
Predators Start Season 4-0 with Victory over LA KISS
Published on April 23, 2016 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release

Greg Carr of the Orlando Predators vs. the LA KISS
(Orlando Predators, Credit: Brion Price Photography)
ORLANDO - The Orlando Predators (4-0) opened the season with their fourth straight victory on Saturday night, knocking off the LA KISS (2-2) by final score of 43-40 in front of crowd of 10,127 at the Amway Center.
Quarterback Randy Hippeard spread the ball around as he hooked up with four different receivers for scores. The fourth-year signal caller finished the night completing 22-of-32 pass attempts for 273 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Brandon Thompkins paced the receiving corps with seven receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
The Predators defense registered four stops in the game and the effort was led by defensive back Varmah Sonie, who posted two interceptions to go along with 4.5 total tackles. Linebacker Terence Moore added five total tackles with one stop for loss and another interception. Defensive linemen Willie McGinnis, Darryl Cato-Bishop, and Mike Lewis also combined for three sacks on the night.
The teams traded scores to open the game as LaMark Brown scored from two yards out on a screen from Hippeard following a one-yard touchdown run by LA's Rory Nixon. Sonie made a leaping interception on the next KISS possession and the Predators promptly capitalized on the turnover, scoring off a leaping 11-yard touchdown reception by Greg Carr to build a 13-7 lead.
The KISS found the end zone on an eight-yard reception by DJ Stephens, but Orlando quickly regained a 19-14 lead off a 22-yard catch-and-run by Brandon Thompkins. Stephens scored on a 33-yard reception for the KISS a series later, but Mark Lewis kept the Predators ahead off a 21-yard field goal for a 22-21 halftime lead.
The Predators came storming out of the gates with three unanswered scores to start the third quarter, building a 43-21 lead beginning with a five-yard touchdown reception by Larry Brackins. On the following KISS possession, Stanley fumbled the snap and defensive end Mike Lewis recovered the loose ball for Orlando. Thompkins converted the turnover into points, taking a short reception 44 yards to the end zone for the score. The ensuing kickoff by Mark Lewis ricocheted off the nets and bounced back into the field of play, where it was recovered by Brackins in the end zone for the score.
LA struck back with three unanswered scores of their own in the fourth quarter, as Stanley hit DJ Stephens for a 15-yard touchdown before hooking up with Donovan Morgan for two more scores. However, Orlando would successfully recover LA's onside kick attempt and proceeded to run out the clock to seal the victory.
The Predators return to the road in Week 5, traveling to play the Cleveland Gladiators on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando QB Randy Hippeard
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando DB Varmah Sonie
J.LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME: Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: 33-yard touchdown reception by LA WR DJ Stephens (Q2 | 10:34)
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME: 44-yard TD reception by Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins (Q3 | 5:02)
Images from this story
![]() Brandon Thompkins of the Orlando Predators Runs vs. the LA KISS (Brion Price Photography) |
![]() Greg Carr of the Orlando Predators vs. the LA KISS (Brion Price Photography) |
Arena Football League Stories from April 23, 2016
- Sharks Fall to Rattlers in Overtime Thriller, 75-68 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Rattlers Defeat the Sharks in Overtime, 75 - 68 - Arizona Rattlers
- Predators Start Season 4-0 with Victory over LA KISS - Orlando Predators
- Gladiators Fall Short in Philadelphia, 67-50 - Cleveland Gladiators
- Strong Second Half Leads Soul to Victory, 67-50 - Philadelphia Soul
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