The Longest Running Rivalry in the AFL

John Klaers
Wednesday August 2, 2000

It`s called the "War on I-4”: Orlando and Tampa, The Predators and the Storm. Since 1991, the war has raged on. The battle has been joined 25 times: 5 times in the post-season, 2 of those were ArenaBowls. The conflict has been fought on the field, in the stands, in the media, and on the internet. The players do not like each other; the coaches do not like each other; and the fans do not like each other.

Part of the reason for all this animosity is geography. You can get on Interstate Highway 4 in Orlando and be in Tampa in an hour and a half. Another reason is economics. Both cities are in the same state and compete for tourist dollars. One offers scenic beaches and sport fishing; the other offers Disney, Universal, and Sea World. Tampa has the NFL, Orlando has the NBA.

And then there`s history. The Tampa Bay Storm relocated from Pittsburgh. The Orlando Predators were an expansion team. The very first game either of these two new ball clubs played was against each other. Twenty-four more times they have met, and the Storm lead the series 23-22. Two ArenaBowls have been decided in this war, with both teams earning one Championship at the expense of the other. Tampa has the most successful and arguably the best coach in the game, while Orlando has a cunning and crafty coach who also just happened to be the best quarterback the Storm ever had. But the action hasn`t been on the field alone. Names have been bandied about, taunting signs, T-shirts, and gestures have been sighted; things have been thrown; beer has been spilled; mascots have been attacked; and enough trash to cover the globe has been talked.

Stevie Thomas is no stranger to the Florida rivalry, but this is his first season in an Predators uniform. Image courtesy of Joe Kauffman

Many of the legendary soldiers of the AFL have participated in this war: George LaFrance, Durwood Roquemore, Jay Gruden, Ben Bennett, Barry Wagner, Stevie Thomas, Tommy Henry, Sylvester Bembry, Paul McGowan, Herkie Walls, Chris Barber, Bobby Samuels, Charles Wilson, Webbie Burnett, "Pig" Goff, Curtis Ceasar, Johnny Harris, Perry Moss, and Tim Marcum. Just to name a few.

On August 3rd the War resumes for the 26th skirmish. At stake is the opportunity to go on and make a run for the Championship. For Orlando, we were expecting this to happen. Jay Gruden was preparing his team to play the Storm even before they played last weekend. For Tampa, this is the opportunity for revenge. Revenge for two embarrassing losses in the playoffs. The Predators know they can beat the Storm; the Storm know they can beat the Predators. Both teams know they will have to play flawless football. And when it`s all over, both teams will know that they have fought a bloody war.

 

The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.

John Klaers Articles
Fan Perspective: Been Down so Long it Looks Like Up to Me 5/9/2001
Fan Perspective: Understanding the Rabid Fan 4/12/2001
Fan Feature: Predators Face Season as Reigning Champs with no QB 3/20/2001
Sweet Victory for the Orlando Predators 8/21/2000
Jay Gruden Finds a Way to Earn Arenabowl Appearances 8/16/2000
The Longest Running Rivalry in the AFL 8/2/2000
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