2-2 Jersey Flight Could Have Easily Be 4-0

The Jersey Flight are playing their first season in the American Arena League (AAL). They currently sit at a 2-2 record following Friday night’s 49-13 win over the Rochester Kings. Their record doesn’t indicate what kind of team they are, however. Jersey could easily be 4-0.

So Close, Not So Far

In their opening game, they lost to the Kings, but it was after they went for a game-winning two-point conversion in OT. The conversion failed, and they fell 40-39. They won their second game over the Maryland Warriors of Elite Indoor Football (EIF), 71-12. 

Things got interesting in their third game against the Richmond Roughriders. After back-to-back interceptions from Richmond, one going for a touchdown, plus several other touchdown drives, Jersey found themselves up 43-19 at halftime. 

It should’ve been a lead they held on to, but they didn’t. Their offensive line gave in to Richmond’s defense and Stephen Panasuk was sacked several times in the fourth quarter. Before anyone could blink, the game was tied at 50. 

The final mistake, a pick-six from Malique Johnson, gave Richmond the 56-50 victory. In all four games, Jersey has played excellent football on all cylinders. Their offense has clicked well, their defense shuts down opposing offenses easily, and they also do well in the special teams game.

Jersey plays five more games this season, one against the Kings and one against the Roughriders. If they can win out, they may have a chance at the postseason. However, it will be difficult as they will also be competing for a spot with the Georgia Doom, Carolina Energy and Rochester.

Jersey is one of several teams that have joined the American Arena League for its inaugural season. The league came about in April 2017 when the Can-AM Indoor Football League and Arena Pro Football decided to join together to create one super league. A couple teams from the Supreme Indoor Football (SIF) have also joined the league.

The season kicked off on March 17 and will conclude with the title game on Saturday, June 30. It will be hosted by the highest-seeded team remaining in the postseason.