Preds Win Streak Alive At Six, 65-62 Win at Georgia

Sunday April 20, 2008

DULUTH, GA— Orlando Predators wide receiver Chas Gessner caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shane Stafford with 5 seconds remaining in the game. The Predators (6-2) winning streak was extended to 6 games on Saturday night as they defeated the Georgia Force (3-4) 65-62 at Gwinnett Arena.

With just a second remaining the Force trotted out kicker Carlos Martinez to try a 53-yard field goal to tie the game but it was blocked by Orlando defensive lineman Rob Schroeder to seal the victory. The Preds then left the field celebrating a big southern division road win that keeps them tied for the division lead with the New Orleans VooDoo.

Georgia wide receiver Troy Bergeron had a great game for the Force scoring 3 receiving touchdowns on the night. However, on a fourth down play late in the game Force quarterback Chris Greisen tried to find Bergeron and was intercepted by Preds defensive back Ahmad Carroll in the end zone setting up the final sequence.

“It feels great to get a big win against the Georgia Force on the road; especially the way we got it,” Preds head coach Jay Gruden said. “We have had six games go down to the wire and we have had guys step up in big a situation, that’s a great sign for us, everybody stepped up tonight.”

Stafford was injured in the third quarter when he suffered a laceration to his left ear that put him out of the game until the Preds first drive of the fourth quarter.  He returned to lead Orlando on three touchdown drives in the period, including the game winning drive that started at the Preds own 5-yard line.  For Stafford, it was the fifth time in the last six games in which he had to lead the Preds on a game-winning drive in the final minute.

Preds rookie fullback Odie Armstrong had his best game so far taking 3 screen passes for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns. Armstrong’s second reception was a 33-yard run in which his facemask was turned around and his helmet was ripped off; the play ended at the Force 1-yard line and earned him Offensive Player of the Game honors.  

The Preds return to action this Saturday as they face the Tampa Bay Storm in the “War on I-4”. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Amway Arena. The game will be televised live by BrightHouse Networks channel 21 in Orlando and on 540 AM WFLA. Tom Morgan will be on the call with special guest and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ike Taylor on the color commentary.