Storm defeats Georgia 50-47 in AFL home opener

Friday March 16, 2012

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm, behind quarterback Stephen Wasil’ four passing scores and one running, defeated the Georgia Force, 50-47, Friday night on the Amalie Motor Oil Field in an Arena Football League game in the Tampa Times Forum.

After an opening season loss at Chicago, the Storm (1-1) overcame a short-lived comeback by the Force (1-1) in a South Division, American Conference rivalry.  A Force comeback in the 4th quarter fell short despite outscoring Tampa Bay, 27-13.

Wasil, who was not at his best in the first half, completed 8 of 10 passes in the third quarter as the Storm took, a 37-20, lead going into the 4th and final stanza. He opened the 4th with a 9 play drive ending with a 14-yard strike to Mark Jones at 7:53 of the period.

Wasil was 25-47 for 298 yards  passing in the game, connecting with his favorite receiver Prechae (pronounced Pre-shay) Rodriguez ,who had 11 catches for 164 yards and one TD, was the games’ MVP. Chandler Williams collected two receiving scores.  Rodriguez had 1grabs and 186 yards and three touchdowns in his first AFL game at Chicago.

Despite a ragged first quarter by both teams, the Storm outscored the Force, 20-7, in the second period to take a 27-13 halftime margin. A 23-yard pass by Wasil to Chandler Williams with 10:32 on the clock and a fumble recovery off the net by Mark Jones at 8:57 provided a 20-6 difference for Tampa Bay.

RJ Archer relieved starting Georgia quarterback Darnell Kennedy late in the second and got the Force their second score on a 7-yard pass to veteran receiver Derek Lee before the half ended. Six-season AFL veteran CJ Johnson returned a 1st-quarter kickoff  57 yards for a score. It was the 16th of his career.

Scoring Summary
TB – Chandler Williams 11 pass from Stephen Wasil (Juan Bongarra kick)
GA –CJ Johnson 57 kickoff return (kick failed)
TB -- Williams 23 pass from Wasil (Bongarra kick)
TB – Mark Jones 0 fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed)
TB – Michael Lindsey 3 run (Bongarra kick)
GA –Derek Lee 7 pass from R.J. Archer (Carlos Martinez kick)
TB –Prechae Rodriguez 23 pass from Wasil (Bongarra kick)
GA –Brandon McRae 7 pass from Archer (Martinez kick)
TB –FG Bongarra 23
GA—McRae 35 pass from Archer (Martinez kick)
TB –Mark Jones 14 pass from Wasil (Bongarra kick)
GA—Larry Shipp 4 pass from Archer (Martinez kick)
TB –Wasil  4  run (kick failed)
GA –McRae 8 pass from Archer (pass failed)
GA –Shipp 16 pass from Archer (Martinez kick)

The Tampa Bay Storm enters its bye week and return to action Friday, March 30 on Amalie Motor Oil Field at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.  The Storm will host South Division and reigning ArenaBowl Champion Jacksonville Sharks.

Score     1              2              3              4
GEO       6              7              7              27 -- 47
TAM      7              20           10           13   -- 50

Statistical Leaders

Passing (C-A-I-YDs-TD)
GEO Archer  (19-26-0  242  6)
TAM – Wasil (25-47-2  298  4)

Rushing (A-YDs-TD)
GEO – Kennedy (1-16-0)
TAM – Wondell (4-12-0)

Receiving (Rec-YDs-TD)
GEO – Shipp (9-127-2)
TAM – Rodriguez (11-164-1)

Russell Athletic Offensive player: P. Rodriguez, Tampa
Riddell Defensive player: Tracey Belton, Georga
JLS Ironman of the Game: Mark Jones, Tampa
AFL Playmaker of the Game: CJ Johnson, Georgia
Cutters Catch of the Game: Mark Jones, Tampa, 4th Q 7:53
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Richard Jones, Tampa, fumble recovery
National Guard MVP of the Game: P. Rodriguez, Tampa