AFL Iowa Barnstormers

Stormers Fall Short on Kurt Warner Night

Published on May 22, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


Des Moines, Iowa - On a night that witnessed the induction of legendary quarterback Kurt Warner into the Barnstormers Hall of Fame, the Barnstormers could not keep up with the Arizona Rattlers who withstood a fourth quarter Iowa comeback to win 52-48 in front of 9,912 fans at Wellmark Field.

Iowa's third home loss of the season drops the team to 3-4 while Arizona improves to 3-3.

The first AFL match-up between the Stormers and the Rattlers in nearly a decade started quietly as the Rattlers led 13-7 after one quarter of play on the strength of one-yard touchdown runs from Johnie Kirton and Nick Davila. The Barnstormers lone score in the opening quarter came when Tim Dodge was on the receiving end of a five-yard Ryan Vena pass in the back of the Rattlers' end zone.

The Rattlers' lead grew to 21-7 early in the second period as a Davila to Rod Windsor touchdown reception was followed by a successful two-point conversion. The Barnstormers answered with a pair of Jesse Schmidt touchdown receptions, but an Arizona field goal and late 4-yard touchdown run by Windsor sent Arizona into the half with a 31-20 lead.

The Stormers struck first in the second half as Vena found a wide-open Todd Blythe on a 24-yard scoring strike, drawing Iowa to within 31-27. Davila and Arizona answered on a Anthony Mix seven-yard touchdown reception. Iowa wasted no time as Vena and Blythe hooked up again, this time a two-yard catch that was the final score of the third quarter that closed the Arizona lead to 38-34.

The fourth quarter turned into a shootout after the Stormers gained the lead for the first time in the game on a Vena keeper from the one. Arizona grabbed the lead right back as Terrance Sanders ran the ensuring Iowa kickoff 57 yards for a score and a 45-41 Rattlers' lead. Iowa answered on Vena's sixth TD pass of the night, this time to Tommy Ellingworth from 20 yards. Iowa's 48-45 lead did not last long as Davila found JJ McKelvey in the back of the Iowa end zone, giving Arizona a 52-48 lead with four minutes remaining in the game.

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



Arena Football League Stories from May 22, 2010


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