DULUTH, Minn. — Ja’Vonte Johnson threw two touchdown passes in the final two minutes, including the game-winner to LeDarian McAllister with 22 seconds remaining, as the Minnesota Monsters rallied past the Beaumont Renegades 42-40 Saturday night at Amsoil Arena.
Minnesota trailed 40-29 before Johnson connected with Shiloh Flanagan for a touchdown. The Monsters’ defense then forced a turnover, giving Johnson and the offense one final opportunity. Johnson found McAllister for the decisive score, and Minnesota preserved the victory with a strip sack on Beaumont’s final possession.
Johnson completed 21 of 36 passes for 242 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. McAllister caught six passes for 78 yards and three touchdowns, while Flanagan finished with nine receptions for 97 yards and two scores. Flanagan also scored on a 2-yard jet sweep for his first career rushing touchdown.
Beaumont capitalized on a deuce and several early Minnesota mistakes to build a 20-6 lead late in the second quarter. Johnson began the comeback with a touchdown pass to Flanagan along the sideline, but the Renegades answered to extend their advantage to 26-13.
Minnesota cut the deficit to seven before halftime when Johnson found McAllister open near the 15-yard line. McAllister completed the scoring play to send the Monsters into the break trailing 26-19.
Flanagan’s rushing touchdown early in the third quarter pulled Minnesota even at 26. Beaumont responded with two touchdowns, however, and held a 40-29 advantage after Michael Hall kicked a 25-yard field goal for the Monsters.
Minnesota’s final two possessions changed the game. Johnson’s touchdown pass to Flanagan brought the Monsters within one score, and the defense’s ensuing takeaway set up the winning Johnson-to-McAllister connection.
Jarvai Flowers added three receptions for 32 yards, and Carlos Thompson Jr. caught three passes for 35 yards. Hall made three of four extra-point attempts in addition to his field goal.
Minnesota completed the regular season with an 8-4 record and three consecutive victories. The third-seeded Monsters will host the sixth-seeded Washington Wolfpack in an AF1 quarterfinal at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Amsoil Arena. Beaumont’s loss gave Washington the final playoff berth.
Michigan pulls away from Oceanside for 41-27 victory
SAGINAW, Mich. — Malik Henry threw four touchdown passes, including three to Trevante Long, and the Michigan Arsenal dominated the second half to defeat the Oceanside Stealth 41-27 Saturday at the Dow Event Center.
Michigan trailed by one point at halftime before outscoring Oceanside 21-6 over the final two quarters. The Arsenal finished their inaugural regular season with a 6-6 record and will host the Kentucky Barrels in an AF1 quarterfinal Saturday.
Henry completed 21 of 32 passes for 202 yards. He threw two interceptions but repeatedly found Long in scoring position. Long turned three receptions totaling only 19 yards into three touchdowns.
Jairus Grissom caught eight passes for 84 yards and Michigan’s other receiving touchdown. Daniel Williams III led the Arsenal with 10 receptions for 99 yards, and Ricky Weaver provided the rushing attack with 31 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Michigan’s defense took control after halftime, limiting Oceanside to 118 passing yards for the game and recording six sacks. Chris Fitzgerald was credited with three sacks, Jalen Jackson had two and Michael White added one. Jackson also intercepted a pass.
Oceanside quarterback Rudy Johnson completed 15 of 36 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He was the Stealth’s leading rusher with 43 yards and a touchdown on six attempts. Backup Mark Salazar completed 3 of 8 passes for 14 yards and another score.
Vincent Strange Jr. caught seven passes for 42 yards and both Oceanside touchdown receptions. Tajae Brooks added seven catches for 43 yards. Gunner Raborn made two of three field-goal attempts, including a 36-yarder.
The victory gave Michigan its first playoff berth and completed a two-game sweep of Oceanside. The Arsenal also defeated the Stealth 86-74 on July 10 in California.
