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Barnstormers Host KISS in HYDRIVE Arena Football Hall of Fame Game

April 18, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


DES MOINES - "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" returns to CBS Sports Network this week as the Iowa Barnstormers (2-2) host the LA KISS (2-2) at 8:05 p.m. EST in the HYDRIVE Arena Football Hall of Fame Game.

Both teams enter the game looking to get above the .500 mark and maintain footing in their respective conferences. This will be the first-ever matchup between the Barnstormers and KISS; however, there will be several familiar faces on the field. KISS quarterback J.J. Raterink was the starting quarterback in Iowa in 2012 and 2013, while Barnstormers starter Carson Coffman was KISS head coach Bob McMillen's starter with the Chicago Rush last season. McMillen - who will be inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame on Friday night - also has a unique connection to the Barnstormers, as he won an ArenaBowl championship as a fullback and linebacker for current Iowa head coach Mike Hohensee in 2006.

The Barnstormers come into the matchup on the heels of a thrilling 63-62 victory over the San Antonio Talons in their home opener last weekend. Coffman passed for seven touchdowns in the game, four of which fell into the hands of leading receiver Marco Thomas. Thomas, who is averaging a League-high 9.25 receptions per game this season, has hauled in multiple scores in every game this season. Coffman's other three touchdown passes found Darius Reynolds, who has tallied 19 receptions and six touchdowns in his last two games played.

The KISS come to Des Moines hungry for a win following a 40-30 loss at home to the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 5. Raterink has paced the offense with 932 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on the year; however, the team's greatest weapon is 2008 AFL Rookie of the Year, Donovan Morgan, on the perimeter. "Captain" Morgan leads the team with 30 receptions for 412 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. The veteran wideout has caught at least one touchdown pass in six straight games dating back to last season and is 270 yards shy of 8,000 for his career.

On the defensive side of the ball, Mac linebacker Beau Bell is playing the best ball of his career. The KISS defender leads the AFL with seven sacks on the season, four of which came in his CBS Sports Network game two weeks ago. Bell is one sack shy of 25 for his career. The Barnstormers offensive line will also have to be cognizant of defensive end Dominie Pittman, who recorded a sack last week, while Coffman will need to respect the ball skills of Romeo Pellum, Mervin Brookins and Andre Jones in the LA secondary.

For the Barnstormers, it all starts with the pass rush of defensive end Mike Lewis. With 40 sacks for his career, the fifth-year pro is one quarterback takedown shy of moving into ninth place in AFL history. If the Barnstormers are able to pressure Raterink into ill-advised throws, the opportunistic secondary of Tramain Thomas, De'Mon Glanton, Jason Simpson and Ter'Ran Benton could have a big night.

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