Storm fall to VooDoo, 55-43

Published on March 7, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


NEW ORLEANS, La. - The defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm continued their early-season struggles, falling 55-43 to the New Orleans VooDoo Sunday afternoon.

The loss dropped the Storm to 2-3 on the season. The Storm also remained winless on the road this year. New Orleans improved to 4-1 with the win.

Tampa Bay dug itself a huge first half hole from which it could never climb out. New Orleans raced out to a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the contest and didn't look back, as the Storm never led in the contest.

The Storm turned the ball over three times, all three of which were interceptions returned for touchdowns. In addition, when the Storm did make big plays or force turnovers, penalties nullified them. The Storm had six penalties for 48 yards in the first half and finished the game with nine for 62 yards.

The VooDoo scored the first touchdown of the game after driving 47 yards in four plays. VooDoo quarterback John Fitzgerald hit offensive specialist Aaron Bailey on a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap off the drive, and Brian Schmitz's extra point put New Orleans on top 7-0 with 12:24 left in the first quarter.

On the Storm's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Shane Stafford was hit by New Orleans lineman Tim Martin and was picked off by Lamont Moore, who returned the interception 10 yards for a touchdown. Schmitz added the extra point to put New Orleans ahead 14-0 with 10:39 left in the first quarter.

The Storm finally got on the scoreboard on a one-yard touchdown run by New Orleans-native David White. The play capped off a 39-yard scoring drive by the Storm. Mike Black's extra point pulled Tampa Bay to within 14-7 with 6:04 left in the first quarter.

The VooDoo drove down to the Storm seven-yard line, but in three plays could not get the ball into the endzone. New Orleans settled for a 23-yard Brian Schmitz field goal, putting the home team on top 17-7 with 14:08 left in the second quarter.

The Storm drove down to the New Orleans five-yard line and scored on a touchdown run by White, but that play was nullified by a holding call. On the next play Stafford was picked off trying to throw the ball away. The interception was returned for a 37-yard touchdown by Calvin Coleman, giving the VooDoo a 24-7 lead with 8:53 left in the first half.

New Orleans then attempted and recovered an onside kick and took over at the Tampa Bay nine-yard line. Following a ten-yard unsportsmanlike foul on the Storm, the VooDoo marched 31 yards for another touchdown, scoring on a Dan Curran one-yard run. The touchdown pushed the VooDoo lead to 31-7 with 3:20 left in the second quarter.

Tampa Bay cut the New Orleans lead to 31-14 with 42 seconds left in the first half on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Freddie Solomon.

Things didn't get any better for Stafford and the Storm in the second half, as Moore again picked off Stafford on Tampa Bay's opening possession of the half. He returned it 18 yards for a touchdown, putting the VooDoo on top 38-14 with 11:48 left in the third quarter.

After TT Toliver returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield, the Storm inserted Pat O'Hara at quarterback. Led by O'Hara, the Storm offense finally got back on the scoreboard on a three-yard David White touchdown run, cutting the New Orleans lead to 38-21 with 7:45 left in the third quarter.

The VooDoo added a five-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald to Bailey to push the lead to 45-21 with 3:43 left in the third quarter before the Storm scored on a six-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon. Black's extra point made the score 45-28 with 13:46 left in the game.

Martin recovered a Storm onside kick at the 10-yard line and four plays later Schmitz kicked a 23-yard field goal to increase the VooDoo lead to 48-28 with 11:09 left to play.

After Solomon returned the ensuing kickoff to the 15-yard line, O'Hara hit him on a 35-yard touchdown strike to pull Tampa Bay to within 48-35 with 9:10 left on the clock. But the VooDoo answered with a one-yard touchdown run and went on top 55-35 with 4:42 left in the game.

Tampa Bay finished the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run by Andre Bowden. David Saunders scored on the two-point conversion, cutting the New Orleans lead to 55-43.

O'Hara finished the game 13-of-20 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford was 11-of-19 for 105 yards, three interceptions, and one touchdown before being replaced.

The Storm's leading receiver was Freddie Solomon. He finished the game with seven catches for 98 yards and three touchdowns. TT Toliver had five catches for 56 yards, while David Saunders caught five passes for 52 yards and Lawrence Samuels had five catches for 41 yards.

New Orleans quarterback John Fitzgerald was 13-of-30 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He also tossed an interception. Aaron Bailey was the VooDoo's leading receiver, catching five passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

The Storm return to action on Sunday, March 14, when they host the New York Dragons at the St. Pete Times Forum. The game kicks off at noon and tickets for the contest are still available at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet. Tickets are also available by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at www.tampabaystorm.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2004


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