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LA KISS vs. Portland Steel: 4 Things to Watch

May 27, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Los Angeles KISS News Release


1) WILL PETE THOMAS STEP UP?

This week, LA KISS quarterback Pete Thomas will need to step up and fill the void left by Nathan Stanley, who suffered an injury in the second quarter of last week's loss against the Arizona Rattlers. Although this will be the rookie from North Carolina State's first career AFL start, he has proved more than competent in his three appearances this season. So far this season, he has completed 15 of 31 pass attempts for 236 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Thomas will look to build upon his last week's success; in two and a half quarters, he threw three touchdown passes, including a 47-yard bomb to Brandon Collins, which was the LA KISS' longest play from scrimmage this season.

Pete Thomas finished his college career in 2014 at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he set single-season school records for both pass attempts and completions. He also played college football at North Carolina State and Colorado State.

2) CAN THE LA KISS DEFENSIVE LINE PUT PRESSURE ON THE QUARTERBACK?

The LA KISS have struggled to penetrate the pocket and pressure the quarterback this season. Through the first seven games, the LA KISS have only recorded six sacks, three of which were in the Week 4 matchup against the Predators. Furthermore, the LA KISS failed to reach the quarterback and register a sack in four out of the seven games this season.

This past week, the LA KISS acquired a four-year NFL veteran Dontay Moch to bolster the defensive line. Moch, who was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft, most recently was on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons. He looks to add speed and agility to the LA KISS' defensive line.

The good news for LA KISS fans is Portland currently is last in the AFL with 16 sacks allowed. Keep an eye on Derrick Summers, Marcus Pittman and the rest of the front-four of the LA KISS defense, as they look to put Portland quarterback Shane Austin on his backside and looking up at the rafters of the Honda Center.

3) WILL DONOVAN "CAPTAIN" MORGAN SURPASS MORE CAREER MILESTONES?

"Captain" Morgan is on the verge of surpassing two career milestones this week, which would add to his already storied career. Morgan needs just 12 more receptions to crack into the top-10 of the AFL's all-time reception leaderboard. He is also just 27 receiving yards from tallying the seventh most receiving yards in AFL history. The LA KISS wide receiver has already added to

his impressive resume this season. In Week 1 he became the seventh player in AFL history to record 250 career receiving touchdowns. Additionally, he moved into seventh place in League history with his 266th career touchdown last week.

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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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