Storm suffer tough Break, Fall to Dragons 59-52

Published on March 23, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - With a 38-31 lead heading into the second half the Tampa Bay Storm could not hold off the New York Dragons after losing fullback Rodney Filer late in the second half. Filer who came into the game third in the league in rushing and second in rushing touchdowns suffered a broken ankle on the Storm's last possession of the second half as he was tackled from behind by defensive lineman Josh Shaw. Dragon's quarterback Rohan Davey hooked up with Offensive Player of the Game Mike Horacek for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as 13,134 fans watched Tampa Bay fall to New York 59-52.

Storm receiver Lawrence Samuels finished the game with 11 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown on offense as he surpassed Darryl Hammond for fifth place on the Arena Football League's all-time reception list. Samuels came into the game needing five receptions to surpass Hammond's 804 career receptions.

Horacek led the way for the Dragons with eight receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns to help New York win its first game of the season. Receiver/linebacker Chris Anthony played a large role as he caught five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns to go along with four tackles a fumble recovery and one interception.

Tampa Bay led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter. Storm quarterback John Kaleo connected with T.T. Toliver on 13 and eight-yard touchdown passes on each of the first two possessions as Toliver scored two touchdowns for the third consecutive game. Ironman of the Game Lawrence Samuels scored the third touchdown of the quarter on a seven-yard interception return. Samuels, the last Storm player to score an offensive and defensive touchdown in one game, last accomplished this feat on April 4, 2004 against the San Jose SaberCats.

Going into the second quarter Tampa Bay extended its lead to 28-14 as Kaleo found lineman Ernest Certain for his fifth career touchdown. After a Rohan to Davey touchdown pass, the Storm drove the field and Rodney Filer scored his ninth rushing touchdown of the season on a seven-yard run. Tampa Bay's next possession stalled after Filer went down with a broken ankle. Newly acquired Kicker Seth Marler connected on a 19-yard field goal as the teams traded field goals to end the half.

Coming out of the locker room in the second half with a 38-31 lead, Tampa Bay received the kickoff and drove down the field as Samuels fought his way into the endzone for a 26-yard touchdown reception. The Dragons responded as Dragons fullback Ja'Mar Toombs barreled his way for a 24-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 45-38.

After trading interceptions to end the third quarter, Kaleo scampered into the endzone for a seven-yard rushing touchdown to put Tampa Bay up 52-38. However, the Storm failed to score the rest of game as the Dragons won the turnover battle in the fourth quarter. The Dragons took advantage of three Storm turnovers as Davey threw six passes Horacek's way, connecting on two for touchdowns. Toombs punched in the other Dragon touchdown on a one-yard run as New York scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2007


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