LA KISS vs. Tampa Bay Storm: 4 Things to Watch

Published on June 17, 2016 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Los Angeles KISS News Release


The LA KISS are ready to end their two-game road trip with a win in Tampa Bay. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PST. Here are the four storylines to look for while you watch the game on ESPN3/WatchESPN.

1) WILL DONOVAN MORGAN CONTINUE TO FIND THE END ZONE

If the season ended today, Donovan Morgan's 42.9 touchdown to reception percentage of would be the ninth highest single-season mark in AFL history. "Captain" Morgan has scored 27 receiving touchdowns, two more than all other LA KISS receivers combined, on 63 receptions so far this season. The seventh year player from New Orleans has continued to surpass multiple

career milestones. He most recently became just the eighth player in AFL history, and the third active player, to reach the 12,000-career receiving yards milestone. Additionally, Morgan's 14.1 career yards per reception leads all active receivers and is 10th all-time.

2) WILL THE LA KISS DEFENSE BE ABLE TO CONTAIN TT TOLIVER?

Tampa Bay Storm receiver TT Toliver, who last week became the AFL's all-time receiving yards leader, is having another excellent season in his 13th year in the AFL. He leads the Storm in receptions (71) and receiving touchdowns (17). The Storm's offense relies heavily on the Toliver; his 1,041 receiving yards have accounted of 42 percent of the Storm's total receiving yards this season. If the Clevan Thomas and the other LA KISS defensive backs can limit Toliver's production, the LA KISS will be well on their well to victory.

3) WILL THE LA KISS DEFENSE CREATE TURNOVERS?

In the three-game span from Week 6 through Week 9-there was also a bye week-the LA KISS forced 12 turnovers. However, the defense has been limited to just one turnover in the past two weeks. This has led to the LA KISS being out-scored 14 to 0 on points off of turnovers during that span. Forcing more turnovers than your opponent is a major key to success in the AFL. The

LA KISS are 3-0 when they win the turnover battle and 1-6 in all other games. Fortunately, this week Coach Smith's squad is facing the Storm, who have the second worst turnover margin in the league. Keep an eye on defensive backs Fredrick Obi and Josh Victorian as the defense looks to produce fumbles and interceptions.

4) WILL THE SPECIAL TEAMS UNIT IMPROVE?

4) Will the Special Teams unit improve?

For the LA KISS to get back into the win column this week, they will need to correct their special teams errors, which over the past two weeks have cost them points and valuable momentum.

In the Week 10 matchup against the Orlando, the Predators were able to ride the coattails of the LA KISS' special teams mistakes and pull off an improbable two-point victory. Even though the LA KISS missed an extra point in the fourth quarter and allowed Orlando to score two straight kick return touchdowns, they still had a chance to win, on a field goal, as time expired. Unfortunately, the snap sailed over the holder's head and rolled off of the backboard of the end zone for a safety. Last week, the LA KISS only converted one of six PAT attempts; one of the two blocked PAT attempts was returned for a safety.

Undoubtedly, Head Coach Omarr Smith and the rest of the coaching staff have been working hard to correct these mistakes. Look for the LA KISS' special teams unit to excel this Saturday in Tampa and for the LA KISS to come out on top.

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