The first time the Flame Knights and the Pecs Eagles faced each other on March 25, the Knights came out on top 20-13. Five weeks later, both teams went into the game tied for second place. The Knights narrowly edged out the Gators 40-39 in a close game that came down to the very last play, as time ran out during San Diego American Flag Football League action on May 6.

The Gators kicked off a long kick to the 10-yard line. The Knights’ Brian Wilburn caught the kick and ran it back 20 yards for a first down at the 30-yard line.

The Knights’ Joe Coleburn took a short flick for a modest 2-yard gain, but Bruno Lemaitre sacked the Knights quarterback for an incomplete to bring it to third down and 8. On the next play, Wilburn caught the ball for another first down. The Knights threw a long pass, which Wilburn caught at the 2-yard line for first and goal. Coleburn took a short flick to score as the Knights led 6-0.

The Gators’ offense took the field as John Bailey caught a short pass at the 30-yard line for the first down. Pressure on Gators’ quarterback Dave DiGiacomo caused him to throw a long pass, which was intercepted by the Knights’ Curtis Gammons at the 2-yard line. Eric Gorman then caught a long pass, narrowly avoiding a tackle, and ran from the 30-yard line for a touchdown and a 12-0 Knights lead.

The Gators got their offense going during their next possession. David Valenzuela caught a short pass after a successful fake for a 6-yard gain. Julius William then caught a medium pass at the 40-yard line, and ran 10 more yards for a first down at the 30-yard line. Valenzuela then caught a pass at the 10-yard line and managed to gain 5 more yards for a first and goal. C. Key caught the short pop pass for the first Gators’ score. After a failed conversion attempt, the Knights’ lead was cut to 12-6.

During the next possession, the Gators’ defense put more pressure on and caused two missed passes for a fourth down and 8. Wilburn caught a long pass for the third Knights’ touchdown, bringing their lead to 18-6 after another failed conversion attempt.

DiGiacomo dodged several tackles and ran the ball in for the Gators’ second score, as Steve Cramsie caught the pass for a successful conversion, cutting the Knights’ lead to 18-13.

Stepping up their defense, Williams sacked Gammons, for a fourth down and 10. Wilburn caught a long bomb in the end zone for the Knights’ fourth score, as Anderson caught the conversion pass to extend their lead to 26-13.

After the Gators scored another touchdown, the Knights’ lead was cut to 26-19 at halftime.

After a few plays in the second half, Valenzuela caught a short pass again down the middle for a first down at the 20-yard line for the Gators, and then caught a short pass down the middle for a touchdown. A successful conversion tied the game at 26-26.

After a few plays, Anderson caught a short pass in the end zone to regain the lead for the Knights. A successful conversion pass caught by Coleburn brought their lead to 33-26.

During the next possession, Gators quarterback DiGiacomo ran the ball for a first down at the 20-yard line. Three missed passes later and the Gators had a fourth down and 10 at the 20-yard line. Deciding to go for it, Williams caught the pass and ran, but was stopped at the 5-yard line for a turnover. An interception by Valenzuela in the next play resulted in another touchdown for the Gators. A successful conversion pass tied the game again at 33-33.

Several plays later, Gammons ran the ball and made a first down at the 20-yard line. Anderson caught the next pass for the score. After the conversion pass to Eric Gorman, The Gators led 40-33 at the two-minute warning.

The Gators had one last chance to tie the game as time was ticking down. A successful pass to Key resulted in a first down at the 40-yard line. Cramsie caught the next short pass for another first down at the 20-yard line.

The Knights stepped up their defense, covering the receivers instead of rushing the quarterback. This added time gave the Gators free reign to find the hole and complete a long pass to Valenzuela for a touchdown. Trailing 40-39, the Gators attempted a 2-point conversion to come from behind and win the game, but the pass was incomplete.

The Knights move up to second place with the victory, improving to 4-2 overall, while the Gators slip to 3-3, tied for third place.

In the second game of the day, the Gladiators challenged the Eagles, but failed to topple the top-ranked team in the league. The Eagles won 21-14, securing a playoff birth. The Eagles remain in first place with a 5-1 record, while the Gladiators slip to 3-3, tied for third place.

In the final game of the day, the Hurricanes and the Longhorns competed to climb out of their tie for last place. The Hurricanes walked away with a decisive 36-14 victory. The Hurricanes move up to fifth place with a 2-4 record, while the Longhorns remain at the bottom of the standings at 1-5.