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Defense Is Key In Storm Victory Over Dragons

March 19, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm (5-3) defeated the New York Dragons (4-4), 60-44, in front of 13,274 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday night. The Storm defense was surrendering 56 points per contest entering the game.

Lineman Ernest Certain put the pressure on Dragons quarterback Nick Browder as he sacked him twice, Certain's first two-sack game of his career, and Tramain Jones intercepted Browder twice.

Storm quarterback Shane Stafford completed 29 of 38 passes for 258 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions en route to being named offensive player of the game. Stafford threw touchdowns to four different receivers including Lawrence Samuels, Lynarise Elpheage, Freddie Solomon and Bobby Sippio.

Elpheage had a career game en route to being named Ironman of the Game. He hauled in eight passes for 72 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. On defense he made three stops, forced a fumble and had one pass breakup.

The Storm opened the game with a touchdown just like the previous seven weeks. This week Stafford connected on a three-yard screen pass to Solomon. The Dragons answered with a six-yard touchdown pass from Nick Browder to Mike Horacek.

After Dragons defensive specialist Mark Ricks intercepted Stafford, the Dragons wasted no time as they scored on the very next play as Browder found Maurice Brown for a 33-yard touchdown to end the first quarter.

Stafford opened the scoring for the Storm in the second quarter when he found Bobby Sippio alone in the end zone from six yards away for the touchdown. Sippio has now scored a touchdown in six consecutive games and seven of eight games this season.

After Storm lineman Ricky Hall scooped up a Browder fumble, Stafford found Lynarise Elpheage for a 12-yard score to give the Storm back the lead, 21-14. The Storm extended their lead to two touchdowns after Stafford connected with Lawrence Samuels for an 11-yard strike. Samuels has now caught a touchdown in seven of eight contests this season.

Storm kicker Bill Gramatica connected on a 40-yard field goal to end the half with the Storm leading, 31-21. The Storm defense opened up the third quarter with a stop, allowing Stafford and Elpheage to put together another scoring drive. Stafford completed all three passes to Elpheage totaling 30 yards, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown pass.

With the score 41-34 in favor of Tampa Bay, the Storm began to pull away from the Dragons as Stafford found Elpheage wide open for a nine-yard score. On the ensuing kickoff Elpheage stripped the ball from Dragon kick returner Kevin Swayne and setup a two-yard touchdown rush by Solomon. The Storm took a 54-36 lead with 1:00 remaining in the game.

The Dragons answered back with a 15-yard touchdown from Browder to Maurice Brown. Sippio gave the Storm a 60-44 lead with a two-yard touchdown run to secure the win.

The Storm hit the road next week to face the defending National Conference Champion Georgia Force at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on Sunday at 3 pm. The Storm return to the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, April 1 as they take on the expansion Utah Blaze. Tickets can be purchased at the McDonalds Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, by calling 813.301.6600 and by visiting www.tampabaystorm.com.

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