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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Ticker) -- Duane Butler returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown with 1:40 remaining to help the Birmingham Thunderbolts hold off the winless Chicago Enforcers, 14-3. Trailing 7-3 late in the game, Chicago (0-3) took over at its own 37-yard line and moved to the Birmingham 6 on 13 plays. The Enforcers faced a 4th-and-2 at the Thuderbolts 11 with 2:50 left, but Tim Lester hit tight end Tyji Armstrong with a seven-yard pass that kept alive the drive. With Birmingham facing a 2nd-and-goal, Lester tried to find Armstrong again in the left flat, but the ball sailed high and off the tight end's right hand. Butler cradled it and raced untouched up the right sideline for the insurance score. James Bostic ran in the conversion to cap the scoring. Birmingham (2-1) has won consecutive games following a season-opening loss to Memphis. Chicago dropped all three games of its road trip and return home to face the New York-New Jersey Hitmen next Sunday. Chicago scored first when Andy Crosland booted a 33-yard field goal with 7:08 remaining in the first quarter. The Thunderbolts took the lead for good with just over two minutes gone in the second quarter when James Bostic scored on two-yard run to cap a seven-play, 63-yard drive. Casey Weldon found Stepfret Williams in the end zone for the conversion that made it 7-3. Birmingham had numerous chances to increase its lead but kicker Brad Palazzo missed two field goals after having his first attempt blocked. Palazzo was short on a 43-yard attempt in the third quarter before his 46-yarder with 9 1/2 minutes left sailed right. Weldon completed 16-of-27 passes for 152 yards, with 81 going to Williams. Bostic had 23 carries for 67 yards. Chicago's John Avery, a former first-round pick of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, gained 87 yards on 20 carries. Lester was 12-of-24 for 145 yards and two TDs.
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