The Weekly Wire - Week 4 2025 Recap
Matchup: Griffins (0) at Sabers (62)
The Sabers continued their impressive 2025 campaign with a complete and overwhelming 62-0 victory over the struggling Griffins, improving to 3-0 and delivering their second consecutive shutout. For the Griffins, it was another long outing in a season defined by injury, inexperience, and a brutal schedule.
This win further cements the Sabers as a top-tier team in the ICFL, while the Griffins—still searching for their first points of the season—must continue building from the ground up.
Sabers: A Showcase of Depth and Dominance
The Sabers’ offense was firing on all cylinders:
QB Emmitt Johnson completed 12-of-23 passes for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns, efficiently distributing the ball to a deep receiver corps
Kole Lindholm added passing reps as a WR/QB hybrid, while also recording 4 carries for 43 yards and a rushing TD.
On the ground, Kishan Joiner, Dillon Kellar, and Jiovanni Franklin-Santacrose each contributed a rushing touchdown as part of a 6-player rotation in the backfield
In the air, Brig Johnson (6 rec, 95 yds), Milo Betty (3 rec, 101 yds, 1 TD), and Jordan Franklyn (1 rec, 26 yds, 1 TD) led a group that consistently got open and made plays.
On defense, the Sabers were equally smothering:
Josiah Lara (4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), Logan Sicilia (2 sacks), and Dillon Kellar (1 sack, 1 INT) disrupted everything the Griffins tried to do
Jace Mann recorded 2 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
In total, the Sabers racked up 6 sacks, 4 INTs, and a defensive touchdown, completely shutting down any attempt at momentum.
Griffins: Still Searching for Traction
The Griffins remain scoreless on the season and fell to 0-4, despite clear effort and a few bright individual moments:
WR Isaac Garcia was forced into action at quarterback, going 1-of-5 for 28 yards while rushing for -28 yards on 3 carries, largely due to breakdowns in blocking.
RB Austin Williams had 9 carries for -72 yards, a result of relentless pressure and blown plays
Defensively, Keagen Vincent, Chase Manning, and Austin Engum led with multiple tackles, and Devin Adams added a pass deflection.
Austin Villalobos returned an interception 72 yards, nearly breaking the Sabers’ shutout streak but ultimately falling short
Despite the final score, the Griffins continue to show up each week with effort and grit, though they remain overmatched in nearly every phase.
Key Takeaways
Sabers Are for Real: With back-to-back shutouts and a dominant win over the Matadors in Week 1, the Sabers are proving they’re not just good—they’re complete.
Depth and Efficiency Shine: Multiple players contributed to scoring on both sides of the ball. The Sabers' ability to rotate personnel and still dominate is a major strength.
Griffins Need Relief and Rebuilding: The schedule has been brutal, but the offense must find a way to produce soon. The defense, though outmatched, continues to hustle and play with pride.
Jace Mann Is a Star in the Making: Two INTs and a pick-six make him one of the week’s standout performers league-wide.
Final Thoughts
The Sabers move to 3-0 and continue building a resume that points to serious postseason potential. For the Griffins, the losses are piling up, but the heart is still there. As the Sabers prepare for their next real test and the Griffins regroup for another tough challenge, the trajectory for both teams couldn't be more different.
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Matchup: Warhawks (6) at Black Tide (48)
The Black Tide rebounded in a big way, rolling past the Warhawks with a commanding 48-6 victory in Week 4. After a narrow one-point loss to the Matadors the previous week, the Tide looked sharper, faster, and more focused—especially through the air—while the Warhawks struggled with turnovers and failed to generate consistent momentum on either side of the ball.
This win evens the Black Tide’s record at 2-2, while the Warhawks fall to 1-3, now facing the reality of three straight blowout losses.
Black Tide: Offensive Rhythm Returns
Quarterback Isaac Sanchez put together one of his most complete games of the season, going 13-of-20 for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns, showing significantly improved chemistry with his receivers
Nico Jaime led all receivers with 5 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Efrain Lopez added 3 receptions for 74 yards and a score, showcasing explosive play ability.
Marco Garcia and Tyson Summers each found the end zone, including a 58-yard pick-six by Cody Rowley, giving the Tide a score on defense as well
The run game stayed balanced:
Marco Garcia rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Daniel Lopez and Brandon Booth added supportive carries and helped manage the clock.
Defensively, the Black Tide were aggressive and opportunistic:
Cody Rowley not only had 14 tackles but also added a sack and an interception return for a touchdown.
Colton Crawford, Jeff Santos, and Naseem Eissa anchored a defense that forced 4 interceptions, recorded multiple sacks, and pressured the Warhawks’ QB all day
Warhawks: One Bright Drive in a Long Afternoon
The Warhawks once again struggled offensively, but did manage to break a three-game scoring drought with a lone touchdown pass from QB Gavin Breen, who finished 11-of-20 for 132 yards, 1 TD, and 4 interceptions
Michael Sondermann caught the team’s only touchdown and added 23 rushing yards.
Austin Baird led the defense with 11 tackles and an interception, continuing to be one of the most consistent defenders in the league.
Special teams also saw frequent action, with Carson Fisk punting 3 times for 115 yards.
Still, the Warhawks turned the ball over repeatedly and allowed short fields and explosive scores. They’ve now been outscored 135-6 over their last three games.
Key Takeaways
Sanchez Looked Sharp: After weeks of inconsistency, Isaac Sanchez delivered the clean, efficient performance Black Tide fans have been waiting for.
Rowley’s Statement Game: 14 tackles, a sack, and a pick-six make him a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Week.
Warhawks Show Flash, Not Firepower: One touchdown won’t mask the persistent struggles. The offense is inefficient, and the defense is exhausted.
Black Tide Get Back on Track: With this win, the Tide return to .500 and build momentum heading into tougher matchups.
Final Thoughts
The Black Tide looked confident and complete in their most dominant performance since Week 2. For the Warhawks, the lone touchdown ended a scoring drought, but the problems run deeper. If the Tide can replicate this execution moving forward, they could be a dangerous playoff dark horse. As for the Warhawks—the season is slipping fast unless a dramatic shift happens soon.
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Matchup: Diggers (41) at Guardians (0)
The Mini-Cassia Diggers erupted in Week 4, delivering a dominant 41-0 shutout over the winless Guardians, marking their first victory of the 2025 season. After enduring back-to-back blowout losses to start the year, the Diggers looked fast, physical, and focused—capitalizing on every phase of the game.
Meanwhile, the Guardians dropped to 0-3 and were again unable to find offensive rhythm or defensive resistance. Despite having some bright moments earlier this season, they failed to submit meaningful statistics following the game, underscoring another difficult week for the program.
Diggers: Offense Explodes, Defense Shuts the Door
Quarterback AJ Hunter led a balanced and aggressive attack, going 19-of-30 for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns, with one interception
His poise in the pocket and ability to spread the ball helped keep the Guardians defense off balance all afternoon.
Key offensive standouts:
Kalil Schroader led all receivers with 8 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, continuing to be Hunter’s most reliable target.
Austin Pelton (1 TD), Emilio Cruz-Polanco (1 TD), and Eric Estrada each contributed in the pass game, showcasing the Diggers’ growing offensive versatility.
The ground game saw Robert Bailey (8 carries, 42 yards) and Eric Estrada (4 carries, 34 yards) move the ball with physicality
Defensively, the Diggers completely suffocated the Guardians:
Noah Strunk and Matt Dozier each recorded fumble recoveries, with Strunk also forcing a fumble and snagging an interception.
Koby Espinoza had a big day with 4 tackles, a pass deflection, and 2 interceptions.
Adrian Espinosa added another interception, which he returned for 50 yards, adding pressure and field position for the offense
Special teams and defensive field position helped keep the Diggers in scoring range repeatedly. Their defense created 4 turnovers, and two fumble recoveries added to the lopsided momentum.
Guardians: Offensive Silence Continues
The Guardians, now 0-3, have yet to score a point in 2025. Despite some earlier defensive sparks this season—most notably from Tristin Kreiter and Devan Morrison—they failed to report any meaningful stats this week, suggesting another tough outing across the board.
Quarterback Brady Burch and the offensive line continue to struggle, and the lack of consistent playmakers or offensive production has kept the defense on the field far too long in every game.
While the roster continues to show up each week and give effort, the mental and physical toll of repeated blowouts is becoming visible.
Key Takeaways
Diggers Get the Breakthrough: After two difficult losses, the Diggers finally put all phases together and showed what they’re capable of when firing on all cylinders.
AJ Hunter Continues to Improve: 173 yards and 3 TDs show he's settling into the QB1 role with growing comfort.
Defense Sets the Tone: With 4 takeaways, including an INT return and two fumble recoveries, the Diggers’ defense gave the offense short fields all game long.
Guardians Must Regroup: The effort is there, but the execution isn’t. The team must find a way to produce on offense to stop the spiral.
Final Thoughts
The Diggers earn their long-awaited first win in dominant fashion, moving to 1-2 and building momentum for the weeks ahead. The Guardians, now 0-3 and still scoreless on the season, must dig deep to salvage their season and restore competitive confidence. For the Diggers, the climb continues—but now, they’ve found their foothold.
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Matchup: Aztecs (6) at Alphas (40)
In what may go down as the most shocking result of the 2025 ICFL season so far, the Alphas dismantled the previously unbeaten Aztecs 40-6, flipping the league narrative on its head. Heading into the game, the Alphas had not played a single competitive opponent, while the Aztecs were widely regarded as the most battle-tested, balanced, and dangerous team in the league.
But under the lights in Twin Falls, it was all Alphas—dominating on both sides of the ball, forcing four turnovers, and delivering a statement win that immediately legitimizes their undefeated record.
Alphas: A Team Reborn Against Real Competition
After weeks of questions surrounding the strength of their schedule, the Alphas answered emphatically. QB Austin Clark turned in a strong outing, completing 12-of-21 passes for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 2 interceptions
His connection with multiple weapons in the red zone was the difference early, and the defense made sure the game never got close.
WR Jaymond Dyer, Joel Thompson, and Bryson Hammer each caught touchdown passes.
Tanner Eldredge, primarily a return man this week, returned 7 kicks for 117 yards, giving the Alphas great field position all game long
RB Logan Bowers once again delivered, rushing 9 times for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Christopher Franco added 29 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Alphas were dominant:
Andrew Woolsey led the way with 10 tackles, while Wyatt Anderson, Bryson Hammer, and Christopher Franco each recorded sacks.
The secondary forced 4 interceptions, including one by Jaymond Dyer, who also recorded 4 tackles and 2 pass deflections
Bryson Hammer added a fumble recovery to go with his sack and touchdown reception.
The game was a clinic in balanced football—and a clear sign that the Alphas are not just riding an easy schedule—they’re real contenders.
Aztecs: Unraveled and Outplayed
For the Aztecs, this game was a collapse on all fronts. QB Colt Knigge, who had shown poise through three games, completed just 6-of-20 passes for 43 yards and 4 interceptions
The Alphas' pressure forced errant throws, and the secondary capitalized at every opportunity.
RB Austin Barber, normally a workhorse, was limited to 40 yards on 12 carries and caught just one pass.
Many team leaders and key players did not travel to Twin Falls.
The only score came on a short 6-yard touchdown run by Donald White, but the Aztecs failed to generate any rhythm or explosiveness.
Defensively, Freddy Llamas was one of the few bright spots, recording 4 sacks, and asserting his dominance at the line of scrimmage
But even Llamas’ disruptive efforts weren’t enough to slow down a clicking Alphas offense, and the Aztecs' high-powered identity crumbled under the pressure.
Key Takeaways
Alphas Are Legitimate: After facing criticism for blowing out underperforming teams, the Alphas took on the top-ranked Aztecs and dominated. They’re now 4-0 and officially in championship conversations.
Clark & Bowers Shine in Big Moments: With over 250 total yards and 5 combined TDs between them, the Alphas’ offensive leaders showed up when it mattered most.
Knigge & Aztecs Offense Falter: Four interceptions and under 50 yards passing from Knigge are glaring. The Aztecs must regroup quickly.
Alphas Defense Wins the Day: With 4 INTs, 3 sacks, and just 6 points allowed, this unit delivered its most impactful performance yet.
Final Thoughts
What was supposed to be the Alphas’ first real test turned into a loud statement win. No more questions about the strength of schedule. No more wondering if they’re for real. The Alphas are undefeated, and now they’ve beaten the best.
For the Aztecs, it’s back to the drawing board after a stunning defeat—one that will likely reignite hunger and urgency in a squad still very much in the title hunt. But for now, the spotlight belongs to the Alphas.