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IFL Sioux Falls Storm

Storm Clinch Playoff Spot After Win in Iowa

July 10, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm Indoor Football team punched their ticket to the 2023 Indoor Football League playoffs on Saturday night after defeating the Iowa Barnstormers 54-47 in Des Moines, IA.

Sioux Falls never trailed in the game, but also never led by more than eight points. The Storm's largest lead of the night came in the second quarter when quarterback Lorenzo Brown Jr. ran in the four-yard touchdown to make it 33-25.

The Barnstormers responded just before half-time when running back Antonio Wimbush scored from one-yard out to bring Iowa back within two points. Barnstormers kicker Gabriel Rui tied the game after a successful Deuce attempt dropped in to make it 33-33 at the halftime break.

The Storm offense opened up the third quarter with a quick score after Brown Jr. found wide receiver Cole Thurness on a quick pitch to the right side of the field. Thurness slipped, but recovered quickly and ran 38-yards for the touchdown. Kicker Austin Neufeld's extra point gave Sioux Falls a 40-33 lead.

The second half was back and forth with Iowa tying the game twice in the fourth quarter. The Barnstormers evened the score for the final time with 1:00 remaining after former Storm quarterback Daniel Smith connected on a 24-yard pass to wide receiver Dom McNeil. Rui's extra point knotted the game up at 47-47.

The Storm took the lead for good with 0:20 left in regulation when Brown Jr. found wide receiver Draysean Hudson 27-yards down field for the go-ahead score.

Brown Jr. finished the night 11-for-16 for 133 yards and two passing touchdowns. The veteran signal caller also ran the ball eight times for 23 yards and three touchdowns.

Storm wide receivers Cole Thurness and Brandon Sheperd stepped up for the injured Bryson Denley, who left the game early in the first half. The two wide receivers combined for 124 yards of total offense and two rushing touchdowns.

Thurness was the teams leading rusher on the night, carrying the ball three times for 49 yards and a score. He also hauled in three catches for 21 yards.

Sheperd ran the ball a team-high nine times for 30 yards and a rushing touchdown. The veteran receiver also snagged two catches for 24 yards.

Denley had four rushes for 16 yards and a touchdown before his departure.

Wide receiver Donnie Corley Jr. led all receivers with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

The Sioux Falls win paired with a Green Bay Blizzard loss on Saturday night guaranteed a playoff birth for the Storm. It will be the first trip back to the IFL playoffs for Sioux Falls since their first round exit during the 2021 season.

The Storm return home next Saturday (7/15/23) to host the Massachusetts Pirates in the regular season finale. Massachusetts lost to Northern Arizona (37-32) on Saturday night leaving the door open for Sioux Falls to potentially host a first round playoff game. If the Storm win at home against the Pirates and Quad City loses on the road at Tulsa, Sioux Falls would leapfrog the Steamwheelers and Pirates into the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference and would host the Pirates in the opening round. If Sioux Falls loses or Quad City wins, the Storm would be the #4 seed and would travel to Frisco for first round of the IFL playoffs.



Indoor Football League Stories from July 10, 2023


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