Tampa Bay Storm Game Notes

Published on July 28, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Orlando Predators (7-8)

@ Tampa Bay Storm (11-4)

Date: Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Site: St. Pete Times Forum

National Anthem: N/A

Coin Toss: Head Referee

Officials: Kevin Stine (Referee), Mitch Geier (Umpire), James Jones (Head Linesman), Kerry Jackson (Line Judge), Rich Martinez (Back Judge)

Radio: WYGM 740 AM

TV: Bright House Sports Network

Series Record: Orlando 22-22 Tampa Bay (including playoffs)

Last Meeting: 5/28/10 - Tampa 62, Orlando 50

Streaks: Orlando W1, Tampa Bay W1

THE STAKES:

This game is about pride for the Orlando Predators. They have already locked up their playoff spot, so they are playing merely to

THE SERIES:

The Predators and Storm have been contesting the "War on I-4" since 1991. The overall series is tied at 22-22. Tampa owns a 19-18 lead in regular season games, but Orlando owns a 4-3 lead in playoff games.

THE IFs:

If Orlando defeats Tampa Bay, it would ...

Give Orlando a .500 record for the season

Guarantee Orlando faces Jacksonville in the first round of the playoffs

Give Orlando the series lead in the War on I-4

HEAD COACHES:

ORLANDO - Orlando's Pat O'Hara is in his first season as Predators head coach. From 1995 to 2000, O'Hara was a quarterback for the Predators, winning two Arena Bowl championships with the team (1998, 2000). He also won an Arena Bowl with the Tampa Bay Storm (2003).

O'Hara gained his first head coaching job while he was still a player. During the offseason, O'Hara coached Orlando's Olympia High School from 2001-2003. During his time there, he was the head coach of reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Chris Johnson.

O'Hara began his pro coaching career as an offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Storm from 2005-2008. He was named the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers for the 2009 season, but the season was cancelled.

O'Hara replaced Richard Davis as the head coach of the Tri-Cities Fever (af2) part-way through the 2009 season, leading the team to its only wins of the year.

Tampa Bay - Tim Marcum is the head coach of the Tampa Bay Storm. He entered the 2010 season having alr4eady won 7 ArenaBowl championships and has coached for 10 of the league's 22 ArenaBowl championships.

LAST SERIES MEETING: The last time these two teams meet the Storm took home the win with a final score of 62-50. The Predators opened the game's scoring with a huge 54-yard field goal after being held on their first drive. Tampa was quick to take the lead, scoring on their first play of their opening drive with a 30 yard touchdown pass from Dietz to Hank Edwards.

MILESTONES:

45th edition of the "War on I-4"

Final game of the 2010 regular season

DROPBACK:

The Predators clinched their 18th consecutive playoff appearance with their 49-21 victory over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.

FORWARD MOTION:

Orlando enters the 2010 playoffs next week. Tonight's result will help determine their opponent.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Playoffs?!: For the 18th consecutive season, the Predators are in the AFL playoffs. This is the longest consecutive streak in professional sports.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Orlando QB Nick Hill: In just his first season with the Predators, Hill has broken several team records, both passing and rushing. Hill now has his sights set on the season passing yards record, needing 280 yards to top Shane Stafford's 2007 mark of 4,284. Hill stands at 4,005 passing yards for the year and is averaging 267.0 yards per game. Based on those numbers, the record may seem just out of reach, but the last time Hill faced the Storm, he set a team record when he threw for 393 yards.

Orlando's defensive backfield: In the last meeting between the Storm and Predators, the defensive backfield of the Predators had a rough game. The duo of Rayshaun Kizer and Kenny McEntyre lead the league in combined interceptions, so it will be up to them to reverse the trend and stop Brett Dietz.

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