Aviators Ride Fast Start, Defense to 24-17 Win Over Gamblers
The Columbus Aviators collected their second win of the season, downing the Houston Gamblers 24-17 in front of 8,347 fans inside of Historic Crew Stadium. Fans were electric from the jump as they caught a glimpse of former Ohio State Football Head Coach & current Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Jim Tressel as he joined the fans for the contest.
5,000 lucky fans also received bobbleheads of the OSU great after their delivery looked in doubt following a logistical delay announced by the team earlier in the week.
Columbus opened the game quickly, moving the ball 73 yards down the field and finishing the drive with a 3-yard run by running back John Lovett to grab a 7-0 lead. The Gamblers responded to tie the game at 7-7 with 12:30 remaining in the first quarter.
The Aviators responded as quarterback Jalen McClendon struck for his only passing touchdown of the night when he connected with reciever Antwane Wells on a 9-yard score to regain the lead and make the score 14-7.
Houston cut the Columbus advantage to 14-10 before half. Not content with their four point lead, the Aviators struck just before the half as McClendon connected with Tay Martin for a 52-yard completion, setting up a seven yard touchdown scamper from ZaQuandre White to take a 21-10 lead heading into the locker room.
Fresh out of the locker room, Columbus converted a 48-yard field goal off the toe of Ryan Coe to extend the lead to 24-10. The Gamblers crawled back into the contest with a score to bring it to 24-17, but the Aviators defense stood tall as Kedrick Whitehead Jr grabbed a game sealing interception in the dying moments to deliver the home team its second victory of the season.
UP NEXT
Columbus travels to St. Louis on May 8th for a date with the Battlehawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 PM.