Written by Elijah Rosario
Orlando, FL- Tampa Bay quarterback Jason Boltus completed 30-46 passes for 351 yards and 8 touchdowns, but his 2 interceptions would be the catalyst in the game; as the Storm fell short to the Cleveland Gladiators in overtime 70-63.
The Storm and Gladiators opened up the first quarter going back and forth matching each other touchdown for touchdown. The only difference early on was a missed extra point that put the Storm up 14-13 with 13:18 left to go in the second quarter. Then a Cleveland turnover on downs created an opportunity for Tampa to take full control of the game.
However, on the Storm's ensuing possession Boltus threw two incomplete passes to start the drive. Then on 3rd & 10 from the 20 yard line he was staring down his receiver and the ball was intercepted for a pick 6 by Gladiators DB Jamie Bender giving the Gladiators a 20-14 lead with 5:40 left in the first half.
Tampa Bay was able to answer back while the two teams battled back & forth in a seesaw affair throughout the first half. As both teams entered the locker room at the half the game was tied 35-35. Phillip Barnett was leading the charge for the Storm receiving core with 8 catches for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. Despite the tie Cleveland's offense struggled with only 83 yards of totaled offense.
Getting into the second half both teams continued to answer each other score for score. With 13:11 left to play in the 4th quarter both teams were tied 49-49; thats when a major momentum shift in the game occurred. It was 3rd&10 for Cleveland from their own 24 yard line when quarterback Arvell Nelson pass was intercepted by Storm DB Cortez Stubbs. Giving Tampa Bay possession of the ball with a chance to take the lead back since the 2nd quarter.
The Storm took advantage of their opportunity and scored quickly on the next drive making it 56-49 with 5:10 left in the 4th quarter. As time winded down the Storm was clinging onto a 63-56 lead with less than 20 seconds left to play in regulation, but the Storm defense could not hold and Cleveland’s Nelson found Taylor Collin for a 12 yard game tying score to send it into OT.
Entering into OT the Gladiators started out with possession and were able to take the lead with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Larry Beavers giving them the 70-63 lead. With the opportunity to tie the game it was now up to Jason Boltus to lead his team down the field, but after picking up a quick 1st down the Storm were faced with 1st&10 at their own 15 yard line.
Thats when Jason Boltus threw a deep pass into the end zone intended for receiver Julius Gregory, but the pass was cut off and intercepted by Gladiators DB Marvin Ross and ended the game.
Storm wideout Julius Gregory talked postgame about head coach Lawrence Samuels message to the team after the loss, " After the game he just told us, stay strong, keep your head up and games like that we cant let slip away. Thats the third game we let slip away when we had a chance to win it. Now we got to find a way to finish it.”
Gregory finished the game with 7 receptions for 99 yards and 3 TD catches.
The loss puts Tampa Bay at 0-7 on the season, while Cleveland improves to 4-4 with the win. The Storm look to regroup fast as their next game approaches on Sunday May 29th vs Arizona Rattlers with a 2pm kickoff at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.
The Storm and Gladiators opened up the first quarter going back and forth matching each other touchdown for touchdown. The only difference early on was a missed extra point that put the Storm up 14-13 with 13:18 left to go in the second quarter. Then a Cleveland turnover on downs created an opportunity for Tampa to take full control of the game.
However, on the Storm's ensuing possession Boltus threw two incomplete passes to start the drive. Then on 3rd & 10 from the 20 yard line he was staring down his receiver and the ball was intercepted for a pick 6 by Gladiators DB Jamie Bender giving the Gladiators a 20-14 lead with 5:40 left in the first half.
Tampa Bay was able to answer back while the two teams battled back & forth in a seesaw affair throughout the first half. As both teams entered the locker room at the half the game was tied 35-35. Phillip Barnett was leading the charge for the Storm receiving core with 8 catches for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. Despite the tie Cleveland's offense struggled with only 83 yards of totaled offense.
Getting into the second half both teams continued to answer each other score for score. With 13:11 left to play in the 4th quarter both teams were tied 49-49; thats when a major momentum shift in the game occurred. It was 3rd&10 for Cleveland from their own 24 yard line when quarterback Arvell Nelson pass was intercepted by Storm DB Cortez Stubbs. Giving Tampa Bay possession of the ball with a chance to take the lead back since the 2nd quarter.
The Storm took advantage of their opportunity and scored quickly on the next drive making it 56-49 with 5:10 left in the 4th quarter. As time winded down the Storm was clinging onto a 63-56 lead with less than 20 seconds left to play in regulation, but the Storm defense could not hold and Cleveland’s Nelson found Taylor Collin for a 12 yard game tying score to send it into OT.
Entering into OT the Gladiators started out with possession and were able to take the lead with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Larry Beavers giving them the 70-63 lead. With the opportunity to tie the game it was now up to Jason Boltus to lead his team down the field, but after picking up a quick 1st down the Storm were faced with 1st&10 at their own 15 yard line.
Thats when Jason Boltus threw a deep pass into the end zone intended for receiver Julius Gregory, but the pass was cut off and intercepted by Gladiators DB Marvin Ross and ended the game.
Storm wideout Julius Gregory talked postgame about head coach Lawrence Samuels message to the team after the loss, " After the game he just told us, stay strong, keep your head up and games like that we cant let slip away. Thats the third game we let slip away when we had a chance to win it. Now we got to find a way to finish it.”
Gregory finished the game with 7 receptions for 99 yards and 3 TD catches.
The loss puts Tampa Bay at 0-7 on the season, while Cleveland improves to 4-4 with the win. The Storm look to regroup fast as their next game approaches on Sunday May 29th vs Arizona Rattlers with a 2pm kickoff at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.