Storm Sweep Predators, 71-61

Published on June 8, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa, FL - Lawrence Samuels came up two catches shy of 1,000, but that did not matter as Tampa Bay (7-7, 4-2) swept Orlando (8-7, 2-3) for the first time since 1999 as the Storm won 71-61 in front off 17,344 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum. Sedrick Robinson ran back a kickoff for a touchdown on the final play of the first half to give the Storm a 10-point lead and the momentum heading into the locker room at halftime.

Brett Dietz completed 75 percent of his pass for 298 yards and eight touchdowns as the two teams combined for a series single game-high 132 points. In his first game back from an ankle injury Hank Edward led all receivers with 131 yards receiving and four touchdowns on nine receptions. Tyrone Timmons added three touchdowns for the third consecutive game.

Shane Stafford went 27-of-38 for 362 yards and eight touchdowns but threw a crucial interception in the games final minute to Defensive Player of the Game Traco Rachal. Rachal finished the game with 11.5 tackles, three on special teams, one interception and recovered a fumble that he forced. The 362 yards passing is the most surrendered by the Storm defense this season.

Tamp Bay led 21-12 at the end of the first quarter as Dietz threw touchdown passes, one each to Hank Edwards and lineman Tom Briggs. John Mohring, playing his first career game, caught Stafford's second touchdown pass of the game. On Tampa Bay's second drive Jason Perry intercepted Dietz only to have Robinson strip the ball and take it to the Orlando 22-yard line to keep the drive alive.

The teams continued to exchange touchdowns until the end of the second quarter when Kevin Nickerson scored for Orlando with five seconds on the clock to bring the game with in three, 35-32, the difference accounted for due to three missed extra point attempts. The next play, Robinson took the kickoff the distance as the clock ran out for his first return of the season and 29th of his career.

Tampa Bay carried the momentum from the kickoff return for a touchdown into the third quarter as the defense came up big in its first two series of the second half. The first play after the kickoff Rachal caused a fumble and recovered the ball at the Predator 22-yard line. Dietz found Edwards wide open the very next play to extend the Storm lead to 16. Two plays later the defense recorded its first safety since Week 2 in 2006.

Orlando took the ball into the fourth quarter trailing 39-57. However the Predators could do no better than trade touchdowns (three-to-two) outscoring the Storm 21-14 in the final stanza. Rachal foiled a successful Predators onside kick as he sealed the victory with an interception with 0:47 seconds left on the clock.

The victory keeps Tampa Bay's playoff hopes alive with two games left in the season.

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



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 8, 2008


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