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Arizona Snake One From The Storm, 63-62

April 13, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa, FL - The Tampa Bay Storm (2-4) fell to the Arizona Rattlers (3-3) by a final score of 63-62 as Wendall Gaines converted a two-point attempt to seal the victory for the Rattlers in front of 16,413 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum. Arizona quarterback Lang Campbell connected with Siaha Burley with three seconds left on the clock as Arizona chose to go for the win rather than force overtime.

Quarterback Brett Dietz received Offensive Player of the Game honors with a 367 yard performance as he completed 75 percent of his passes, including six touchdowns. He also scored two on the ground. Arizona receiver Siaha Burley led all receivers with 10 receptions and four touchdowns.

The turning point in the game came early in the fourth quarter as Asi Faoa recovered a kickoff of the net for a touchdown to tie the game, 48-48, and swing the momentum towards the Rattlers. The Storm had the lead with 29 second left on the clock but were unable to hold of the Rattlers on the last drive. After the two-point conversion Tampa Bay had one last play to score from the Storm one-yard line but were unable to score despite several laterals.

Although Arizona scored first, Tampa Bay took a 14-13 led into the second quarter as Rattler Kicker Eric Houle missed an extra point attempt after the first of Burley's four touchdowns. Dietz was a perfect 4-of-4 in the first quarter as he spread he ball around to four different receivers including a 35-yard touchdown reception to Hank Edwards.

Tampa Bay came up with the only defensive stop of the game in the second quarter as the defense held strong in the redzone. The Storm capitalized on the stop as Dietz connected with Torrance Marshall on the next series for a 45-yard touchdown reception to take a seven point lead. The Rattlers tied the game with 38 second left in the half on a five-yard Trandon Harvey touchdown reception. However Head Coach Tim Marcum worked the clock and Dietz found Lawrence Samuels open in the endzone to take a 35-27 point lead into the half.

The Storm extended the lead on the opening drive of the second half to 14 points on Dietz's second touchdown on the ground, a 19-yard scamper. After another Campbell to Harvey touchdown reception Marshall scored his second touchdown of the game one a one-yard run toss to the right.

Arizona maintained possession heading into the fourth as Harvey scored his third touchdown of the game on the first play in the fourth quarter. However, Faoa recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff in the endzone to tie the game at 48-48. The teams then each traded two touchdowns. Edwards scored the Storm's final touchdown with 0:29 left on the clock, just enough time for Campbell to lead the Rattlers into the endzone. Rather than tie the game and go into overtime Arizona Head Coach Kevin Guy elected to got for two and the big man Wendall Gaines took a toss from Campbell after the snap to notch the two-point conversion and seal the victory for the Arizona Rattlers.

Notes * The last time Tampa Bay allowed a two-point conversion was 4/15/06, as then-quarterback for the Austin Wranglers John Fitzgerald scored on a conversion with 0:05 lef ton the clock to seal a 60-59 victory for the now defunct Wranglers. * Lineman Emmanual "Manny" Akah and Linebacker Terrance Royal made their first appearance and start for the Storm * The 63 points scored by the Rattlers is the most allowed since last April 14 when the Storm allowed 61 to the Orlando Predators. * Veteran Nyle Wiren played in his first game since 6/23/07 against Austin. * Torrance Marshall scored on the ground and through the air for the first time since 4/14/07 at Orlando. * Hank Edwards recorded his third 100+ yard receiving game of the season and third multi-touchdown game. * Jeroid Johnson recorded his 480th career tackle in the first quarter. * Marcus Owen played in 90th career regular season game. * Seth Marler converted his 140th career PAT * Lineman Kenyatta Jones caught his first career pass for 28 yards, this is the second consecutive game a lineman has caught a pass.

Next week the Storm take on the New York Dragons (3-4) on Bill Currie Ford Field at the St. Pete Times Forum Friday, April 18 - 7:30 p.m. (Catch 47, 620 AM-WDAE). The Rattlers will host the New Orleans VooDoo (5-2) at the U.S. Airways Center at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

AFL action continues tomorrow night on ESPN Russell Athletic Monday Night Football as the Kansa City Brigade (0-6) host the Chicago Rush (4-2) at the Sprint Center - 8:30 p.m. (EST) on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. Sherdrick Bonner and the Rush look to get back on track after the Orlando Predators derailed them, 56-57 in overtime last weekend.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 13, 2008


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