Friday, September 1, 2017

AFL: Rush Beat The Storm, 26-21

TAMPA-The Chicago Rush defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 26-21 in a Week 4 game of AFL Season 2.

The Storm would punt on their first drive to the Rush 3-yard line. Chicago would drive into scoring position, but Dete Justen's 44-yard field goal attempt went wide. Following the miss, Tampa Bay would drive 66 yards on 9 plays. Orval Stanley ended the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Woodrow McKenzie to take a 7-0 lead with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Chicago would respond by moving 76 yards on 12 plays. Lonnie Clements would score on a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 with 12:06 to go in the second quarter. The Storm then had a 16-play, 37-yard drive that ended with Johnny Quincey kicking a 47-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead with 5:19 to go in the half. Justen would miss a 48-yard field goal on the Rush's next possession, then Tampa Bay went three-and-out. Preacher Kalkman's 46-yard punt angled out of bounds at the Chicago 8-yard line. Hershel Kimbrell was then sacked in the end zone by Dazzle L. Singletary in the end zone for a safety with 1:25 left to give the Storm a 12-7 lead at the half.

The Rush would open the second half with a 5-play, 63-yard drive. Kimbrell put an end to the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Calpin. Chicago would miss a 2-Point Conversion, and the score was 13-12 with 12:01 remaining in the third quarter. Tampa Bay would respond with a 10-play, 52-yard drive. Quincey would connect on a 43-yard field goal and the Storm retook the lead at 15-13 with 7:20 to go in the third. The Rush would punt, and the Storm drove for another score, but Quincey missed a 46-yard field goal attempt.

After trading punts, Chicago opened the fourth quarter with a 5-play, 79-yard drive. A 59-yard reception by Zach Allen would set up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Kimbrell to Allen three plays later, and the Rush pulled ahead 20-15 with 12:04 to go in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Vernon Daniel was stripped of the ball and Paden Jonsen recovered for Chicago at the Tampa Bay 29-yard line. After getting eight yards on three plays, Justen would score on a 38-yard field goal to make it 23-15 with 9:45 left in the fourth. After a Storm punt, Chicago would move the ball 21 yards on 10 plays, and Justen kicked a 47-yard field goal making it 26-15 with 5:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay finally got a scoring drive going, moving the ball 71 yards on 6 plays. Stanley tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Foster Warhurst, but the Storm missed a 2-Point Conversion and trailed 26-21 with 2:02 left in the fourth. The Storm kicked deep, hoping to stop the Rush and get the ball back. But by the time Chicago did punt the ball away, the Storm were at their own 20-yard line with 2 seconds left and a deep prayer fell incomplete.

Chicago (3-1) gained 362 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 87 yards on 24 carries. Keith Headrick led the team with 26 yards on 5 carries. Kimbrell was 24-of-33 passing for 304 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked four times, losing 29 yards. Kendall Falcinelli led the receivers with 6 catches for 53 yards. The Rush will visit the Milwaukee Mustangs next week.

Tampa Bay (2-2) gained 314 yards of total offense. The Storm ran for 71 yards on 22 carries. Willie Zachary led the team with 35 yards on 8 carries. Stanley was 20-of-30 passing for 257 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 14 yards. Warhurst was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 71 yards and a TD. The Storm visit the Orlando Predators next week.

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