Orlando Predators defeat Tampa Bay Storm in arena football season opener

A crowd of 9,928 fans witnessed the 3,000^th game played in Arena Football League History.   Orlando Predators’ quarterback Randy  Hippeard threw  six touchdown passes, four of them to receiver Greg Carr, as the Predators spoiled Tampa Bay’s season home opener at AMALIE Arena on Friday, April 1, defeating the Storm, 76-25.

Newcomer Adam Kennedy, who played last season at New Orleans, started  at quarterback and completed 12-of-25 passes for 150 yards and three scores.   Veteran receiver T.T. Toliver led all Storm players with two touchdowns on 56 yards receiving.

The Predators ran away with the game at the top of the second half with two defensive touchdowns in 1:55 minutes.

Next week the Storm heads to Quick Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Gladiators.  Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

Score By Quarters        1             2             3             4             Total

Orlando Predators       13         21             21           14           76

Tampa Bay Storm         7           6               6             6             25

1^st Quarter

ORL – Greg Carr 4 pass from Randy Hippeard (kick failed) 10:04.

TAM – Julius Gregory 5 pass from Adam Kennedy  (Craig Peterson kick) 7:27.

ORL – Carr 20 pass from Hippeard (Mark Lewis kick) 00:39.

2^nd Quarter

ORL – Carr 31 pass from Hippeard (Mark Lewis kick)  10:54.

ORL – Terence Moore 4 run (Mark Lewis kick) 6:06.

TAM – Gerald Young 24 pass from Kennedy (kick blocked) 2:51.

ORL – Brandon Thompkins 22 pass from Hippeard (Mark Lewis kick) 00:11.

3^rd Quarter

ORL – Mike Lewis recovered fumble in end zone (Mark Lewis kick) 14:10.

ORL – Paul Stephens 13 interception return (Mark Lewis kick) 13:05.

TAM – T.T. Toliver 19 pass from Kennedy  (kick blocked) 6:35.

ORL – Thompkins 9 pass from Hippeard (Mark Lewis kick) 2:14.

4^th Quarter

ORL – Carr 41 pass from Hippeard (Mark Lewis kick) 14:16.

ORL – Jordan McCray 4 pass from Bernard Morris (Mark Lewis kick) 8:00.

TAM – Tolliver 25 pass from Jonathan Bane (2-point conversion failed) 4:59.

ORL – LeMark Brown 15 pass from Morris (Mark Lewis kick) 2:03.

Statistical Leaders

Passing (C-A-INT-Yds-TDs)

ORL – Randy Hippeard 20-30-0-241-6 , Bernard Morris 4-7-0-50-2

TAM – Adam Kennedy  12-25-2-150-3, Johnathan Bane 3-8-0-50-1,

Rushing (Att-Yds-TDs)

ORL – Terence Moore 1-4-1, Bernard Morris 1-1-0, Jordan McCray 1-4-0.

TAM – Undra Hendrick 2(-1)-0, Jonathan Bane 1-2-0.

Receiving (Rec-Yds-TDs)

ORL – LaMark Brown 9-105-1, Greg Carr  7-113-4, Brandon Thompkins  6-61-2, Brelan Chancellor 1-8-0, Jordan McCray 1-4-1.

TAM – T. T. Toliver  3-56-2, Julius Gregory  4-34-1, Gerald Young  6-81-1, Terrence Ebagua  4-44-0.

KO Returns (No-Yds-TDs)

ORL – Brandon Thompkins  4-71–0, Paul Stephens  1-0-0.

TAM – Gerald Young  5-96-0.

Post-Game Awards:

Under Armour  Offensive Player of the Game – Randy Hippeard, Orlando.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game  – Paul Stephens, Orlando.

1. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Greg Carr, Orlando.

Cutters Catch of the Game – Brandon Thompkins, Orlando, 2:09 3rd quarter.

AFL Highlight of the Game – Mike Lewis, Orlando, fumble recovery in end zone.

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