Written by Bob Mora
(Orlando, Florida) The Orlando Predators (11-2) and Tampa Bay Storm (1-11) have battled 60 times in the history of the “War on I-4”, this time the pre-game was much different, a show of unity and support, battlefield warriors becoming brothers for a moment, two teams who don’t like each other stood together arm and arm at midfield along with announced 13,527 supporters in the stands to honor the 49 victims of a senseless killing two weeks ago, then the game began, and it was back to the battle
The Predators jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter as Quarterback Bernard Morris rushed in a 9-yard keeper. Then after DB Emanuel Cook interception on Storm Quarterback Jason Boltus in the end zone to give Orlando the ball back, WR Brandon Thompkins caught a 10-yard pass from Morris for the score to make it 14-0.
Tampa did not find the end zone until the second quarter, on a 6-yard WR Prechae Rodriguez pass from Boltus to make it a one-score game. Then Morris went back to work, leading the Preds down the field and capping off the drive with a 12-yard rushing TD to make it 21-7.
Trying to catch the Storm off guard, Orlando attempted the onside kick, only to have Storm wideout Prechae Rodriguez recover the ball at the ten and return it for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good. On the Predators ensuing possession, Morris found WR Greg Carr for an 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the quarter to cushion the lead at 28-13.
Both teams scored in the final 90 seconds of the half; Tampa on a fourth and goal 5-yard pass to Rodriguez, his third score of the quarter, and Greg Carr scored on a 6-yard pass to make it 35-20 Orlando at the half.
The Predator defense took over in the third quarter. On the Storm's first drive of the 2nd half, a fourth down attempt was intercepted by Predators DB Paul Stephens and returned 24-yards. This set up a Bernard Morris 2-yard touchdown run, his third rushing score of the night. On the Storms next possession, they were forced into a turnover on downs highlighted by DL Willie McGinnis helmetless sack which was the AFL highlight of the game.
The first play of the fourth quarter was a Morris to Carr 9-yard touchdown, Carr's third touchdown reception on the night. The Storm then answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodriguez, his third touchdown reception of the night, which was the Cutters Catch Of The Game.
Orlando then recovered the Storm's onside kick attempt at the seven and Morris took four only plays to find WR Brandon Thompkins for a 2-yard touchdown pass, Thompkins second of the game.
Tampa did score one final time on an 8-yard V’Keon Lacy pass from Jason Boltus at the end of the game to make the final 56-33 Orlando.
Orlando QB Bernard Morris was named the Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game, he completed 16 of 23 passes for 131 yards with 8 touchdowns, 5 passing and 3 rushing, with 31 rushing yards on 6 carries.
Orlando DB Paul Stephens was the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game with 8 total tackles.
The Predators swept the three game series against the Storm this season and lead the all time series at 34-27.
The Predators jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter as Quarterback Bernard Morris rushed in a 9-yard keeper. Then after DB Emanuel Cook interception on Storm Quarterback Jason Boltus in the end zone to give Orlando the ball back, WR Brandon Thompkins caught a 10-yard pass from Morris for the score to make it 14-0.
Tampa did not find the end zone until the second quarter, on a 6-yard WR Prechae Rodriguez pass from Boltus to make it a one-score game. Then Morris went back to work, leading the Preds down the field and capping off the drive with a 12-yard rushing TD to make it 21-7.
Trying to catch the Storm off guard, Orlando attempted the onside kick, only to have Storm wideout Prechae Rodriguez recover the ball at the ten and return it for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good. On the Predators ensuing possession, Morris found WR Greg Carr for an 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the quarter to cushion the lead at 28-13.
Both teams scored in the final 90 seconds of the half; Tampa on a fourth and goal 5-yard pass to Rodriguez, his third score of the quarter, and Greg Carr scored on a 6-yard pass to make it 35-20 Orlando at the half.
The Predator defense took over in the third quarter. On the Storm's first drive of the 2nd half, a fourth down attempt was intercepted by Predators DB Paul Stephens and returned 24-yards. This set up a Bernard Morris 2-yard touchdown run, his third rushing score of the night. On the Storms next possession, they were forced into a turnover on downs highlighted by DL Willie McGinnis helmetless sack which was the AFL highlight of the game.
The first play of the fourth quarter was a Morris to Carr 9-yard touchdown, Carr's third touchdown reception on the night. The Storm then answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodriguez, his third touchdown reception of the night, which was the Cutters Catch Of The Game.
Orlando then recovered the Storm's onside kick attempt at the seven and Morris took four only plays to find WR Brandon Thompkins for a 2-yard touchdown pass, Thompkins second of the game.
Tampa did score one final time on an 8-yard V’Keon Lacy pass from Jason Boltus at the end of the game to make the final 56-33 Orlando.
Orlando QB Bernard Morris was named the Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game, he completed 16 of 23 passes for 131 yards with 8 touchdowns, 5 passing and 3 rushing, with 31 rushing yards on 6 carries.
Orlando DB Paul Stephens was the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game with 8 total tackles.
The Predators swept the three game series against the Storm this season and lead the all time series at 34-27.