Portland Steel Drop Second Straight Contest in the Final Seconds
April 9, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Steel News Release
Orlando, Fla. - The Portland Steel drop their second game of the season to the Orlando Predators, 53-50. After a back and forth six-touchdown fourth quarter performance by both teams, the Predators intercepted a pass with :11 seconds on the clock to secure the win.
Steel (0-2) quarterback Danny Southwick completed 25-of-38 passes for 223 yards and five touchdowns. The one blemish on his stat line was the lone Steel turnover. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, Predators (2-0) defensive back Kent Richardson, made a play on a football at midfield as Southwick was looking for sure handed receiver Tom Gilson streaking down field. Gilson finished the night with seven receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
Early in the 3rd quarter, the Steel took their first lead on Jared Perry's first touchdown catch of the night. Southwick threw a strike from 16 yards out and gave Portland a 23-20 lead with 10:56 remaining in the quarter.
Southwick found a streaking Gilson for a 38-yard touchdown rebuttal after a Predators score and Portland now found themselves trading scores with Orlando deep in the 3rd quarter.
To open the final quarter, Perry caught his second touchdown of the night from six yards out and Southwick and the Steel offense were rolling with a 37-33 lead in tow and 8:37 remaining in the game.
The Predators offense answered back with a one-play touchdown strike as Orlando quarterback Randy Hippeard found wide out Greg Carr for a 25-yard score. The Steel offense quickly answered as Jabin Sambrano hauled in his second touchdown pass of the night with a leaping effort in the end zone. Portland led 43-39 with 5:20 on the clock.
Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game, Brandon Thompkins, gave Orlando another quick rebuttal as he hauled in a 48-yard bomb down the middle to put the Predators back up 46-43.
On the ensuing kickoff, Predators kicker Mark Lewis attempted an on-side kick that was recovered by Dexter Davis Jr. on the Orlando 9-yard line. Inside of one minute, Steel FB/DL Bryson Kelly gave Portland a 50-46 advantage after scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night.
With :37 remaining Thompkins, who was also voted J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game, gave the Predators a special teams gift by returning the next kickoff all the way to the Steel 6-yard line. Three plays later Preds quarterback Hippeard scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with Orlando taking a 53-50 lead with :26 seconds on the clock.
The Steel return to action next Sunday in Philadelphia against the Soul. The game at Wells Fargo Center will kick off at 1 p.m. (PST) and can be heard on 750AM/102.9FM The Game. The game will mark the second straight road contest for Portland before their bye week. The Steel to the friendly confines of Moda Center on May 7 when they take on the LA Kiss. For tickets please visit www.pdxsteel.com or call (360) 798-5496.
Arena Football League Stories from April 9, 2016
- Portland Steel Drop Second Straight Contest in the Final Seconds - Portland Steel
- Predators Outlast Portland Steel, Start Season 2-0 - Orlando Predators
- Gladiators Outlast Storm, 41-29, for First Win of the Season - Cleveland Gladiators
- Storm Suffers Heartbreaker in Cleveland; Lose to Gladiators 41-29 - Tampa Bay Storm
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