ARLINGTON, Texas (Florida Sports Wire) – The Orlando Guardians dropped a heartbreaker Sunday at Choctaw Stadium, falling to the Arlington Renegades 10-9.
Orlando opened the contest with a strong drive on its opening possession, embarking on a 12-play, 48-yard march that resulted in a Jose Borregales 35-yard field goal, giving the Guardians a 3-0 lead. The drive took nearly half the first quarter. The Guardians have now scored on their opening possession in all three games this season.
Arlington responded with a field goal of its own with under 40 seconds left in the first quarter when Taylor Russolino hit a 21-yarder to even the score at 3-3.
Both teams remained scoreless in the second and third quarters before Orlando took a six-point lead on the first play of the fourth quarter. Paxton Lynch took a quarterback draw three yards into the end zone for the score. Orlando’s 1-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Guardians on top 9-3.
With 7:58 left in the fourth quarter, Arlington answered with its own touchdown after Kyle Sloter connected with Tyler Vaughns for a 17-yard touchdown, tying it at 9-9. A successful 1-point conversion run by De’Veon Smith gave the Renegades a 10-9 advantage, their first lead of the contest.
The Guardians had two more possessions, but could not penetrate Arlington territory.
Paxton Lynch was 19-of-31 passing for 219 yards and one rushing touchdown. Arlington’s Sloter finished the contest with 124 passing yards and one touchdown, completing 18 of 23 attempts. Lynch also led the Guardians with 10 carries for 43 yards, while Cody Latimer recorded six receptions for 66 yards.
The Orlando Guardians return home Saturday, hosting the Houston Roughnecks at 7 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium, with the game set to be broadcast on FX and ESPN Deportes.
ORLANDO GUARDIANS POSTGAME NOTES
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Paxton Lynch was 19-of-31 passing for 219 yards and one rushing touchdown
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Cody Latimer hauled in six passes for 66 yards, averaging 11 yards per reception
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Charleston Rambo and Deddrick Thomas caught three passes each for 29 yards and 25 yards, respectively
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Lynch also led the team in rushing with 10 carries for 43 yards
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Kelvin Taylor and Jah-Maine Martin recorded seven carries each for 25 yards and nine yards, respectively
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Terrance Smith led the Guardians with nine total tackles, including one tackle for loss, while Mike Lee tallied seven total tackles
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Baylen Buchanan and Terrance Plummer registered five total tackles each, with Plummer tallying one sack
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Gerald Willis recorded two tackles and a sack
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Jacoby Jones, Lakia Henry and Tegray Scales each registered one tackle for loss
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Lee leads the Guardians in total tackles for the season, totaling 17, while Smith follows behind with 15
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Latimer leads the team with 16 total receptions for 155 total yards this season
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Borregales’ 35-yard field goal marked his first field goal of the season
