Predators start with big victory
The Orlando Predators opened their 25th Arena Football League season with their largest margin of victory ever against the Tampa Bay Storm, prevailing 76-25 Friday in Tampa.
TAMPA — The Orlando Predators came into Friday night ’s Arena Football League opener against the Tampa Bay Storm seeking a confidence booster to kick off the franchise’s 25th season.
What they got instead was a laugher.
Quarterback Randy Hippeard threw for six touchdowns, and the Predators handed the Storm a 76-25 defeat — the largest margin of victory in series history — before an announced crowd of 9,928 at Amalie Arena.
It was the Preds’ fourth straight triumph in a series they now lead 32-27 all time. Their previous largest margin of victory against the Storm was a 52-13 demolition on April 22, 2006.
“I’m proud of the way the guys fought. I’m proud of the execution,” Preds coach Rob Keefe said. “But the thing I’m most proud of is we started a little slow there, and I thought you saw the rust. I definitely did.
“I was proud of when guys faced some adversity, they were able to handle the moment.”
The Preds scored on every possession and forced four turnovers, including two for scores. Defensive lineman Mike Lewis jumped on a bad snap in the Storm’s end zone less than a minute into the third quarter, and Paul Stephens returned an interception 13 yards for a touchdown later in the quarter.
Varmah Sonie intercepted two passes.
Tampa Bay led for the only time, 7-6, midway through the first quarter before Orlando responded with three unanswered scores. Two came on connections between Hippeard and former FSU receiver Greg Carr, who had seven receptions for 113 yards and four TDs.
Hippeard was 20-of-30 for 241 yards before being replaced by former Jones High QB Bernard Morris.
LaMark Brown caught a team-high nine passes for 105 yards and one TD, and Brandon Thompkins caught two touchdown passes. Former UCF offensive lineman Jordan McCray scored on a 4-yard pass from Morris.
The Preds will host the Portland Steel at 7:30 next Saturday night at Amway Center.
“This is a stepping stone, and definitely the foundation has been laid,” Keefe said. “And now, we’ve got to build that mansion all the way to the ArenaBowl.”