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AFL Iowa Barnstormers

Game Preview: Iowa Barnstormers at Orlando Predators

July 10, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - The Iowa Barnstormers (6-9) travel to take on the Orlando Predators (8-7) on Monday, July 14, 2014. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CDT at CFE Arena in Orlando, Florida. The game will be available live on WHO 1040 AM with play-by-play Jim Brinson and online via ESPN3 and the WatchESPN application.

In Week 17, the Iowa Barnstormers utilized their second bye of the 2014 season. During the Barnstormers game the week prior, the Philadelphia Soul took the victory 84-48 after a second-half rally. Meanwhile, the Orlando Predators met up with the Soul last Monday for a heated Week 17 battle. However, the Philadelphia Soul prevailed once again with a 42-35 victory.

The Iowa Barnstormers and the Orlando Predators last met in Week 12 of the 2014 season when the Barnstormers hosted the Predators at Wells Fargo Arena. The Barnstormers led the entirety of the game with the Black Storm defense making advancements very difficult for the Predators offense. Iowa quarterback Brian Reader played a huge game, completing 21-of-32 passes for seven touchdowns and 221 yards. Darius Reynolds tallied four touchdown scores and 123 receiving yards. Dominating on defense with seven total tackles and three quarterback sacks was defensive end Mike Lewis.

Monday will be the ninth all-time series meeting between the Iowa Barnstormers and the Orlando Predators with the Barnstormers currently leading 5-3. The most recent matchup occurred this season during Week 12 when the Barnstormers hosted the Predators at Wells Fargo Arena. Leading the entirety of the game, the Barnstormers came out with a home victory 58-48.

Leading offensively for the Iowa Barnstormers will be receivers Marco Thomas and Darius Reynolds. M. Thomas holds the top League position in the receiving category with 128 receptions, 1,664 receiving yards, and 35 touchdowns. In the #3 position on the League leader board of receiving is Reynolds who has 98 receptions for 1,469 receiving yards and 49 touchdowns.

Defensively for the Iowa Barnstormers, defensive end Mike Lewis is half of a sack short of achieving four consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks and three away from matching his current franchise record of 12.5 season sacks. Leading in tackles is Barnstormers defensive back De'Mon Glanton with 81.0 total sacks, 71 solo and 20 assists.

Starting offensively for the Orlando Predators will likely be leader Jason Boltus who is performing at 58.4% accuracy after throwing a total of 2,711 passing yards for 54 touchdowns. However, during the 2014 Barnstormers versus Predators matchup, Boltus struggled to execute and was replaced by quarterback Bernard Morris in the fourth quarter.

Defensively for the Orlando Predators, the Barnstormers will want to watch for jack linebacker Tanner Varner who is the team's defensive leader with a total of 60.5 tackles, 48 solo and 25 assists. During the Week 12 game, Varner stole one interception from quarterback Brian Reader.

The Predators currently sit at the top of the American Conference South division. The Barnstormers will remain in playoff contention unless the team suffers a loss of more than ten points.

Don't miss out on the 2nd Annual Bacon Bowl when the Iowa Barnstormers host the Pittsburgh Power at Wells Fargo Arena. This event on Saturday, July 19 will once again feature the Official Bacon Bowl Tailgate Party prior to kickoff. For more information, call the Barnstormers at 515-633-2255, or log onto www.theiowabarnstormers.com.



Arena Football League Stories from July 10, 2014


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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