The Tampa Bay Bandits continued their dominant season with a 41-16 victory over the Boston Breakers in Week 8. Tampa Bay jumped out to an early lead with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, as John Reaves connected with Spencer Jackson for a 28-yard score, followed by Greg Boone’s 6-yard rushing touchdown. Reaves and Jackson hooked up again in the second quarter, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 21-0. Boston responded with a 67-yard touchdown pass from Matt Robinson to Frank Lockett, but Tampa Bay kept control, taking a 24-10 lead into halftime.
The Breakers attempted to close the gap in the second half, adding a field goal in the third quarter, but Tampa Bay’s offense wore them down. Gary Anderson’s 11-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter pushed the Bandits’ lead to 31-13. Boston managed one more field goal, but with Reaves controlling the game and the Bandits’ defense coming up with key stops, the Breakers couldn’t generate enough offense to mount a serious comeback. Tampa Bay outgained Boston 483-204 in total yardage, controlling the clock with over 41 minutes of possession.
Tampa Bay’s defense sealed the game late in the fourth quarter when King intercepted a Matt Robinson pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, capping off the Bandits’ 41-16 victory. Spencer Jackson was named MVP, hauling in 11 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a valiant effort from Boston, Tampa Bay’s balance on both sides of the ball proved too much to handle, improving the Bandits’ record to 7-1 on the season.
