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Stafford, Samuels Set Records in Win

February 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm (3-2 overall, 2-1 division) beat the previously undefeated Austin Wranglers (4-1 overall, 1-1 division), 58-48, in front of 15,622 at the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday night.

Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels made three receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Samuels became the Storm's all-time leader in reception yards with 7,851. Quarterback Shane Stafford became the first passer in AFL history to throw for more than 400 yards in consecutive games. Stafford completed 26 of 41 passes for 424 yards and seven touchdowns.

Offensive Specialist Demetris Bendross led all Storm receivers with 11 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns. WR/DB Bobby Sippio had six receptions for 61 yards and a game-high 3 touchdown receptions.

The Storm came into the game next to last in the league in turnover differential (minus-5). The Storm intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble against the Wranglers who came into the game boasting a plus-6 turnover margin, the second best mark in the league coming into the game.

Sippio opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown reception on the game's first possession. The Storm have scored on their opening drive in five consecutive games. After the Wranglers tied the game with a touchdown of their own, Stafford hooked up with WR/DB Lynarise Elpheage for a 35-yard scoring strike to give the Storm a one-touchdown advantage.

Sippio capped off the scoring with his second touchdown of the game from 13 yards out to give the Storm a 21-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

FB/LB Dane Krager gave the Wranglers their first lead of the game, 28-21, as he hurdled Elpheage on a 12-yard touchdown run. Bendross scored on a Stafford pass from 33 yards out to cut the Wrangler lead to one point, 28-27.

Sir Mawn Wilson made his return to Tampa with a nine-yard touchdown reception from John Fitzgerald. Wilson played with the Storm from 2000-02. With :06 left in the first half Stafford found Bendross deep in the end zone to give the Wranglers a one point advantage, 35-34, to end the half. The Storm out gained the Wranglers, 245-154, in yardage in the first half.

Samuels stopped the Wranglers opening drive of the second half with an interception in the end zone and returned it to the Storm 19 yard line. The Storm recaptured the lead, 41-35, as Stafford found Samuels wide open for a 21-yard touchdown reception.

After a 46-yard kickoff return by the Wranglers' Sedrick Robinson, Elpheage intercepted Fitzgerald in the end zone for the second consecutive drive. DS Damon Mason ended the ensuing Storm drive with his league-leading sixth interception of the season.

On the ensuing Wrangler drive Nickerson scored his third touchdown of the game on a 4-yard sweep play to give the Wranglers a one point lead. Storm kicker Bill Gramatica converted a 25 yard field goal to give the Storm a 2-point lead.

Samuels forced a fumble that was recovered by A.J. Ricker at the Tampa Bay six-yard line. On the next play Samuels made an acrobatic catch as he took the ball away from a Wrangler defender for a 39-yard reception to the Austin five-yard line as the third quarter came to a close.

On the first play of the fourth quarter Stafford found Sippio in the back of the end zone to give the Storm a 51-42 lead. The touchdown reception was Sippio's third and Stafford's seventh touchdown pass of the game. After Elpheage's second interception of the game Stafford found Bendross for a 44-yard reception. On the next play FB/LB Umar Muhammad scored from the one-yard line to give the Storm a 16-point advantage.

Fitzgerald connected with Ramon Richardson to cut the Storm lead to 10 after a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Storm ran the clock out for the win.

The Storm get back on the road and face the Kansas City Brigade Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m. They will return home on Sunday March 12 at noon to face off against the Dallas Desperados. For ticket information visit the McDonald's Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum or call 813.301.6600.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2006


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