The Weekly Wire - Week 3 2025 Recap
Matchup: Griffins (0) at Aztecs (62)
The Aztecs continued their reign of dominance in the ICFL with a commanding 62-0 victory over the winless Griffins, marking their third consecutive shutout to start the season. This game was never in question, as the Aztecs controlled every phase of play from the opening kickoff, executing with precision on offense, aggression on defense, and opportunism in special teams.
For the Griffins, the game was another hard lesson in a difficult season marked by injuries, youth, and rebuilding. Despite a few individual efforts, the team was unable to sustain drives or slow the Aztecs' relentless pace.
Aztecs: Clinical, Balanced, and Ruthless
The Aztecs' offense wasted no time setting the tone:
QB Colt Knigge threw for 41 yards and a touchdown, going 5-of-8, while also tossing an interception
WR James Hull also contributed at quarterback, going 1-of-2 for 22 yards and a touchdown, and caught 5 passes for 41 yards and a score, highlighting his versatility
RB Austin Barber delivered another dominant performance with 9 carries for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns, continuing his streak as one of the league's most productive backs
RB Chris Ackerman added 37 yards and a rushing TD, and Kai Kovick and Porter Grow each contributed in the air and ground games.
On defense, the Aztecs were utterly overwhelming:
DL Wyatt Johnson led the charge with 2 sacks, while Freddy Llamas, Brad Thomas, and Edwin Lara each added sacks of their own
Kory Peterman, Hunter Leatherman, and Daniel Ghormley each recorded interceptions—Leatherman returning his for a touchdown
The defense also scored directly on a safety by Llamas, who continues to cement himself as one of the league's most disruptive linemen
In total, the Aztecs not only kept the Griffins scoreless but scored on offense, defense, and special teams.
Griffins: Effort Without Reward
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Griffins showed continued commitment and heart. Unfortunately, they once again struggled to gain offensive traction:
QB Austin Williams completed 3-of-12 passes for just 18 yards and threw 3 interceptions, while rushing for 5 yards on 7 carries
WR Keagen Vincent had 3 receptions for 25 yards but was mostly neutralized by tight Aztec coverage
The entire team managed just -13 net rushing yards, a result of consistent backfield penetration and broken plays
Defensively, the Griffins had a few standout efforts:
Jonah Hirn led the team with 5 tackles, an interception, and a blocked kick, showcasing elite special teams awareness
Keagen Vincent, Nick Ellis, and Justin Mulligan also contributed defensively with multiple tackles each.
Still, the pressure was relentless, and the margin for error was non-existent.
Key Takeaways
Aztecs are Undeniably the Real Deal: Now 3-0 with zero points allowed, this team has separated itself early as the most balanced and dangerous squad in the ICFL.
Barber and Llamas Continue to Lead: Barber racks up yards with ease, and Llamas now has 6 sacks and a safety on the year.
Griffins’ Fight Continues: While the scoreboard has been unforgiving, the Griffins have yet to quit. As their young roster gains reps, the long-term growth is the true priority.
Defensive Playmakers Galore: The Aztecs’ 3-interception performance, two of which led to points, showcases the defense's ability to turn momentum instantly.
Final Thoughts
The Aztecs remain undefeated and untouched through three weeks, while the Griffins continue to battle through one of the toughest schedules in the league. For the Aztecs, tougher matchups lie ahead. For the Griffins, the focus remains: stay in the fight, learn from every rep, and build toward the future.
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Matchup: Matadors (13) at Black Tide (12)
In one of the closest and most physical matchups of the season so far, the Matadors escaped Columbia with a hard-fought 13-12 victory over the Black Tide, thanks to timely scoring and just enough defensive resistance. The game lived up to its billing as a clash of two playoff-caliber programs trying to bounce back from early-season inconsistencies.
Matadors: Just Enough to Win
Quarterback Kadun Allen stepped up once again for the Matadors, going 14-of-23 for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns, though he did throw 2 interceptions
Despite some stalled drives and turnovers, Allen spread the ball efficiently and connected with key playmakers at critical moments.
Grant Roberts was a steady presence with 3 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, continuing to be one of Allen's most reliable targets.
Daniel Osmer added 3 catches for 19 yards and a touchdown, while Brandon Park (3 catches, 68 yards) and Gabe Schaffer (3 catches, 20 yards) helped stretch the field
The run game was quiet, with Matthew Garner and Allen combining for just 17 rushing yards on 8 attempts.
The Matadors' defense held strong in the red zone and limited the explosive Black Tide offense to two scores. Though no individual defender recorded tackles on the official sheet, the collective effort was enough to force crucial stops when it mattered.
Black Tide: Ground Game Dominates, But Points Come Up Short
The Black Tide offense leaned heavily on its bruising ground game and nearly came away with the win:
RB Marco Garcia was electric, carrying the ball 21 times for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. He consistently moved the chains and was the heartbeat of the Tide offense
QB Isaac Sanchez threw 31 passes, completing 17 for 194 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown and tossed one interception, highlighting the team's continuing struggles in the passing game
WR Nico Jaime had a team-high 8 receptions for 109 yards, while Tyson Summers added 32 yards on 4 catches, helping push the ball downfield
Despite the statistical edge, the Black Tide couldn't convert on a key extra point and were stopped on several pivotal drives late in the game. A missed PAT proved to be the ultimate difference in the one-point loss.
Defensively, Ryan Carlen led the unit with 7 tackles, and Colton Crawford, Naseem Eissa, and Cody Rowley contributed across the board, though the defense couldn't get the one final stop they needed
Key Takeaways
Matadors Find a Way: It wasn’t clean or flashy, but the Matadors did just enough offensively and held their ground defensively to gut out a win.
Marco Garcia Deserves Spotlight: With nearly 160 rushing yards, Garcia carried the Tide offense and proved he’s one of the most dangerous backs in the league.
Sanchez Still Searching for Rhythm: With just 1 TD over the last two games and another INT this week, the Tide need more from their veteran QB in crunch time.
Red Zone & PATs Matter: One missed extra point was the difference, a painful reminder of how crucial every play is in a tight game.
Final Thoughts:
The Matadors move to 2-1, grinding out a tough win on the road and proving they can win in multiple ways. The Black Tide, meanwhile, fall to 1-2 with their second one-score loss of the season, despite impressive rushing production. As both teams prepare for Week 4, this game will be remembered for its grit, tension, and razor-thin margin.
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Matchup: Alphas (44) at Warhawks (0)
The Alphas continued their early-season streak of blowout victories, routing the Warhawks 44-0 and posting their third consecutive shutout. With this win, the Alphas move to 3-0 and have now outscored opponents 160-0 through three games.
However, there’s an elephant in the room that can't be ignored: the Alphas have yet to play a single competitive team. Their first three matchups came against the Guardians, Griffins, and now Warhawks—teams that have collectively not scored a point against any other opponent, except the Warhawks scoring only on the Griffins. While the Alphas have been dominant on paper, the true test of their legitimacy has yet to come.
Alphas: Efficient and Explosive—But Still Unproven
Quarterback Tanner Eldredge continued his high-powered return, completing 10-of-20 passes for 241 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 1 interception and 2 successful 2-point conversions
His ability to find multiple targets and extend plays made the difference yet again.
Victor Santos led the receiving corps with 3 catches for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns, torching the Warhawks secondary for explosive plays.
Bryson Hammer added 4 receptions for 45 yards and a score, while Logan Bowers (2 catches, 53 yards, 2 TDs) continued to show why he’s one of the league’s most versatile offensive threats
On the ground, Christopher Franco rushed 12 times for 105 yards, leading a balanced offensive attack.
The defense put in another complete performance, led by:
Andrew Woolsey with 13 tackles and an interception
Isaiah Little (1 sack), Taven Lozada, and Josh Wilkinson each contributing to a 4-sack day
Juan Blancas, Christopher Franco, and Jaymond Dyer adding pass deflections and lockdown coverage
Simply put, the Alphas are executing on all fronts—but again, the strength of schedule remains a major caveat.
Warhawks: Outmatched and Out of Rhythm
After a respectable Week 1 win and a brutal loss to the Aztecs in Week 2, the Warhawks hoped to reset and challenge the Alphas. Instead, they were overwhelmed again, both offensively and defensively.
QB Gavin Breen went 5-of-22 for just 46 yards and 2 interceptions, with zero passing touchdowns
Michael Sondermann had the only notable production on the ground, rushing 11 times for 53 yards—but no other rusher made an impact.
In total, the Warhawks managed less than 100 yards of offense and turned the ball over multiple times.
Defensively, Austin Baird once again led with 9 tackles, while Cayden Hill and Regan Sondermann contributed in coverage. Despite their efforts, the unit was frequently on the field and unable to slow the Alphas' deep-passing efficiency.
Key Takeaways
Alphas Still Haven’t Been Tested: Three blowout wins, zero points allowed, but no games against a top-half opponent. We still don’t know how this team performs under pressure.
Tanner Eldredge Looks Sharp: With 11 TD passes in two games and 600+ yards already, Eldredge is stacking an impressive stat line—but meaningful resistance is coming.
Victor Santos’ Speed is Game-Breaking: His deep-play ability is opening up the field for everyone else.
Warhawks Must Regroup Fast: Back-to-back shutouts have exposed major weaknesses in protection, quarterback play, and game planning. Their Week 1 win over the Griffins now looks like a mirage in hindsight.
Final Thoughts:
The Alphas are undefeated and untouched, but the real narrative is about who they’ve played. Until they face a team with a winning record and proven talent, the jury remains out on how good this team actually is.
For the Warhawks, it’s back to the drawing board. After two blowout losses in a row, they need to regroup before the season slips away.
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Matchup: Sabers (28) at Diggers (0)
The Sabers continued their strong start to the 2025 season, traveling to Twin Falls and earning a convincing 28-0 shutout victory over the Mini-Cassia Diggers. Now sitting at 2-0, the Sabers have followed up their impressive overtime win against the defending champion Matadors with another complete performance—this time led by a suffocating defense and a well-rounded passing attack.
Meanwhile, the Diggers dropped to 0-2, still seeking offensive rhythm and chemistry after rejoining the ICFL this season. Despite flashes of individual talent, they were held scoreless for the second consecutive week.
Sabers: Balanced, Physical, and Getting Better Each Week
Quarterback Emmitt Johnson delivered an efficient outing, going 17-of-38 for 165 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while also converting two 2-point attempts
Though not explosive, the Sabers moved the ball methodically and found success spreading it across multiple receivers.
Top offensive performances included:
Brig Johnson: 5 receptions, 55 yards, 1 touchdown
RJ Williams: 5 receptions, 25 yards, 1 touchdown
Milo Betty: 3 receptions, 48 yards, 1 touchdown
The run game wasn’t leaned on heavily, but Morris Bunn provided a solid 48 yards on 10 carries, and Sunny Day chipped in with 16 yards before a lost fumble
Defensively, the Sabers were dominant:
Dillon Kellar and Louie Anguiano each recorded 12 tackles, with Kellar adding 1.5 sacks and Anguiano forcing a fumble
Logan Sicilia had 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks, causing havoc in the backfield.
Jace Mann, Joe Anguiano, and Josiah Lara all contributed to a relentless pass rush that held the Diggers to just 57 passing yards and -1 net rushing yards
With four total sacks, multiple turnovers, and a defensive score from Louie Anguiano on a fumble recovery, the Sabers proved they’re just as dangerous on defense as they are methodical on offense.
Diggers: Struggles Continue Despite Flashes of Potential
The Diggers have now lost their first two games by a combined score of 83-6, and while they’re showing moments of effort and toughness, they have yet to find consistency on either side of the ball.
QB AJ Hunter threw for 57 yards on 7-of-15 passing, but was picked off twice and didn’t record a touchdown
The rushing attack was non-existent, combining for 24 attempts and only 44 total rushing yards across multiple players, most of which were negated by sacks and negative runs
Kalil Schroader and Austin Pelton led the team in receiving, but neither surpassed 20 yards.
Defensively, Tyler Williams was a standout with 11 tackles and a sack, and Boe Boston added 7 tackles and a sack. The unit forced one fumble and one interception but was simply overpowered by the Sabers’ time of possession and depth
Key Takeaways
Sabers Prove Their Matadors Win Was No Fluke: Another complete performance shows that this team is legit. They control the pace, play clean football, and dominate on defense.
Sabers' Defense Is Championship-Caliber: With playmakers like Kellar, Sicilia, Anguiano, and Mann, this group has shown they can dictate games.
Diggers Need Offensive Answers: The line play and quarterback protection must improve to unlock any consistency from Hunter and his weapons.
Momentum Is Building in the Sabers Locker Room: With two statement wins to start the year, they’re quickly becoming a team no one wants to face.
Final Thoughts:
The Sabers took care of business on the road and move to 2-0, looking every bit like a contender. The Diggers, still searching for their first win, will need to regroup and find answers fast before the season slips out of reach. For now, the Sabers are rising steadily—one dominant step at a time.