IFL Sioux Falls Storm

Storm Fall to Barnstormers

March 29, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls Storm lost their first game of the year Monday night in a 45-31 loss to the Iowa Barnstormers. It was the Storm's second home game of the season and their first loss at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

Both teams were trading scores early in the game and it wasn't until Iowa scored 28 points in the second quarter and started to create some separation. Gabriel Rui broke the ice and kicked a field goal on the Barnstormers' first possession, taking an early 3-0 lead.

Later in the quarter, the Storm defense stepped up and forced a fumble in Iowa territory, giving themselves good field position at the six-yard line. A few plays later, quarterback Taz Wilson rushed for a two-yard touchdown, giving the Storm back the lead.

A few drives later, wide receiver Tim Keith stepped in at QB for the Storm for a trick play in the red zone but threw an interception that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown, giving Iowa back the lead at 10-7. Bryson Denley ran in a touchdown to kick off the second quarter and then the momentum switched when Kentrez Bell threw back-to-back touchdowns to put the Barnstormers up 10 midway through the second quarter. With only a few minutes left in the second half, running back Nate Chavious reached for the goal line for a touchdown but fumbled the ball and was picked up by JR Stevens in the end zone. Stevens returned it for a 49-yard touchdown, putting Iowa up 17 points at 31-14. The teams traded touchdowns again in the final two minutes and a 28-yard field goal from Sawyer Petre sent the Storm into the halftime break with a 14-point deficit at 38-24.

After a first half that saw tons of offense, the second half was the opposite and each team only scored seven points each the rest of the game. Chavious got the Storm revved up coming out of the break, with a 14-yard touchdown run to cut Iowa's lead to seven with 13 minutes to go in the third quarter. They would not score again as turnovers were key for the home team the entire game. Eric Thomas put Iowa back up 14 with a touchdown run with 10:40 to go in the fourth and defense prevailed the rest of the way.

The Storm had six turnovers during the game, with three of those interceptions, and the other three were fumbles. The Barnstormers only had two, with one interception and one fumble.

Wilson finished the game with 131 yards, a passing and rushing touchdown, one interception and was 13-for-24 passing. Chavious had 23 rush yards on nine attempts and had one touchdown. Wide receiver Kahliq Muhammad had seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Marquis Hendrix led the defense with five tackles and 1.5 sacks. Keonte Chavies also had five tackles and a sack.

Iowa improved to 1-1 on the year, while the Storm fell to 2-1. Now, Sioux Falls is kicking off a two-game road trip where they will first head to Moline, Ill. to face the Quad City Steamwheelers Friday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. The Storm beat them in their season-opener 35-24. Quad City sits at 1-1 so far this season, with their lone win coming to Iowa last week. The Storm will be hosting their viewing party for the game at the Blue Rock Bar & Grill.



Indoor Football League Stories from March 29, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central