Written by Trevon Purdie
Tampa, FL-On Saturday night, the Orlando Predators headed to Tampa Bay to face the Storm in this season’s third edition of the “War on I-4”. There were 11,890 fans in attendance during Tampa’s “Local Hero’s Night”
In the first half, Tampa Bay would receive the ball to start off the game, but in after just five plays Tampa Bay quarterback Randy Hippeard would throw an interception to give the Predators a chance for the first score. Orlando would score on their first drive, Bernard Morris would find Greg Carr for a 18 yard touchdown. Tampa Bay used only 5 plays on their next drive to score on a Randy Hippeard 2 yard run. Orlando’s Bernard Morris would lead his team to another touchdown after he used his legs for a 3 yard touchdown. The score was 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter would play out much like the first, with each team scoring 2 touchdowns. Orlando’s Bernard Morris would throw for 118 yards on 9 for 13 passing attempts with31 touchdown to end the half. Receiver Greg Carr led all receivers with 5 receptions, 80 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The score was 27-21 at the half, with the Predators leading the “War on I-4”.
In the second half, Tampa Bay started off strong when defensive back James Harrell intercepted a Bernard Morris pass in the end zone. This is only Morris’ second interception thrown this season. The Storm would score on a 24 yard pass from Hippeard to receiver Amarri Jackson to give them a 1 point lead early in the third quarter. Tampa Bay’s defense would continue that dominance throughout the quarter, with a sack caused fumble and Harrell intercepting Morris for the second time. The score was still 28-27 at the end of the quarter.
“I don’t know if we did anything to resemble a victory, it was a lack of execution and moving the ball.” said Head Coach Rob Keefe after the game.
Orlando would come back on top after causing a fumble on the Storm’s first play of the fourth quarter. Orlando scored after 7 plays, on a Morris 2 yard pass to Kendal Thompkins. The score was 34-28 with 9 minutes left in the game.
During the final four minutes, Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard ran the ball in for a 3 yard touchdown to give them the 35-34 lead. During their next drive, Orlando’s Bernard Morris would throw his 3rd interception of the game. Tampa Bay would run out the clock to retain the win.
The Predators and the Storm are now tied for the same record in the division, but Orlando has the tie breaker 2-1.
Orlando has a bye week and will continue play July 7 when they head to Philadephia to play the Soul.
In the first half, Tampa Bay would receive the ball to start off the game, but in after just five plays Tampa Bay quarterback Randy Hippeard would throw an interception to give the Predators a chance for the first score. Orlando would score on their first drive, Bernard Morris would find Greg Carr for a 18 yard touchdown. Tampa Bay used only 5 plays on their next drive to score on a Randy Hippeard 2 yard run. Orlando’s Bernard Morris would lead his team to another touchdown after he used his legs for a 3 yard touchdown. The score was 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter would play out much like the first, with each team scoring 2 touchdowns. Orlando’s Bernard Morris would throw for 118 yards on 9 for 13 passing attempts with31 touchdown to end the half. Receiver Greg Carr led all receivers with 5 receptions, 80 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The score was 27-21 at the half, with the Predators leading the “War on I-4”.
In the second half, Tampa Bay started off strong when defensive back James Harrell intercepted a Bernard Morris pass in the end zone. This is only Morris’ second interception thrown this season. The Storm would score on a 24 yard pass from Hippeard to receiver Amarri Jackson to give them a 1 point lead early in the third quarter. Tampa Bay’s defense would continue that dominance throughout the quarter, with a sack caused fumble and Harrell intercepting Morris for the second time. The score was still 28-27 at the end of the quarter.
“I don’t know if we did anything to resemble a victory, it was a lack of execution and moving the ball.” said Head Coach Rob Keefe after the game.
Orlando would come back on top after causing a fumble on the Storm’s first play of the fourth quarter. Orlando scored after 7 plays, on a Morris 2 yard pass to Kendal Thompkins. The score was 34-28 with 9 minutes left in the game.
During the final four minutes, Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard ran the ball in for a 3 yard touchdown to give them the 35-34 lead. During their next drive, Orlando’s Bernard Morris would throw his 3rd interception of the game. Tampa Bay would run out the clock to retain the win.
The Predators and the Storm are now tied for the same record in the division, but Orlando has the tie breaker 2-1.
Orlando has a bye week and will continue play July 7 when they head to Philadephia to play the Soul.