Predators Rally in Second Half to Defeat Barnstormers, 55-41
July 13, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO - The Orlando Predators (6-10) defeated the Iowa Barnstormers (6-10) on Saturday night in front of an electric crowd of 11,784 at the Amway Center. The game was crucial for both teams' playoff chances and it was the Predators who came out on top.
Orlando won the coin toss to open the game and elected to defer. That gave Iowa the opportunity to start with the football, but they were unable to take advantage. Newly acquired linebacker Tanner Varner gave the Predators an early spark after he intercepted a J.J. Raterink pass on the first play of the game However, after a bevy of offensive penalties, the Predators were unable to capitalize on the interception and instead turned the ball over to Iowa. The Barnstormers would strike first on their next drive after J.J. Raternink threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Darius Reynolds.
Orlando would score on the ensuing drive as Aaron Garcia threw a beautiful 31-yard touchdown pass to Prechae Rodriguez to tie the score at 7. A low scoring first quarter ends with Iowa having the ball on Orlando's side of the field, and the score tied at 7.
Both teams would start the second quarter on a hot streak, trading touchdowns in the first minutes of the quarter. Iowa would score on a touchdown pass to Marco Thomas, while Orlando would tie the game with a quick pass to T.T Toliver. Attempting to answer back, Raterink forced a pass into tight coverage and was picked off for the second time in the game by Tanner Varner. The Predators would start at their own 16 yard-line with the score still tied at 14. This time, Orlando would capitalize on the turnover, after another beautiful throw by Aaron Garcia. The veteran quarterback would hit Jason Geathers in the end zone to give the Predators the 21-14 lead. At the half, the Predators would lead the Barnstormers, 21-14.
The second half would start similarly to the second quarter, as both teams would trade touchdowns early in the quarter. The Barnstormers would find the end zone first after a fumble by Aaron Garcia. The ball was recovered by Matangi Tonga, and returned 20 yards for the score. That fumble would not stop the Predators momentum; however, as Orlando was quick to recover. Aaron Garcia would connect with Jason Geathers once again on a 29-yard pass, which was the quarterbacks fourth of the day. After stopping Iowa on fourth down, The Predators offense would take over again with Aaron Garcia continuing to spread the ball around the field. T.T Toliver would score his 2nd touchdown of the night, and the Predators would increase their lead by 13. Iowa would continue to hang around throughout the quarter, however, and with 1:56 they would cut the lead down to 6. J.J. Raterink would throw his third touchdown of the game after he connected with a pass to Jesse Schmidt in the back of the end zone.
The Barnstormers would begin the fourth quarter with the ball after Aaron Garcia's second fumble of the night, and they were able to capitalize in the first minute of the quarter. However, after failing to convert on the extra point, the score would be tied once again at 34-34. The Predators would continue that trend of the first three quarters as they would comeback with another strong response. Wide receiver Jason Geathers would score his third touchdown of the night, and the Predators would regain the lead after a successful extra point from Mark Lewis.
On the ensuing kickoff, Orlando would force a fumble, which was recovered by Mykel Benson. Benson would then finish what he started after he carried the football in on the very next play to put the Predators back up by 14. Iowa would then cut the lead once again with 4 minutes left in the game on a goal-line run by Matangi Tonga. That would bring the score to 48-41, but the Predators would never look back from that point. Orlando would lock the game up with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Prechae Rodriguez; Aaron Garcia's seventh of the day, to take the lead by 14 points. Aaron Garcia would finish the game going 18 of 25 for 253 yards and 7 touchdowns. The games key player, however, was linebacker Tanner Varner who finished the game with two interceptions and a number of big pass breakups. Next week, the Predators travel to Cleveland to take on the Gladiators.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game - Aaron Garcia (ORL) Riddell Defensive Player of the Game - Tanner Varner (ORL) J. Lewis Small Playmaker of The Game - Jason Geathers (ORL) Cutters Catch of The Game - Geathers TD with 11:12 left in 3Q. AFL Highlight of The Game - Matangi Tonga's fumble return for a touchdown with 11:55 left in the 3Q.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 13, 2013
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- Gladiators Eliminated from Playoff Contention with Loss to Chicago - Cleveland Gladiators
- Early Turnovers Costly as Sharks Fall to Shock, 62-40 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Pittsburgh Power Drop Final Home Game of Season to San Jose - Pittsburgh Power
- Predators Rally in Second Half to Defeat Barnstormers, 55-41 - Orlando Predators
- Shock Sweep Sharks with 62-40 Win - Spokane Shock
- Barnstormers Denied Victory by Orlando - Iowa Barnstormers
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