Orlando Predators out for Revenge in War on I-4
May 2, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
A year ago the Orlando Predators were just one game away from reaching ArenaBowl XXIII. But a 63-62 loss on the road in the American Conference Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Storm ended a season in which the Preds had won four of its previous five games.
The loss for Orlando tied the all-time series between the two teams at 23-23 entering 2011. The conference title meeting was the first matchup in the postseason for the Preds and Storm since 2003, and added yet another chapter in the extensive history of what is known as the "War on I-4" among arena football fans.
There's a new look to the rivalry this time around, though. With coach Pat O'Hara in his second season in charge in Orlando, the former Preds and Storm player will square off against a new Tampa Bay coach. Dave Ewart took over for the Storm following the dismissal of AFL legend Tim Marcum before the start of the season.
Ewart last served as a head coach in the Arena Football League with the Florida Bobcats (2000-01) after brief stints with the St. Louis Stampede (1996) and Texas Terror (1997). He has been an assistant coach and director of player personnel with the Storm since 2002.
O'Hara went 1-2 against Tampa Bay last year. The Preds split the regular season series as Orlando lost at home 62-50 on May 28 and won 75-60 on the road on July 31.
Both teams are currently riding a two-game losing streak as the Predators (4-3) recently lost its first game at the new Amway Center against Spokane, 70-58, then dropped a road game against Jacksonville, 76-55. Tampa Bay (2-5) dropped a home game against Dallas, 67-61, and last week's road game at Milwaukee, 50-33.
As we've been accustomed to seeing in the Arena Football League, it only takes one game to turn a season around.
The Storm rank near the bottom of the league (No. 16) in scoring offense at 40.4 points per game and Orlando ranks No. 11 in scoring defense. The Predators are allowing 52.9 points per game. The Preds are No. 8 in scoring (53.7 ppg) while Tampa Bay ranks No. 13 defensively as they're giving up 56.7 points per game.
And speaking of defense, Orlando ranks third in the AFL in turnover margin (plus-8) behind a league-high 16 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Rayshaun Kizer has a league-high six interceptions while Marlon Moye-Moore has five picks through the first seven games.
Kizer leads the Predators with 42.5 tackles on the season and 13 passes defended. Kizer and the Preds secondary will be facing off against Huey Whittaker, who has 62 catches for 713 yards and 12 touchdowns thus far.
Predators quarterback Nick Hill ranks second in the AFL in total offense with 328.4 yards per game. He is currently fourth in the league in passing yards per game (305) with a total of 2,135 yards and 38 touchdowns. Hill is also third in the league in rushing yards (164) and has scored six touchdowns on the ground.
Hill will line up on the other side of the ball from Cliff Dukes, who leads the league with seven sacks and nine tackles for loss.
The Preds and Storm meet up again on Friday, June 17 at St. Pete Times Forum. Next week Orlando hosts the Cleveland Gladiators before preparing for two-straight road games at Milwaukee and Iowa.
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