Written by Bob Mora
(June 11, 2016) Orlando- The Predators started with the ball as Quarterback Randy Hippeard, after missing last week's game due to an injury, took the early lead on a one-yard touchdown run. On Cleveland's first play, after the catch, WR Larry Beaver was hit hard by DB Varmah Sonie, who knocked the ball loose which was recovered by LB Terence Moore. On the next play, Hippeard responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Thompkins for the quick 14-0 lead.
Cleveland QB Arvell Nelson wasted no time and found Beavers on a 37-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to seven. On the next play, Hippeard threw a quick pass out to Brandon Thompkins. Who after an excellent, tackle breaking a move, found the end zone for a 32-yard score and a 21-7 Predator lead that lasted until the end of the first quarter.
Cleveland answered in the second quarter as Nelson found WR Devin Wilson on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to one score. Only to have Hippeard locate the end zone on an 11-yard scramble for the score and 28-14 Predator lead. After the Gladiators had recovered the attempted onside kick, Nelson found WR Quentin Sims for his first of four touchdowns catches of the game, from the 6-yard line. With one minute remaining in the half, turned out it was enough time for Hippeard to find WR Greg Carr for a 2-yard touchdown pass as the clock ran out and the Preds took a 35-21 halftime lead.
Coming back Cleveland started the third quarter with a quick 2-minute drive ending with a Collin Taylor 33-yard touchdown pass. Then Orlando turned it over on a fumble, which the found Nelson found Sims for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the score at 35-35. With six minutes left in the quarter, the Predators did remain in the lead as FB John Martinez 1-yard touchdown run made it 42-35 at the end of the third quarter.
Coming back in the fourth quarter Cleveland took only 28 seconds to tie the game with Quentin Sims in a 37-yard reception, which was his third of the game. Hippeard responded with a six play drive ending with a Greg Carr five-yard score. Which left Cleveland with under eight minutes left to play. It was short lived for Predators as Nelson found Sims only, this time, it was a 30-yard touchdown score wich tied the game to 49-49. The Predators regained the lead with FB John Martinez second 1-yard touchdown run of the game. With only 45 seconds to play, Cleveland recovered the attempted onside kick and three plays later; Larry Beavers scored on a 4-yard pass to tie the score at 56-56 with 23 seconds on the clock. Hippeard aware of the game clock completed a quick sideline pass to WR Kendal Thompkins; then he found Greg Carr leaping at the sideline for a 21-yard pass reception to the eight. Which set up a successful Mark Lewis for a 23-yard field goal attempt with 2 seconds left to give the Predators the 59-56 win and was the AFL highlight of the game.
When asked about giving up 14 point leads, “you’ve got to weather the storm,” Coach Rob Keefe responded, “We have to learn how to finish teams, we have to teach a better killer instinct when you have opportunities to put them away, you have to put them away.”
Greg Carr followed with a similar statement, “We had a 14 point lead at one time, and it came down to a field goal; we have to take teams out and finish them.”
For Orlando, Randy Hippeard completed 23 of 34 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdown passes, and 2 touchdowns rushed earning the Under Armor Offensive Player of the game. Greg Carr caught 9 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins caught eight passes for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Kendal Thompkins caught five passes for 74 yards. Terence Moore was the Riddell Defensive player of the game.
For Cleveland, Arvell Nelson completed 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards, and 8 touchdown passes earning the J Lewis small playmaker of the game. Quentin Sims caught 8 passes for 102 yards and 4 touchdowns; Larry Beavers caught 8 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Cleveland QB Arvell Nelson wasted no time and found Beavers on a 37-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to seven. On the next play, Hippeard threw a quick pass out to Brandon Thompkins. Who after an excellent, tackle breaking a move, found the end zone for a 32-yard score and a 21-7 Predator lead that lasted until the end of the first quarter.
Cleveland answered in the second quarter as Nelson found WR Devin Wilson on a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to one score. Only to have Hippeard locate the end zone on an 11-yard scramble for the score and 28-14 Predator lead. After the Gladiators had recovered the attempted onside kick, Nelson found WR Quentin Sims for his first of four touchdowns catches of the game, from the 6-yard line. With one minute remaining in the half, turned out it was enough time for Hippeard to find WR Greg Carr for a 2-yard touchdown pass as the clock ran out and the Preds took a 35-21 halftime lead.
Coming back Cleveland started the third quarter with a quick 2-minute drive ending with a Collin Taylor 33-yard touchdown pass. Then Orlando turned it over on a fumble, which the found Nelson found Sims for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the score at 35-35. With six minutes left in the quarter, the Predators did remain in the lead as FB John Martinez 1-yard touchdown run made it 42-35 at the end of the third quarter.
Coming back in the fourth quarter Cleveland took only 28 seconds to tie the game with Quentin Sims in a 37-yard reception, which was his third of the game. Hippeard responded with a six play drive ending with a Greg Carr five-yard score. Which left Cleveland with under eight minutes left to play. It was short lived for Predators as Nelson found Sims only, this time, it was a 30-yard touchdown score wich tied the game to 49-49. The Predators regained the lead with FB John Martinez second 1-yard touchdown run of the game. With only 45 seconds to play, Cleveland recovered the attempted onside kick and three plays later; Larry Beavers scored on a 4-yard pass to tie the score at 56-56 with 23 seconds on the clock. Hippeard aware of the game clock completed a quick sideline pass to WR Kendal Thompkins; then he found Greg Carr leaping at the sideline for a 21-yard pass reception to the eight. Which set up a successful Mark Lewis for a 23-yard field goal attempt with 2 seconds left to give the Predators the 59-56 win and was the AFL highlight of the game.
When asked about giving up 14 point leads, “you’ve got to weather the storm,” Coach Rob Keefe responded, “We have to learn how to finish teams, we have to teach a better killer instinct when you have opportunities to put them away, you have to put them away.”
Greg Carr followed with a similar statement, “We had a 14 point lead at one time, and it came down to a field goal; we have to take teams out and finish them.”
For Orlando, Randy Hippeard completed 23 of 34 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdown passes, and 2 touchdowns rushed earning the Under Armor Offensive Player of the game. Greg Carr caught 9 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins caught eight passes for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Kendal Thompkins caught five passes for 74 yards. Terence Moore was the Riddell Defensive player of the game.
For Cleveland, Arvell Nelson completed 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards, and 8 touchdown passes earning the J Lewis small playmaker of the game. Quentin Sims caught 8 passes for 102 yards and 4 touchdowns; Larry Beavers caught 8 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.