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Storm Host Final Regular Season Game Saturday

June 20, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - In what has been a bumpy season the Tampa Bay Storm, Head Coach Tim Marcum and the players look to end the season on a high note and finish at .500 as the team takes on the Los Angeles Avengers Saturday, June 21 at the St. Pete Time Forum (7:30 p.m., Catch 47, 620 AM-WDAE). Despite falling to the San Jose SaberCats last week the Storm offense has been explosive averaging 70.5 points the past two games.

During those games Brett Dietz has thrown for 18 touchdown including a franchise and personal-high 10 again the Sabercats. He has completed 49 of 75 passes for 607 yards. His two primary targets have been Hank Edwards and Lawrence Samuels. Edwards has 16 receptions for 296 yards and nine touchdowns while Samuels 15 receptions pushed him past 1,000 career receptions. Samuels is the first player in the AFL to reach that milestone and the sixth in professional football history. He currently has 1,007 career receptions, fifth most all-time.

Tampa Bay and Los Angeles last met in Week 11 last season at the Staples Center, a thrilling, 40-37, Storm victory. Tampa Bay won as the Avengers missed a last second field goal attempt to tie the game fell short.

The Avengers are led by quarterback Sonny Cumbie and multi-threat Timon Marshall. Cumbie, who has had an up and down season, leads the team with 2,325 yards and 45 touchdowns as he has split time at quarterback with Tim Hicks (1,837 yards, 36 touchdowns). In 2007 the Storm defense held Cumbie to 197 yards and four touchdown s passes as he completed less than 48 percent of his passes. Interestingly, Cumbie graduate from the very same high school as Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum in Snyder, Texas.

While Sedrick Robinson became the League's all-time kickoff return leader last week against the SaberCats with 208 return yards the Avengers Marshall is just as explosive. Marshall has 1,608 kickoff return yards on the season and 1,253 yards receiving as he trails only one player in all-purpose yards this season.

Defensively the Storm will look for Traco Rachal, the league leader in special teams tackles, and Jeroid Johnson to contain Marshall. Johnson has four interceptions in the past five games while Traco Rachal has three fumble recoveries in the past five games.

With 19 points, the Storm will set a season franchise record for points scored. Currently at 831 points the franchise season-high is 849 points scored in 2003.

Storm Schedule

The Tampa Bay Storm hosts the Los Angeles Avengers in the season finale Saturday, June 21. Sunday and Monday are off day for the players with Coach Marcum available to the media at 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Tuesday, June24 will be the final meeting of the season for the players followed by exit physicals.

Storm Roster Moves

The Tampa Bay Storm signed defensive back Reggie Lewis (5-foot-11, 205-pounds, Florida) from the practice squad to the active roster. Lewis is signed through the end of the 2009 season. In other transactions fullback/linebacker Torrance Marshall (6-3, 260, Oklahoma) was placed on injured reserve while lineman Ernest Certain (6-4, 290, Florida A&M) and linebacker Terrance Royal (6-3, 270, South Florida) were activated off of injured reserve.

"Ride Out The Storm"

Saturday night, prior to kick off, the Tampa Bay Storm will unveil Storm-ONE, a custom made chopper by V-Force customs. This is the initial project of the Tampa bay Storm Foundation. The Foundation will take Storm-ONE on a tour, "Ride out the Storm", for one year. Storm-ONE will be raffled of at the end of the 2009 season and the proceeds will go to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Kids Night Out

The Tampa Bay Storm will host Kid's Night Out, featuring the Children's Miracle Network, SeenStamkos.com and Big Brother and Big Sisters Saturday, June 21 at the St. Pete Times Forum when the Storm takes on the Los Angeles Avengers. Kid's Night Out is a special opportunity for local businesses to host children and special charities at a Tampa Bay Storm game. For many children the opportunity to attend a professional sporting event is a unique treat. There are five sponsorship levels that Bay Area companies can participate in to help children attend Kid's Night Out. All five levels of sponsorship provide tickets to the game for underprivileged children, a Storm gift for the child, donation to The Children's Miracle Network, and sponsors of Kid's Night Out receive Jumbotron recognition, Cannon Business Solutions Center Club tickets. The proceeds from the evening will benefit All Children Hospital, the Tampa Bay area's Children's Miracle Network hospital.

Food Drive

The Tampa Bay Storm and St. Pete Times Forum are conducting a summer-long food drive to help stock the critically bare shelves of Tampa's Metropolitan Ministries. After hearing about the Ministries' shortfall in both monetary and food donations, the venue has offered to step up and help those less fortunate in the Tampa Bay Community. Over 1,300 pounds of food was collected at the last Storm game. With another great showing at the season finale we help to ensure the shelves do not go bare. Bring 5 cans of food and receive a free upper level ticket to the game.

STORM Broadcast Information

Fans can catch the Storm action this week on 620 AM-WDAE "The Sports Animal." Jack Harris and Jason Dixon will call the games as the Storm go after a league leading sixth world championship.

Drew Fellios, Mark Royals will call the game for Catch 47 while Roxanne Wilder works the sidelines for another action packed Storm game. Join the broadcast crew from Catch 47 as the follow the Storm all season long.

The Tim Marcum Show, "Cookies and Milk" brought to you by Bill Currie Ford, the last show of the season can be heard Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. on 620 AM-WDAE "The Sports Animal." Coach Marcum is joined by host Drew Fellios as they discuss the previous week's action, what to look for in the upcoming game and other action from around the Arena Football League.

AFL ON ESPN

Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football action showcases the Dallas Desperados as they travel to Chicago to take on the Rush. The 2007 Eastern Division Champion Desperados will try to lock up the number one seed in the National Conference and the Rush look to hold onto the number one seed in the American Conference.

Ticket Information

The 2008 Storm Season, presented by Champs Sports, Where Sport Lives, returns to the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday, June21 Kids Night Out, to face the Los Angeles Avengers in the season finale as the team makes a push for the playoffs. Single tickets and tailgate packages are on sale now at the McDonald's Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, ticketmaster.com and through Ticketmaster by phone at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100, or by calling 813.301-6600. Tailgate packages are priced at $25 and include game ticket, barbecue from Shane's Rib Shack, beer, wine and soda. For dinner reservations at Medallions Restaurant on the day of the event please call 813.301.6926. Now is the time to renew season tickets as 2009 season ticket packages are now available, call 813.301.6600 to renew or place an order.

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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.

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