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Storm Clinch Playoff Berth

June 10, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa Bay - The Tampa Bay Storm defeated National Conference rival Philadelphia Soul 69-59 in front of 17,654 as the team clinched a spot in the playoffs after starting the season 0-5. Ironman of the Game Lincoln Kennedy scored his first career touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Storm a 10-point lead. After a missed filed goal attempt Kennedy recovered a Philadelphia fumble and returned it four yards for a touchdown.

Storm rookie quarterback Brett Dietz continued to move the offense as he threw for seven touchdowns and led team to a score on every offensive possession. Dietz has thrown for 15 touchdowns over the past two weeks. Meanwhile fellow rookie Hank Edwards followed last week's stellar performance with eight receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

Lawrence Samuels continued to add to his resume as he collected his 150th and 151st career receiving touchdowns on a six catch 76-yard effort. His 76 yards receiving put him over 1,000 on the season as Tampa Bay became the first team in the Arena League to boast three receivers (Toliver 1,193 and Shaw 1120) with over 1,000 yards and only the third trio of receivers to accomplish this feat in League history.

Tampa Bay began the game with a bang as Karl Williams took the opening kickoff 55-yards for a score. After a missed extra point Philadelphia fullback Idris Price scored on a three-yard scamper to put the Soul up by one. Dietz continued the rapid pace of the game as he hit Terrill Shaw on the very next play for a 45-yard touchdown, the longest touchdown pass by the Storm this season. The teams then traded touchdowns to end the first quater as Offensive Player of the Game Larry Brackins and Edwards each scored their first touchdowns on the night.

The second quarter began with the Storm up by six and a Tampa Bay kickoff. Graziani quickly led the Soul for a score to go up by one. Samuels came up with two huge catches on the next series, one on third down for a first down and a touchdown, his 150th, on a crucial fourth down. He caught the touchdown in the front of the endzone sandwiched between two defenders. Brett Dietz connected with Edwards in between two field goals by Soul kicker Todd France to put the Storm up by seven at the half.

The second half began with the Storm up 34-27. The pace of the game slowed in the third as newcomer Marvin Brown scored Tampa Bay's only touchdown of the quarter. Brown took the ball off of the left side of the line and broke a tackle as he scored his first career touchdown on a 23-yard run. In the only quarter the Soul outscored the Storm, Graziani found Brackins (6-4, 220) for two scores as he used his size to get open in the endzone. However France failed to convert on either extra point attempt. Brackins finished the night with five touchdowns on eight catches.

Entering the fourth quarter up by two, the Storm showed resolve as they outscored the Soul 28-20 in the pivotal fourth quarter. The Soul forced a field goal early in the fourth only to have Seth Marler miss wide right. Mike Brown recovered the ball of off the net for the Soul but lost control of the ball. Kennedy reached out with one hand in mid-air and snatched the ball on the four-yard line and walked into the endzone to put the Storm up by 9 after the extra point. The teams went on to trade touchdowns three times, including one by each team in the final minute. With no time left on the clock for the Soul to mount a comeback, the Storm held on for the victory and a chance to go to the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Soul (6-8) return home Saturday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST to settle a score against the Columbus Destoyers (6-8) who previously defeated the Soul 44-21 in Week 8. The Tampa Bay Storm (7-7) head north to Van Andel Arena as the Storm take on the Grand Rapids Rampage (4-10) Saturday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Sun Sports and FSN Detroit will televise the game and 620 WDAE will broadcast the game live. For Storm tickets call 813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

On Monday, June 11, the Los Angeles Avengers travel to Arizona to take on Western Division rival Arizona Rattlers at 10:00 p.m. EST. Tune in to ESPN2 this Monday night to watch the Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday night game as Sonny Cumbie look to lead the Avengers into the playoffs against Sherdrick Bonner's Rattlers squad. Be apart of the exciting action on ESPN2 as the drive to ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans unfolds.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 10, 2007


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