Storm fall to Force 61-47

March 17, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - Four Touchdowns on the ground by fullback Rodney Filer were not enough to overcome the Georgia Force (3-0) as they defeated the Tampa Bay Storm (0-3) 61-47 in front of 13,664 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Filer, who came into the game tied for first in the League in rushing touchdowns, finished the game with 43 yards and four touchdowns on ten carries. His four touchdowns tied a team game-high last accomplished by Andre Bowden in a 45-38 OT victory over the Carolina Cobras April 11, 2003. Filer has seven rushing touchdowns in his last two games. Receiver T.T. Toliver finished the game with 239 yards of total offense as he scored two touchdowns for the second consecutive game.

Quarterback Chris Greisen completed 22-of-26 passes for 242 yards with seven touchdowns as the Force improve to 2-0 in division play. Georgia's special teams played a big role as defensive back Willie Gary recovered a kickoff of the net for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to put the Force up 61-4.

The Storm trailed at the end of the first quarter 13-14. Force receiver/defensive back Jarrick Hillary took the opening kickoff 49 yards to the Tampa Bay four-yard line. Greisen immediately hooked up with receiver Derek Lee for a four-yard touchdown. The Storm responded as John Kaleo, 29-of-38 with 296 yards and three touchdowns, found Toliver for an 11-yard strike. However the Force drove the field in three plays on its next possession as receiver Chris Jackson caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Greisen. Tampa Bay capped off the first quarter with a six-minute touchdown drive that included receiver Karl Williams's first career reception in the Arena Football League. The drive ended as Rodney Filer scored a seven-yard touchdown.

The Force took a 26-19 lead into the half as Greisen threw two touchdowns to receiver Troy Bergeron on Georgia first two possessions. Tampa Bay drove to the Georgia four-yard line on its first possession of the quarter but failed to score. The Storm offensive line provided ample protection on it next possession as Kaleo spread the ball around. Kaleo found receivers Karl Williams and Lawrence Samuels on 11 and 13-yard strikes before hooking up with Toliver on a 17-yard touchdown reception, Toliver's second of the game. The Tampa Bay defense prevented the Force from taking the momentum into the half with a goal line stand at the end of the second quarter. Led by the pressure of lineman Marcus Owen, the Storm defense stifled Georgia's offense. Jeroid Johnson capped of the defensive stand with a spectacular interception in the endzone with two seconds remaining on the clock.

Tampa Bay carried over the momentum from the end of the first half into the third quarter, as the Storm outscored the Force 21-14 to even the score 40-40 at the end of the third. Filer led the charge as he pounded his way for three touchdowns, setting a career-high with four rushing touchdowns in one game. However Greisen maintained his cool completing 9-of-10 passes while tossing two touchdowns in the quarter to keep the Force from falling behind.

The tide turned for the Storm in the fourth quarter as the Force outscored Tampa Bay 21-7 in the fourth quarter. Georgia maintained possession of the ball from entering the fourth quarter and took the lead on a one-yard rushing touchdown by fullback Matt Huebner. Huebner caused a fumble on the Storm's next possession as momentum shifted in favor of the Force. Lee caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Greisen on the very next play to put the Force up 54-40. The Storm was not able to respond as Gary recovered the ball off of the net in the endzone for a Force touchdown. With the score 61-40, Kaleo went 5-of-6 as he led Tampa Bay down the field, hooking up with rookie Karl Williams for his first career touchdown on a six-yard pass. Tampa Bay recovered the ensuing on-side kick and quickly moved the ball down the field as Kaleo found Samuels on consecutive passes for 30 yards. However a timely sack by former Storm lineman Mike Sutton killed the drive.

The Georgia Force (3-0) takes on the San Jose SaberCats (1-1) Saturday, March 24 at Philips Arena. Division rival New York Dragons (0-1) visits the Tampa Bay Storm Friday, March 23 at 7:30 at the St. Pete Time Forum. For tickets call 813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 17, 2007


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