Nguyen’s prep career helped her excel in Women’s Football

Prior to becoming a first-team All-American last season as a rookie for the San Diego Rebellion, Elliot Nguyen’s love for the game started in Middle School, where she played flag football with her male friends. When she got to Patrick Henry High School, she stunned her classmates when she not only tried out for tackle football, but played all four years as a running back and linebacker for the Patriots.

“She brings that same level that she had in the high school game to the women’s game,” said Rebellion teammate Knengi Martin. “Which is why she’s been one of our top defensive players.”

We spoke with Nguyen to discuss her football experience as her team get set for next Saturday's season-opening match-up against the San Diego Surge.

Fleet falls in low-scoring contest at Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (04/30/2019) The San Diego Fleet (3-5) remains winless in road games after dropping an 8-3 contest to the Salt Lake Stallions (3-5).

Ryan Moeller recorded three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble recovery), but the Fleet offense was unable to capitalize off any of them.

Late in the second quarter, Salt Lake's Joel Bouagnon's scored on a four-yard touchdown run after picking up a fumbled snap. The successful conversion gave them an 8-0 advantage going into halftime.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Donny Hageman put San Diego on the board with a 29-yard field goal.

The Fleet had an opportunity to pull off a game-winning drive, but Mike Bercovici's pass was intercepted with 31 seconds left to play.

The Fleet will get one last shot to win away from home next week when they visit the 7-1 Orlando Apollos, who already clinched a playoff berth.

Rough weekend for Football in San Diego

Despite several miscues including back-to-back pick-6's in the first half, the San Diego Strike Force (0-4) had a chance to send the game into overtime in the closing seconds, but Derrick Bernard's pass was deflected in the end zone as time expired, resulting in 53-45 loss to the visiting Green Bay Blizzard (2-2).

The Strike Force will have a another shot at ending their winless streak when they visit the Tucson Sugar Skulls in a rematch from Week 2.

Nelson Spruce set an AAF single-game record with 12 catches, but the San Diego Fleet (3-4) are on the outside of the playoff picture following a 32-15 loss to the Arizona Hotshots (4-3).

They continue their road slate this Saturday against the Salt Lake Stallions, a team they defeated with a last-second field goal three weeks ago.

Strike Force return home looking to end winless streak

🏈 San Diego Strike Force (0-3) vs. Green Bay Blizzard (1-2)

🏠 Pechanga Arena San Diego

📅 Sunday, March 24th 🕔 5:05 PM (PT)

💻 IFL YouTube 🎫 SDStrikeForce.com

Fresh off a much needed bye week, the San Diego Strike Force will be looking to earn its first win in franchise history when they welcome the Green Bay Blizzard to the historic Sports Arena for another round of indoor football action.

Fleet aims to keep postseason hopes alive at Arizona

🏈 San Diego Fleet (3-3) at Arizona Hotshots (3-3)

✈ Tempe, Arizona (Sun Devil Stadium)

📅 Sunday, March 24th 🕐 1:00 PM (PT)

📺 CBS Sports 📻 XTRA 1360

Following a heartbreaking last-second loss to Birmingham, the San Diego Fleet heads into a three-game road slate fighting for their playoff lives. With just four games left in the regular season, every contest will be critical, beginning with the Arizona Hotshots, who currently shares a second place tie in the Western Conference.

The Hotshots should be full of momentum after knocking off the previously undefeated Orlando Apollos last week. Meanwhile, the Fleet are still looking for their first win away from San Diego.

SDFN Player of the Week (March 17, 2019)

WR Dontez Ford, San Diego Fleet

(3 Catches for 183 Yards vs. Birmingham)

For the third straight outing, Dontez Ford led the Fleet in receiving yards. In last weekend's loss to the Birmingham Iron, he put up a team-record 183 yards, including two of  the Fleet’s longest receptions of the season (72 & 70 yards). Ford also became the first receiver in team history to cross the 100-yard mark, despite leaving the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Fleet falls to Birmingham on last-second kick

SDCCU STADIUM (03/17/2019) Last week, the San Diego Fleet (3-3) became the first team in The Alliance to win on a score as time expired. Last night, the Birmingham Iron (4-2) returned the favor with a buzzer-beating 44-yard field goal by Nick Novak, handing the Fleet its first-ever home loss.

Dontez Ford became the first player in Fleet history to cross the 100-yard receiving mark with his three-catch, 183-yard performance. Ford left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.

Birmingham quarterback and Chula Vista native Luis Perez threw for a career-high 359 yards, going 27-for-49 with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Next week the Fleet will kickoff a three-game road slate when they visit the Arizona Hotshots.

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SDFN Players of the Week (March 9, 2019)

Following another action-packed weekend, we congratulate our latest Players of the Week recipients.

Offense

WR Julian Stafford, San Diego Strike Force

(4 Catches for 75 Yards & 2 TDs vs. Cedar Rapids)

Defense

DB Kameron Kelly, San Diego Fleet

(3 Interceptions, 1 Returned for TD vs. Salt Lake)
First three-turnover game in Alliance of American Football history.

Special Teams

K Donny Hageman, San Diego Fleet

(3/4 Field Goals, 44-yard Game-Winner vs. Salt Lake)
First game-winning score in Alliance of American Football history.

Former Aztecs lead Fleet to last-second victory

SDCCU STADIUM (03/09/2019) San Diego State alum Kameron Kelly notched three interceptions, one which was returned for a touchdown, but the San Diego Fleet (3-2) still needed a 44-yard field goal from fellow Aztec Donny Hageman to pull off a 27-25 win over the Salt Lake Stallions (1-4) as time expired.

With 57 seconds left to play, the Fleet were hanging on to a 24-17 lead, but Stallions' quarterback Josh Woodrum completed a seven-yard touchdown strike to Nick Truesdell that cut the lead to 24-23.

Required to go for two since there are no extra point kicks in this league, Woodrum avoided multiple defenders until he found Kenny Bell open in the corner of the end zone, giving Salt Lake the 25-24 advantage.

With 47 seconds remaining, Mike Bercovici hit Dontez Ford deep to put San Diego in field goal range, setting Hageman up for the epic game-winner.

Kelly is the first player to record three takeaways in a single AAF game. Safety Jordan Martin found the end zone on defense after taking a fumble return 41 yards to the house.

In his first start since week one, Bercovici put up a team-record 304 passing yards and threw his first career touchdown pass to tight end Ben Johnson, which gave the Fleet a 18-11 lead to close the third quarter.

Off to a 3-0 start at home, the Fleet returns to SDCCU Stadium next week to host the Birmingham Iron.

Replay: San Diego Strike Force at Cedar Rapids

SDFN Players of the Week (March 3-4, 2019)

While it was a rough weekend for football in San Diego, here are some players who stood out.

Offense: WR Dontez Ford, San Diego Fleet

(3 Catches for 71 Yards & 1 TD vs. Memphis)

Defense: DB Sean Potts-Harris, San Diego Strike Force

(48-yard Fumble Return TD vs. Tucson)
First turnover and defensive touchdown in Strike Force history.

Special Teams: DB Ron Brooks, San Diego Fleet

(57-yard Punt Return TD vs. Memphis)
First punt return touchdown in Alliance of American Football history.

Strike Force aim to bounce back in home debut

🏈 San Diego Strike Force (0-1) at Tucson Sugar Skulls (0-0)

🏠 Pechanga Arena San Diego

📅 Sunday, March 3rd 🕔 5:05 PM (PT)

💻 IFL YouTube 🎟 SDStrikeForce.com/tickets

Following last week's season-opening road loss to the Quad City Steemwheelers, San Diego Strike Force head coach Burt Grossman released four players and fired his defensive coordinator. Defensive Back's coach Stefon Johnson was promoted to DC, then four new players were signed to the roster, including former Lincoln High standout Victor Dean Jr. (WR), and San Diego State alum Sergio Phillips (OL/DL).

With opening week in the rear-view, the Strike Force will get another shot to secure their first-ever victory when they host the Tucson Sugar Skulls, who will be making their franchise debut.

Fleet visits struggling Memphis Express

🏈 San Diego Fleet (2-1) at Memphis Express (0-3)

✈ Memphis, Tennessee (Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium)

📅 Saturday, March 2nd 🕐 1:00 PM (PT)

💻 Bleacher Report Live 📻 XTRA 1360

Riding high following back-to-back wins at home, the San Diego Fleet travels to Tennessee for what could be a "trap game" against a team itching to end its winless streak while the season is still young.

After a 26-0 loss to Birmingham in week one, the Memphis Express dropped their next two games by a combined six points (20-18 vs. AZ, 21-17 vs. ORL). The three teams they loss to are currently tied for first place in their respective divisions, so underestimating this squad is not an option.

Also in a first place tie, the Fleet will need another complete performance if they want to remain in the driver's seat and secure its first-ever road win.