SURGING SOCAL COYOTES SMOKE WEST COAST LIONS 38-22

by -Gisselle Romo Gonzalez

(RANCHO MIRAGE) - Quarterback Michael Karls threw five touchdowns to four different receivers and ran for a sixth to lead the maturing six-time champion SoCal Coyotes (5-1) to a 38-22 victory over the West Coast Lions.

All afternoon, the Coyotes harassed Lions’ quarterback Justin Gunn. The Liberty University product had been the leading passer in the Southern California Conference of the Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) - until he found himself in the teeth of the Coyote defense. 

The ‘Darkside Defense’ sacked Gunn four times, forced him to fumble twice, and picked him off another four times. Gunn’s first five series ended in either interceptions, fumbles, or turnover on downs. Meanwhile, his Coyote counterpart Michael Karls was a lesson in patience, and courage. Karls capped the Coyotes first drive when he scored on a keeper from seven yards out. 

SoCal immediately capitalized on another Gunn interception with a 40-yard rope from Karls to Kevin Johnson down the left sideline. After multiple defensive stops, the Coyotes’ Robert Taylor sliced the Lions’ secondary for another first-half score. 
The Coyotes finally opened up late in the second half. Karls - who repeatedly stood tall in the pocket - found Johnson again with a 22-yard dart late in the third. 


Another fierce defensive stand by the ‘Darkside’ gave the ball back to the red-hot Karls, who wasted little time extending the lead with a six-yard shot to slotback Kavan Buggs. ‘The Franchise’ Rashad Roberts put the game out of reach on the next offensive series. The Coyotes’ all-time scoring leader split the Lions’ safeties for a Karls’ fastball in traffic - then shrugged off two tacklers and sprinted into the end zone for the 120th touchdown of his storied SoCal career. 

ABOUT THE GDFL

The Gridiron Developmental Football League is a Professional Developmental Football League based in Memphis, Tennessee. This League was established to provide the community with high quality sports entertainment and to provide athletes the opportunity to participate in professional sports. We are looking at partnering with national and local area businesses in our pursuit of excellence and commitment to our community. Our commitment, dedication, and vision are set on building a firm foundation for professionalism and quality. 

The Gridiron Developmental Football League continues to strive to provide a quality minor professional level of football throughout the United States and beyond giving area athletes and fans the opportunity be a part of history. Our organization would like to thank you for your support. 

We are excited about the upcoming season and look forward to “Making AN IMPACT” in our Community. Fans can visit our website at www.gdfl.org for upcoming announcements, ticketing info, and player tryouts.


The GDFL Communications Office contributed to this article