Atlanta utilized a balanced offensive attack (26 rushes, 20 passes) to keep the Austin defense off balance while racking up 180 yards on the ground and another 145 through the air. The game stats were closer than the score would suggest thanks to the Acoustic delivering a solid passing game that saw Austin total 213 yards and four touchdowns via the pass, but Atlanta matched the four passing TDs and added another five on the ground en route to the win.
The win is a step toward another showdown with Chicago that would determine which team advances to the Legends Cup. The 31-point Atlanta victory follows two competitive games in Weeks 8 (Chicago over Atlanta, 34-27) and 9 (Pittsburgh over Omaha, 21-20). For the 2017 season, the average margin of victory now stands at 43 points a game, 59 -16.
Steam Rushing
Jessie Locklear led the Steam rushing attack with 59 yards and a touchdown in the win over Austin.
Coach Robinson got everyone involved in the ground game as eight different players accounted for + rushing yards in the contest. Jessie Locklear was again the top rusher for the Steam, accounting for 59-yards on 8 carries (7.1 per carry) and a TD. Locklear also had the longest run from scrimmage, a 20 yard burst, in the game. Brittany Dembry (35 yards on 5 carries), Lauran Ziegler (17 yards on one attempt) and Jessica Salazar (12 yards on 3 carries) all added scores with Dembry contributing two. Dakota Hughes added 35 yards on 6 attempts from the QB position.
Steam Passing
Dakota Hughes threw 4 TD passes in the win over Austin.
Hughes had a solid night passing that saw the “Gunslinger” complete 14 of 20 passes (70%) for 145 yards and four scores in the victory. Ziegler had an outstanding game, hauling in 11 of the 14 completions as well as 3 of the 4 TDs. “Ziggy” led in All-Purpose yards as with 167, more than half of the Steam total of 325.
Lauran Zigler had 11 of Atlanta's 14 receptions, and 3 of 4 TDs, in the Week 10 win.
Steam Defense
Adrian Purnell (3), seen here with close friend and Steammate Lauran Zigler, had a sack, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble against Austin.
Almost every player suited up was involved in a defensive effort that included a sack (Adrian Purnell), five Tackle For Loss (Quilla Franklin, Dembry, Keyon Harrison, Megan Bellamy, Purnell), a Forced Fumble (Purnell), and a Fumble Recovery (Harrison). A total of 10 players recorded tackles on the night.
Atlanta will next take the field when they host Los Angeles in the final game of the LFL 2017 regular season in six weeks. Until then, continue to visit Gwinnett Sports Report for weekly LFL updates.
GAMES PLAYED
Week 1: Seattle Mist (46) @ Austin Acoustics (26)
Week 2: Pittsburgh Rebellion (9) @ Omaha Heart (32)
Week 3: Chicago Bliss (93) @ Denver Dream (6)
Week 4: Atlanta Steam (56) @ Pittsburgh (21)
Week 5: Omaha Heart (6) @ Los Angeles Temptation (79)
Week 6: Denver Dream (0) @ Seattle Mist (106)
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Atlanta Steam (27) @ Chicago Bliss (34)
Week 9: Omaha Heart (20) @Pittsburgh Rebellion (21)
Week 10: Austin Acoustic (31) @ Atlanta Steam (67)
REMAINING GAMES
Week 11: Los Angeles Temptation @Austin Acoustic
Week 12: Seattle Mist @ Denver Dream
Week 13: Pittsburgh Rebellion @Los Angeles Temptation
Week 14: Austin Acoustic @Seattle Mist
Week 15: Chicago Bliss @Omaha Heart
Week 16: Denver Dream @ Chicago Bliss
Week 17: Los Angeles Temptation @ Atlanta Steam
Week 18: Conference Championships
Week 19: Legends Cup 2017