Defense Leads Storm To Thrilling Comeback Win Over Talons

Connor Akeman
Saturday March 22, 2014

Although nobody knew exactly what head coach Lawrence Samuels would get out of his team in the first couple weeks of a new season, the results are just what everyone hoped for. The Tampa Bay Storm, now 2-0 for the first time since 2008, used an impressive defensive effort on Friday night to shock the San Antonio Talons 48-45 in the closing seconds.

“We made a lot of mistakes on offense,” Samuels said after the game. “But the guys showed a lot of character in the fourth quarter by executing and winning. We gave them a lot of chances to win, but we fought through it and it’s a Storm win. I’ll take it.”

While the Storm struggled early in the game on offense, DB Chris Smith was the difference maker for Tampa Bay on the other side of the ball. Smith came up with two huge interceptions in the game, and now dating back to last season has tallied 11 interceptions in 20 games. WR Amarri Jackson caught the game winning touchdown for the Storm with just four seconds remaining on the clock.

Even though the Storm’s defense was the story of the night, QB Randy Hippeard’s performance so far this season cannot be overlooked. Although Hippeard does make mistakes and is still trying to fully iron out his game, he was able to engineer a game winning drive late in the fourth quarter on the road. He finished the game completing 21-of-38 passes and threw for seven touchdowns.

With both the Storm and rival Orlando Predators completing dramatic, come from behind wins on Friday night, next week’s renewal of the “War on I-4” sets up nicely. A perfect record, the South Division lead, and state bragging rights will all be on the line in a game that is always exciting.