Storm Suffers Heartbreaker in Cleveland; Lose to Gladiators 41-29

April 9, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release

Cleveland, OH - The Tampa Bay Storm (0-2, 0-1) were defeated by the Cleveland Gladiators (1-1, 0-0) by a score of 41-29 on Saturday night in front of 11,892 fans at Quicken Loans Arena. The night was a back-and-forth match, with Cleveland earning its first win of the season on a game-winning interception by Gladiators defensive back Joe Powell with 18.4 seconds left and the Storm on the Cleveland 4-yard line.

The Storm offense saw both Adam Kennedy and Jonathan Bane under center. Before going down with an injury, Kennedy completed 11-of-20 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He'd also rush twice for 14 yards and a touchdown. Bane finished the game, completing 7-of-17 passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

Storm newcomer, and red zone threat, V'Keon Lacey made his presence known. He would go on to reel in three passes for 18 yards and two touchdowns, both in the red zone.

The Gladiators were led by quarterback Dennis Havrilla who made the start for an injured Chris Dieker. Havrilla completed 23-of-34 passes for 219 yards and five touchdowns.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Total

Tampa Bay Storm 12 0 14 3 29

Cleveland Gladiators 0 14 7 20 41

1st Quarter

TAM - Adam Kennedy 2-yard rush (Craig Peterson, No Good)

TAM - Phillip Barnett 18-yard reception (Craig Peterson, No Good)

2nd Quarter

CLE - Thyron Lewis 9-yard reception (Adrian Trevino, Good)

CLE - Collin Taylor 4-yard reception (Adrian Trevino, Good)

3rd Quarter

TAM - V'Keon Lacey 8-yard reception (Craig Peterson, Good)

CLE - Collin Taylor 19-yard reception (Adrian Trevino, Good)

TAM - V'Keon Lacey 3-yard reception (Craig Peterson, Good)

4th Quarter

CLE - Thyron Lewis 19-yard reception (Adrian Trevino, Good)

TAM - Craig Peterson 25-yard field goal

CLE - Collin Taylor 26-yard reception (Dennis Havrilla pass, Failed)

CLE - Joe Powell 52-yard interception return (Adrian Trevino, Good)

Statistical Leaders:

Passing (C-A-INT-Yds-TD)

TAM - Adam Kennedy (11-20-1-95-1), Jonathan Bane (7-17-2-61-1)

CLE - Dennis Havrilla (23-34-1-219-5)

Rushing: (Att-Yds-TD)

TAM - Adam Kennedy (2-14-1), Undra Hendrix (3-(-1)-0), Jonathan Bane (2-3-0)

CLE - Phillip-Keith Manley (2-(-1)-0); Dennis Havrilla (1-0-0), Collin Taylor (1-0-0)

Receiving: (Rec-Yds-TD)

TAM - Phillip Barnett (7-69-1), T.T. Toliver (5-41-0), Gerald Young (3-28-0), V'Keon Lacey (3-18-2)

CLE - Thyron Lewis (10-94-2), Dominick Goodman (8-56-0), Collin Taylor (5-69-3)

KO Returns: (No.-Yds-TD)

TAM - Gerald Young (5-103-0)

CLE - Larry Beavers (4-63-0)

Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game: Dennis Havrilla, Cleveland

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Joe Powell, Cleveland

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Thyron Lewis, Cleveland

Cutters Catch of the Game: Joe Powell interception, Cleveland

AFL Highlight of the Game: Joe Powell game-winning interception, Cleveland

?- The Tampa Bay Storm were defeated by the Cleveland Gladiators by a score of 41-29.

o The Gladiators now lead the overall series 10-9 and are 5-2 when facing the Storm at home.

?- The Storm started out fast, with wide receiver T.T. Toliver forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff.

o Kicker Craig Peterson recovered the ball.

?- Toliver caught five receptions for 51 yards.

o He now has 1,097 receptions for his career, passing wide receiver Tim Brown for sixth most in professional football history.

o Toliver now needs 68 receptions to surpass AFL Hall of Famer Damian Harrell (1,164) for most receptions in League history.

?- Storm defensive lineman Everett Dawkins earned his first forced fumble of the night on a critical 4th down stand. It was the fourth forced fumble of his career.

?- Defensive back Cortez Stubbs picked up his first fumble recovery and interception of the season.

?- Storm quarterback Jonathan Bane saw action after starting quarterback Adam Kennedy went down with injury.

o Bane finished the night completing 7-of-17 passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

?- Storm wide receiver Phillip Barnett caught his first TD of the season. An 18-yard pass from Kennedy.

o He led all Storm receivers with seven receptions.

?- Storm red zone threat, V'Keon Lacey, picked up his first TD in a Storm uniform. An 8-yard reception.

o Lacey finished the night with three receptions for 18 yards and two touchdowns.

?- Storm kicker Craig Peterson converted 1-of-1 field goal attempts. It was his first attempt of the season.

Tampa Bay Storm DB Cameron McGlenn Tackles Cleveland Gladiators WR Dominick Goodman (Cleveland Gladiators)

Arena Football League Stories from April 9, 2016

• Portland Steel Drop Second Straight Contest in the Final Seconds - Portland Steel
• Predators Outlast Portland Steel, Start Season 2-0 - Orlando Predators
• Gladiators Outlast Storm, 41-29, for First Win of the Season - Cleveland Gladiators
• Storm Suffers Heartbreaker in Cleveland; Lose to Gladiators 41-29 - Tampa Bay Storm

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