DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers (6-5) defeated the Orlando Predators (6-5), 58-48, in front of a crowd of 7,442 in Des Moines on Saturday evening. Orlando rallied in the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game, but the comeback attempt fell short as early turnovers and miscues proved too much to overcome.
Predators quarterback Jason Boltus returned to the lineup after missing two games with injury, but the offense struggled to get back into rhythm. Iowa opened the game’s scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run by fullback Derik Steiner. The score was quickly tied at the end of the first as Boltus connected with receiver Khalil Paden on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
The second quarter proved to be tumultuous for the Predators, as the offense turned the ball over three times in the period. Orlando found the end zone once in the quarter after a long kickoff return by Jack linebacker Tanner Varner set up a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Michael Simons. However, Iowa managed to build a 27-14 lead at the midway point off of three touchdown receptions by receiver Darius Reynolds.
Iowa received the ball to open the third quarter, but was quickly denied by Orlando’s defense. Facing 3rd-and-10, Barnstormers quarterback Brian Reader lofted a pass to the end zone before Tanner Varner made a spectacular interception that sent him flying backwards over the dasher board walls. Orlando converted the turnover into points, as Boltus fired a deep 45-yard touchdown pass to Paden to decrease the deficit, 27-21.
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The Barnstormers regained possession and increased their lead off of two unanswered scores, as Reader found Reynolds and Marco Thomas for touchdown completions to put the Predators in a 41-21 hole at the close of the third quarter. Orlando quarterback Bernard Morris entered the game at the start of the final stanza and proceeded to direct the Predators on four-yard, 34-yard drive that was capped off with a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Larry Brackins. Reader hooked up with DeJay Lester on a nine-yard scoring completion during the ensuing series, but the Predators quickly responded as Morris tossed a 16-yard touchdown to Greg Carr to inch closer to the lead, 48-34.
With perfect execution, Predators kicker Mark Lewis successful booted an onside kick and Orlando recovered to maintain possession midway through the fourth. Four plays later, Morris again hooked up with Brackins – this time from nine yards out – to make it a one-score game with 4:25 remaining on the clock.
After recovering Orlando’s second onside kick attempt, the Barnstormers quickly found the end zone as Thomas caught a four-yard touchdown. Needing a quick answer, Morris fired a 20-yard pass to Brackins, who outmuscled a defender in the end zone to come up with the score for the Predators.
Trailing 55-48 with 36 seconds remaining in the game, Orlando attempted another onside kick, but Iowa managed to recover. The Predators would stop the Barnstormers on three consecutive runs, but kicker Ross Gornall successfully converted on a 22-yard field goal attempt on fourth down to seal the contest, 58-48.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Iowa QB Brian Reader
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Iowa DE Mike Lewis
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Iowa DB Devon Dace
Cutters Catch of the Game: Darius Reynolds 43-yard touchdown catch from Brian Reader
AFL Highlight of the Game: Iowa Mike Lewis forced fumble and recovery (2nd Quarter)
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