Predators Fall to Tampa Bay Storm in 'War on I-4' Rivalry Matchup
May 5, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
The Orlando Predators lost the first "War on I-4" game of the season on Saturday night. The Predators were defeated by the Tampa Bay Storm 55-31, moving their overall record to 1-7 this season.
The first quarter started out with a long seven-minute drive by the Predator offense that ended with a Mark Lewis field goal. The Storm answered with a quick score of their own, a touchdown pass from quarterback Stephen Wasil to wide receiver Chandler Williams, giving Tampa Bay a 7-3 lead. After a defensive stop, the Storm offense had the ball inside the red zone. On the last play of the first quarter, Wasil threw a pass that was intercepted by Predators defensive back Simeon Castille, giving Orlando the ball to start the second quarter.
The Predators capitalized off of the Wasil turnover and started out the second quarter with a rushing touchdown by quarterback Justin Roper. The score gave Orlando a 10-7 lead. Tampa Bay answered the score with a touchdown on their next drive, a pass from Wasil to wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez. On the Predators next possession, Roper threw a pass that was intercepted by Storm defensive back Deonte Bolden. Tampa Bay capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown, a pass from Wasil to Rodriguez, widening the Storm lead to 21-10. On the Predators next drive, Roper threw his second interception of the quarter to Storm defensive back Rod Mosley. With eight seconds left in the first half, Wasil threw his second interception of the game to Predators linebacker Marlon Moye-Moore. Lewis attempted a 37-yard field goal with one second left to go in the half and missed the kick, resulting in a 21-10 Storm lead at halftime.
The Storm started out the second half with a score, a touchdown pass from Wasil to Rodriguez, extending their lead 28-10. On the Predators next possession, quarterback Chris Leak replaced starter Justin Roper. Leak led the Predator offense to a four-and-out on his first drive with the team. The Storm capitalized off of the four-and-out with a touchdown pass from Wasil to Williams, adding to their lead, 35-10. Leak led the Predator offense down the field and capped off their next possession with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Bobby Sippio. Tampa Bay responded to the score with a long touchdown pass from Wasil to wide receiver Amarri Jackson. After missing the extra point, the touchdown extended their lead, 41-17, and brought and an end to the third quarter.
The Predators had the ball to start the fourth quarter and wide receiver Dwayne Eley, Jr. fumbled the ball on the first play of the drive and Storm defensive back Mark Jones recovered. The Storm took advantage of the fumble with a Wasil rushing touchdown, making the score 48-17. On the Predators next possession, fullback Adrian Haughton fumbled the football near the goal line and Storm defensive lineman Frisner Nelson recovered the ball in the end zone for a Tampa Bay touchdown. Orlando responded with a touchdown pass from Leak to wide receiver Jarvis Williams, the touchdown pass made the score 55-24. After a defensive stop, the Predators added another late score, a touchdown pass from Leak to Toliver, making the score 55-31. The Storm ran out the clock on their last possession, collecting the win of the first "War on I-4" game of the season.
The Predators were led statistically by quarterback Chris Leak. Leak was 9 of 17, threw for three touchdowns, and 78 yards.
Wide receiver T.T. Toliver and Bobby Sippio hauled in the bulk of the receptions in the game. Toliver caught eight passes for 97 yards, and one touchdown and Sippio hauled in five passes for 64 yards, and one touchdown reception.
DB Simeon Castille and LB Marlon Moye-Moore were both stand outs on defense for the Predators. Castille notched seven tackles and had an interception, while Moye-Moore totaled two tackles and an interception.
Up next the Predators will enter their second bye-week of the 2012 AFL season. The Predators return to action Friday, May 18 in New Orleans, taking on former Preds Head Coach Pat O'Hara and the VooDoo at the New Orleans Arena. The Week 10 will be broadcast NFL Network.
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