Storm Comeback Falls Short In Cleveland
Sunday July 9, 2017
Tampa Bay Storm falls to Cleveland Gladiators, 41-39
Cleveland, OH – The Tampa Bay Storm (8-3) were defeated by the Cleveland Gladiators (4-8) by a score of 41-39 in front of 11,525 fans at Quicken Loans Arena. The night saw Storm receiver Joe Hills tie Damian Harrell’s Arena Football League record of 78 consecutive games played with a touchdown reception.
Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard led the team, completing 31-of-51 passes for 256 yards and six touchdowns. He spread the ball around, hitting six different receivers. His top target was Joe Hills, who caught nine passes for 62 yards and three touchdowns. Hills tied Damian Harrell’s AFL record of consecutive regular season games played with a receiving touchdown at 78.
Cleveland scored on four-consecutive unanswered drives for a total of 27 points. The Storm would go on to make a furious push at the end, scoring 19 points to bring the game within two points. However, the comeback fell short.
The Gladiators offense was led by Arvell Nelson who completed 18-of-27 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns. His top receiver was Michael Preston who caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Tampa Bay will head to Baltimore to take on the Brigade at Royal Farms Arena this coming Saturday, July 15. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Total
Tampa Bay Storm 6 7 7 19 39
Cleveland Gladiators 7 14 13 7 41
Statistical Leaders:
Passing: (C-A-INT-Yds-TD)
TAM – Randy Hippeard (31-51-1-256-6)
CLE – Arvell Nelson (18-27-0-230-4)
Rushing: (Att-Yds-TD)
TAM – Ryan Cave (2-3-0)
CLE – Jeramie Richardson (7-11-1), Arvell Nelson (5-10-1), Collin Taylor (1-(-3)-0)
Receiving: (Rec-Yds-TD)
TAM – Kendrick Ings (9-77-1), Joe Hills (9-62-3), Justin Hilton (6-46-1), Michael Lindsey (5-39-0), Leonard Bates (2-32-1)
CLE – Michael Preston (7-109-2), Collin Taylor (3-37-1), Tom Gilson (3-36-0), Lonnie Outlaw (3-23-0), Aslam Sterling (1-15-0), Jeramie Richardson (1-10-0)
KO Returns: (No.-Yds-TD)
TAM – Kendrick Ings (4-79-0), Michael Lindsey (1-9-0)
CLE – Kenny Veal (4-74-0)
MVP of the Game: Arvell Nelson, CLE
Offensive Player of the Game: Michael Preston, CLE
Defensive Player of the Game: Brandon Stephens, CLE