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AFL Iowa Barnstormers

Barnstormers Bitten by Sharks Again in Jacksonville

April 19, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


Jacksonville, FL - The Iowa Barnstormers faced off against the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday night at Sea Best Field in Jacksonville, FL. For the third straight season, Iowa came up short against the Sharks, falling this time by a narrow margin of 40-34. The loss was Iowa's third straight, dropping the Barnstormers to 2-3 on the season. Meanwhile, Jacksonville improved to 5-0 on the year before an announced crowd of 8,011.

The Sharks jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead as QB Bernard Morris connected with WR Markee White for a 29 yard score. The touchdown was setup by DB Terrance Smith, who intercepted Iowa QB J.J. Raterink on the Barnstormers first drive. On Iowa's second drive, the Barnstormers settled for a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Jacksonville extended their lead to 13-3 on their second drive as Morris found WR Jeron Harvey for a 16 yard touchdown. Iowa responded with their first touchdown of the night when FB Kai Brown scored on a 1 yard run, making the score 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with each team exchanging touchdowns. Morris connected with Harvey again, before Iowa countered on a 10 yard pass play from Raterink to Marco Thomas. The remainder of the quarter was a defensive battle, as both teams stopped each other on downs. In the final minute of the first half, Jacksonville finally broke through as FB Matt Marcorelle scored on a 1 yard run, giving the Sharks a 27-16 halftime lead.

Iowa came out of the locker room looking like a different team. Trailing by 11, DL Mike Lewis sacked Morris at the 4 yard line, forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Iowa LB Darnell Carter. On the next Jacksonville Drive Morris was intercepted by Iowa DB Jason Simpson and two plays later Raterink connected with WR Marcus Harris for a 43 yard touchdown to give the Barnstormers their first lead of the night 28-27. Jacksonville reclaimed the lead 34-28 on the final play of the 3rd quarter as Morris hit Harvey for his third TD of the game.

After trading defensive stops, the Barnstormers tied the game at 34-34 when Raterink found Harris in the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown. The Sharks replied with a 5 yard pass from Morris to White, regaining the lead 40-34 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game. The Barnstormers had one final opportunity to regain the lead, but their effort fell short as Jacksonville stopped the Iowa offense on downs with just over a minute to play to seal the victory.

Next up for the Barnstormers is a key matchup against their division rivals the Chicago Rush, next Friday April 26 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Kickoff is set for 7:05pm. Great seats remain on sale now for as low as $12.00 per seat. To order yours, or for more information, please call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255, or you can log onto www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

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