Predators Stay Undefeated with Late Rally over Cleveland Gladiators

Friday April 29, 2016

ORLANDO – April 29, 2016 – The Orlando Predators (5-0) rallied with three unanswered scores in the fourth quarter to stay undefeated in 2016 with a 76-56 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators (1-4).

WR Brandon Thompkins racked up seven total touchdowns for the Predators, posting nine catches for 123 yards and five scores. He added a two-yard touchdown run and also scored on a 56-yard kickoff return. QB Randy Hippeard found the end zone eight times as he completed 22-of-34 attempts for 322 yards and seven touchdowns while adding a one-yard score on the ground. Making his first appearance of the season, WR Kendal Thompkins also contributed six receptions for 147 yards, including a 45-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.

After trading scores throughout the game, the Predators trailed Cleveland 56-55 entering the fourth quarter. Orlando took a 62-56 lead on the opening series of the final frame, as Hippeard faked the run before flipping a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan McCray.

On the ensuing Cleveland drive, QB Arvell Nelson fumbled on a pass attempt and Calvin Fance dove on the loose football for Orlando. The Predators quickly converted the turnover into points, as Hippeard tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Thompkins for 69-56 advantage.

Cleveland regained possession, but Nelson was picked off on the second play of the series by DB Varmah Sonie, who made a leaping catch to secure his league-leading fifth interception of the season. Orlando milked the clock before Hippeard finally punched it in from a yard out on a QB sneak for the game’s final score.

Sonie’s late interception was part of three takeaways by Orlando’s defense. DB Paul Stephens also notched an interception to go along with five solo tackles. DB Kent Richardson paced the group with 8.5 total tackles on the evening.

The night was also historic for veteran Predators kicker Mark Lewis, who booted 10 PATs in the game to surpass Remy Hamilton (1,091) for the most in Arena Football League history. Lewis has now made 1,100 PATs in his career.

The Predators return to the Amway Center in Week 6 to battle the Arizona Rattlers (4-0) on Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network and can be heard on FM 96.9 The Game. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 407-355-2200 or online at OrlandoPredators.com.​

UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando QB Randy Hippeard
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando DB Varmah Sonie
J.LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME: Orlando WR Brandon Thompkins
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: 30-yard TD reception by Cleveland WR Collin Taylor (Q1 | 0:50)
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME: 57-yard kickoff return for TD by Cleveland WR Larry Beavers (Q1 | 4:40)

ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS
The Orlando Predators celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 2016 as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.