Storm rolls up record first-half; Hangs on to defeat Jacksonville 63-56

Friday June 12, 2015

 TAMPA BAY – T. T. Toliver’s 4th-quarter, six-yard touchdown reception sparked Tampa Bay (5-6, 2-1) to an exciting 63-56 win over the Jacksonville Sharks (6-6, 2-2) Friday night in an Arena Football League game at the Amalie Arena.

Both teams went into hibernation in the third quarter, following a record-setting scoring barrage by the Storm, whose 56 first-half points became the third highest AFL total and the two-team total was the second highest (98) in the history of the league.

Jacksonville scored twice in the fourth period, thanks to a pair of scores by former Storm wide receiver Joe Hills, who also caught a two-point conversion that tied the game at 56 with 1:55 left in the game.

After Toliver’s catch the Storm defense, behind the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game Alfred Phillips, three pass breakups, held the Sharks on fourth down. Phillips knocked away the 4th down pass for the win.

Quarterback Jason Boltus then drove the team to the final score with 56 seconds remaining.

The Storm set a first-half scoring record when they totaled 49 on a touchdown pass to Gregory, whose flip over the corner wall excited the partisan crowd. Craig Peterson kicked the extra point. The old record was 47 scored against the Grand Rapids Rampage on July 24, 2000.

The Storm is on the road the next two weeks at the Cleveland Gladiators (6-19) and at the Philadelphia Soul (6-26). The Tampa Bay Storm return to Amalie Arena to meet arch rival the Orlando Predators in the second game of the “War on I-4” this season.

In their first “I-4” battle the Preds rallied in the fourth quarter to take a 63-62 victory. The Storm have won 27-of-56 meetings between the two teams.