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Storm Take Down Avengers 40-37

May 14, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Los Angeles - In a game that came down to a missed field on the last play the Tampa Bay Storm defeated

the Los Angeles Avengers 40-37 in front of 12,439 fans at the Staples Center Saturday night. The Storm defensive

back field played a spectacular game as it held Avenger Quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who had completed nearly 80

percent of his passes and averaged 327 yards passing the past two games, under a forty-eight percent completion

percentage and 197 passing yards.

Jeroid Johnson, ADT Defensive Player of the Game, knocked down numerous passes and corralled nine

tackles while backside corner Traco Rachal come up with a big interception in the third quarter and five and a half

tackles. Ironman of the Game T.T. Toliver took over the game in the second half with several big plays including the

final two touchdowns of th game.

While Cumbie struggled with his accuracy, Offensive player of the Game, Kevin Ingram kept the Avengers

in the game with his play. Ingram finished the game with 10 receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown.

Tampa Bay led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 23-yard Seth Marler field goal. Storm

quarterback Brett Dietz started off slowly completeing 2 of 6 passes before the Storm kicked a field goal. Los

Angeles scored quickly as Avenger qurterback Sonny Cumbie completed his first three passes hitting Rob Turner on

a 28-yard deep cross for a touchdown. The Storm ate minutes off of the clock on the following 8-play drive as Dietz

found Lawerence Samuels crossing the back of the endzone for a six-yard touchdown Strike.

Los Angeles opened up the second quarter with a 35-yard Remy Hamilton field goal after three incomplete

passes by Cumbie to even the score 10-10. The Storm were unable to muster any offense on the following drive as

Marler had to attempt a field goal from within his own endzone. The Avengers scored on a six-yard touchdown from

Cumbie to Terrance Stubbs after a missed field goal, however, two-time AFL kicker of the year, Hamilton missed the

extra point. Dietz then directed the Storm down and found Tom Kaleita wide open for the first touchdown of

Kaleita's career to bring the score within one. After an Avenger score, the Storm drained the rest of the time off of the

clock but were unable to score after a 48-yard kickoff return by Karl Williams called back due to a holding penalty.

Coming out of the half down 17-23 the Storm defense came up with a big turnover as Rachal picked of a

Cumbie pass and returned it four yards to the Avenger seven-yard line. However the Storm offense continued to

struggle as the Avenger defense held strong and forced a 36-yard field goal by Marler. Penalties by the Storm

defense aided the Avengers on a fifteen play drive that ended with a two-yard Lonnie Ford touchdown run. Tampa

Bay, one of the most penalized teams in the AFL, finished the game with 16 penalties for 78 yards. The Avengers on

had three for 24 yards.

The paced of the game changed in the fourth quarter as Tampa Bay scored three touchdowns including one

by Toliver with 0:48 left in the game. Tampa Bay opened the fourth with four-play 43 yard Touchdown drive. Terrill

Shaw ran a short crossing pattern at the front of the endzone and made a spectacular catch as Terrance Joseph drilled

Shaw in what was the hardest hit of the game. After trading touchdowns, the Storm defensive came up with a needed

defensive stop and forced a failed 45-yard field goal attempt. Toliver grabbed the missed field goal attempt and

returned it 28 yards after several nifty moves.

With under two minutes left in the game went Brett Dietz led the Storm offense down the field for the game

winning touchdown as he connected with Toliver from two yards out. Marler missed the extra point as his streak of

consecutive extra points came to an end at 48, one shy of tying the AFL record set by Clay Rush. Los Angeles had a

chance to tie it at the end of the game as they were able to call a timeout with only 0:02 left on the clock after a Tom

Briggs sack., however, Hamilton came up just short on the 47-yard attempt.

The Los Angeles Avengers (5-5) remain at home as they host Southern Division leader Georgia Force (9-1)

Saturday, May 19, 10:30 EST at the Staples Center. The Tampa Bay Storm (4-6) return to action at the St. Pete Times

forum as they take on 2003 ArenaBowl XVII opponent the Arizona Rattlers (3-8) Friday, May 18, 7:30 EST. Cath 47 on

Bright House Networks will televise the game and AM 620 WDAE will broadcast the game live. For Storm tickets call

813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 14, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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