdin seemed uncomfortable as the Tigers brought heavy pressure throughout the first half. Everything changed, however, after he connected with WR Akeem Davis on a 57 yard strike to put the Kings in the red zone for the first time. Facing a 14 point deficit Verdin finished the drive finding WR Warren Matthews on a slant pattern for the Kings first points of the night.

Still trailing 14-6 before halftime, the Kings made a game changing move by inserting QB Melvin Davis into the lineup. The impact was immediate and on his second play he found RB Derek Williams for one of the most exciting plays of the season, a 61 yard rumble that would have made Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch proud. After Beast Quake New Orleans, Melvin Davis continued to put his stamp on the game. An imprint that is sure to leave a lasting impression on both Kings fans and players.

In the second half the Kings, returned to dominant form, stifling the Tigers both rushing and passing. With the Kings still trailing 14-12, Melvin Davis went to work. Davis’s dazzling footwork and dizzying speed gave the Tigers fits as he danced away from tacklers and continued to move the chains. He looked razor sharp, stepping up in the pocket to find Matthews crossing the field for a 25 yard score and the lead. He was not done yet, Davis, jumped, stretched, ducked, and dodged Tigers defenders all night. He capped his stellar performance by finding Matthews again in the back of the endzone to put the game out of reach. Though it looked bleak early the Kings were able to rise to the occasion to seal the season’s sixth win. With one more win the Kings will have earned their first GDFL Midsouth division championship.