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Storm Defeat Vipers, 61-55

June 11, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Huntsville, AL - In a tale of two halves the Tampa Bay Storm (6-3, 2-1) defeated the Alabama Vipers (5-5, 1-2) 61-55 in front of a National television audience Friday night at the Von Braun Center.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a 41-20 lead in the first half as Alabama turned the ball over three times in the first half, including a 10-yard interception return for a touchdown by Michael Hawthorne from the linebacker position.

Rookie defensive back Erick McIntosh intercepted Vipers quarterback Kevin Eakin on the opening drive to jump start Tampa Bay for the game. Eakin finished the game with seven touchdowns and 396 passing yards, the second highest tally allowed by the Storm secondary in franchise history, but the two interceptions proved costly.

The next Viper possession Kelvin Kinney forced a fumble near midfield recovered by Hawthorne to stake Tampa Bay to a 13-0 lead.

Brett Dietz looked sharp in the first half as he had 156 yards for five touchdowns on only 11 completions. He spread the ball among five receivers including an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tom Kaleita.

Alabama ramped up the defensive pressure in the second half and the play of Tampa Bay turned sloppy as the Storm were forced to attempt three field goals, making two in the second half as Alabama was able to cut into the Tampa Bay lead, taking it from 20 points to six with under a minute to play in the game.

"We sure do find a way to making it exciting," said head coach Tim Marcum. "We played as well as we could in the first half, the second half was a different story."

However, the Vipers hurt themselves with penalties in crucial situations allowing the Storm to avoid a four-and-out late in the third quarter and an illegal defense penalty that wiped out a sack by Eric Scott for a huge loss. Several penalties on the offensive side of the ball caused the Vipers to draw out possessions when they needed to score quickly to have a chance to get back into the game.

Larry Shipp, who led all receivers with 14 receptions for 208 yards and four touchdowns, scored with 0:26 left in the game to bring it within six. The Vipers attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Cliff Dukes as Tampa Bay ran the clock out to end the game and leave Huntsville, AL with not only a win but a victory against a division rival.

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