Georgia Force (10-2) clinch third straight playoff berth with 52-38 win
May 26, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
Georgia Force (10-2) clinched their third consecutive playoff berth with a 52-38 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm (5-7). The 2007 Georgia Force continued re-writing the team's record book as four more marks were either tied or surpassed in the game. Offensive Player of the Game, WR Chris Jackson, hauled in 13 receptions for 186 yards with three touchdowns in the win. His 186 receiving yards gives him 1,505 yards on the season, which surpasses his previous single-season team-high of 1,438 set in 2006. QB Chris Greisen threw for four touchdowns on the night and improved his season total to 89, which breaks the team record for touchdown passes in a single-season (85: Matt Nagy, 2006). Defensive Player of the Game, DL Jermaine Smith collared 1.5 tackles, one sack and one interception (14 yards) returned for a touchdown. Smith's sack marked his 6.5 of the season, passing his previous personal and team-best six (2006). DB Reggie Doster earned Ironman of the Game honors with his team-high seven tackles and three interceptions. His three interceptions marks the fourth-time in Force history a player has recorded three interceptions in a single-game (last time: Chris Brown at Las Vegas, 2/17/06).
The first quarter ended with the Force leading the Storm, 7-3. Georgia's first possession of the game finished one-yard short of a touchdown as FB/LB Matt Huebner fumbled and the Tampa Bay defense recovered the ball at the three-yard line. The Storm were able to convert the turnover into three points as K Seth Marler drilled a 35-yard field goal for Tampa's only points in the half. Georgia's first points of the game were produced by a one-yard touchdown run by Greisen. The Force defense created a turnover when DL Jermaine Smith batted a QB Brett Dietz pass and DB Reggie Doster pulled down the interception. The interception was Doster's first as a member of the Force.
At the end of the first half, Georgia led Tampa Bay 24-17 as the teams went to the locker rooms. Greisen connected with WR Troy Bergeron on a 13-yard pass for the first points of the quarter. The two teams would trade scores for the remainder of the quarter as Force K Carlos Martinez knocked a 38-yard field goal through the uprights as the first half ended.
Tampa Bay outscored Georgia 14-7 in the third quarter and the two teams were tied at 31 heading into the final quarter. The Storm scored on a five-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Torrance Marshall on Tampa Bay's first possession. Georgia turned the ball over for the second time in the game when Greisen was intercepted by DB Jeroid Johnson in the endzone. Dietz capitalized on the turnover with a one-yard touchdown run to give the Storm a 31-24 lead. The Force responded with a 23-yard strike from Greisen to Jackson. The touchdown marked Greisen's 86th of the season, which breaks the single-season touchdown pass record of 85 set by former Force QB Matt Nagy in 2006.
Georgia's defense stepped-up in the fourth quarter as they created three turnovers, which helped the Force outscore the Storm 21-7 in the final quarter en route to a 52-38 victory. Doster intercepted Dietz two times in the final quarter and Smith hauled in an interception and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 26, 2007
- Dallas Becomes First Team to Clinch Division Title - AFL I
- Gowins' Game-Winning Kick Sends Rampage to 58-56 Win over Crush - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Georgia Force (10-2) clinch third straight playoff berth with 52-38 win - Georgia Force
- Destroyers Fall to Desperados, 56-47 - Columbus Destroyers
- Brigade salutes troops, secures edge in playoff picture with 62-56 win - Kansas City Brigade
- Rush Looks To Clinch Playoff Spot - Chicago Rush
- Rampage Return Home to Host Colorado Crush Tomorrow - Grand Rapids Rampage
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.
