DES MOINES, IA – The Des Moines Blaze advanced to 5-1 Saturday night with their 27-6 defeat of the visiting Minneapolis Warriors, retaining first place in the SPFL Eastern Division.

                The Blaze Defense continued their dominance on the season, allowing only their second touchdown of 2021, both scores coming of special teams miscues that handed the ball to the opposition inside the Des Moines 10 yard line.

                The defense recorded five turnovers on the day, two fumbles and interceptions by Matt Best, Kain Krizek, and Ryane Fountain. Jordan Smith, Robert Janssen and others wreaked havoc in the Warriors backfield all evening.

                The Blaze turnover came in the first quarter, spotting Minneapolis an early 6-0 lead. LaMar Sayles Jr. and company moved the ball down the field to answer, locking the game up at seven. Fellow backs Taijuan Blair and Jeremy Batiste also got in the action, scoring before the half.

                Quarterback Anthony Meyer and Leslie Owusu got in a rhythm, connecting five times, helping to set up a couple scores. Sayles returned to the end zone from 27 yards out to cap the scoring in the third quarter.

                “We’re focused on executing and getting better every week at this point,” said Head Coach Tyrone Tyler. “We like where we’re at but we know we haven’t peaked. We’re still learning the nine-man game and getting better as coaches and players.”

                The Blaze are in the driver's seat, leading the East at 5-1, going on the road to finish out the season with two teams right on their heels, the Med City Freeze and North Iowa Bucks, both 4-1.