Wranglers Hold Off Stars for Key Victory, 27-17

The Arizona Wranglers overcame an early 10-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Stars 27-17 at Sun Devil Stadium. Philadelphia started strong, capitalizing on a short field for a Kelvin Bryant touchdown and adding a David Trout field goal to lead 10-0 after one quarter. Arizona responded in the second quarter with two Luis Zendejas field goals, narrowing the halftime margin to 10-6. Despite their early struggles, Arizona’s defense forced three turnovers, setting the stage for a second-half comeback.

Arizona quarterback Ron Reeves found his rhythm after the break, connecting with wide receiver Bee Lang for two third-quarter touchdowns. Lang showcased his playmaking ability, finishing with 95 yards on eight catches and earning game MVP honors. The Wranglers’ defense provided the final blow when Lance Shields scooped up a Chuck Fusina fumble and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory.

Philadelphia’s efforts fell short despite Chuck Fusina’s 301 passing yards and Kelvin Bryant’s contributions on the ground and through the air. The Stars had a chance to tie late but missed a critical field goal before Arizona’s defensive score. With the win, the Wranglers improved to 8-4, solidifying their playoff positioning, while the Stars dropped to 3-9 in a tough rebuilding year.