DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers (3-2) stayed undefeated on their home turf with a 31-12 victory over the LA KISS (2-3) in the HYDRIVE Arena Football Hall of Fame Game on Saturday.

 

With the intensity high at Wells Fargo Arena, the Barnstormers started strong on both sides of the ball with multiple touchdown receptions and big plays by the motivated defense. Iowa quarterback Carson Coffman connected with receivers Julian Williams and Marco Thomas, putting 14 on the board quickly for the home team. The Iowa defense was led by Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, Mike Lewis, who recorded 3.5 sacks on the night and moved into seventh place all-time in AFL history with 43.5 career quarterback takedowns. A sack by Lewis and another first quarter interception by Tramain Thomas held LA to a scoreless first quarter.

 

Coffman kept the pace in the second, running in a touchdown of his own and completing another through the air to receiver Darius Reynolds. The KISS came close several times, but a lone touchdown by Donovan Morgan wasn’t enough to narrow the margin by much. Finishing up the first half, Iowa remained on top, 28-6.

 

The second half of the first-ever matchup between Iowa and Los Angeles was very low-scoring, as only the only points came off an Iowa field goal and a last minute touchdown for Los Angeles. The KISS removed starting quarterback J.J. Raterink from the game after three costly interceptions; however, his backup, rookie quarterback Tyler Hanson, did not fare much better against the aggressive Iowa defense. Hanson was picked off twice himself, as the KISS relinquished a franchise-high five interceptions on the night. All five Iowa defensive backs came away with interceptions in the game.

 

Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter, but a late field goal by Iowa’s Ross Gornall and a passing touchdown from Hanson managed to keep the second half from making AFL history, narrowly avoiding a two-team shutout.