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Storm continue playoff push

June 2, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


New Orleans - The Tampa Bay Storm defeated Southern Division rival New Orleans VooDoo 61-55 in front of 16,821 on the arm of Offensive Player of the Game Brett Dietz who completed 23 passes for 315 yards and eight touchdowns. His primary target was Hank Edwards who caught eight passes for a team high 134 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie debut.

Storm quarterback Dietz spread the ball around well as Terrill Shaw, eight receptions for 115 yards and four touchdowns, went past 1,000 yards receiving for the season and Lawrence Samuels, seven receptions for 66 yards and one score, surpassed Greg Hopkins to move into seventh place all-time in the AFL with 10,314 career receiving yards.

Despite giving up 100 yards to three receivers, the Storm defense stood strong when it had to including an interception in the endzone by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Jeroid Johnson. He also added five tackles and three pass breakups.

Tampa Bay opened the game with a quick offensive strike covering 45 yards on two plays as Brett Dietz found Shaw open for a 22-yard touchdown. After a missed extra point VooDoo quarterback Steve Bellisari hooked up with Tyronne Jones to put New Orleans up by one 7-6. Dietz looked sharp as he hit rookie Hank Edwards on a 29-yard corner route for Edwards's first career reception and touchdown. Each team the traded scores as Jones caught a touchdown off of the wall for the VooDoo and Shaw caught his second touchdown of the first quarter.

New Orleans entered the second quarter down 20-14 with possession of the ball on its own one yard-line. The VooDoo drove the length of the field before Jeroid Johnson stepped in front of a Bellisari pass in the endzone for his eighth interception this season. The Storm then took over six minutes off of the clock with its next drive before Dietz connected with Edwards on a bench route for a seven-yard touchdown. Tampa Bay scored again on Shaw's third touchdown of the half after the Storm defense came up with a big stop on its own eight yard-line. Marcus Owen blocked a New Orleans 43-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half.

The VooDoo opened the second half with a one-yard quarterback keeper to cut the Storm lead to 13. After a surprise onside kick by New Orleans Dietz found Lawrence Samuels wide open in the middle of the endzone for a six-yard touchdown. The VooDoo responded with one-yard scamper after a Bellisari to Wendall Williams's 45-yard bomb. The yo-yo on the scoreboard continued as Dietz connected with Shaw on a wheel route for Shaw's fourth touchdown in the game.

Up by 20 entering the fourth quarter Tampa Bay fought of a valiant effort by the VooDoo. New Orleans scored first to cut the deficit to 13. The VooDoo then held Tampa Bay to a Seth Marler field goal before Williams scored the first of three fourth quarter touchdowns. New Orleans closed to with in three points with 0:25 left on the clock after recovering an onsides kick. However, the VooDoo did not recover the ensuing onside kick. Marler kicked another field goal with 0:05 left in the game to give the Storm a six point cushion. A desperation heave by Bellisari on the last play did not work as Tampa Bay moves back into the playoff picture.

The New Orleans VooDoo (4-9) travel to Dallas to face the Eastern Division leading Desperados (12-1) Saturday, June 9, 8:30 p.m. EST at American Airline Arena. The Tampa Bay Storm (6-7) return home to the St. Pete Time Forum in downtown Tampa to face Jon Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul (6-7) Saturday, June 9, 7:30 (EST). Catch 47 on Bright House Networks 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 4, the Colorado Crush travel to Salt Lake City to take on American Conference rival Utah Blaze at 8:30 p.m. EST. Tune in to ESPN2 this Monday night to watch the Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday night game as Damien Harrell and the Crush look to move into the playoff picture against Joe Germaine's Blaze 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 2, 2007


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