Post by DiamondThief on Jun 17, 2017 18:48:09 GMT -8
6/17/17 --
DES MOINES, IA - Both teams knew a win would secure the top seed in the United Conference heading into the playoffs. Both teams also knew a loss could be the end of their season. Only one playoff scenario would allow both teams to earn a playoff spot. That one scenario happened.
The six-time defending champion Sioux Falls Storm turned back the Iowa Barnstormers tonight, 45-24, to earn the first seed in the conference championship game, and an opportunity to host that game. The Barnstormers, courtesy of the Wichita Falls Nighthawks' loss to the Nebraska Danger tonight, have clinched the second seed, and will play the Storm in Sioux Falls in that game next week.
Nebraska will travel to Phoenix to face the Arizona Rattlers on June 24 in the Intense Conference Championship game. The Danger are winless in two meetings against the Rattlers this season. Arizona finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, and Nebraska is 9-7.
With the game deadlocked at 24-24 late in the third quarter, the Storm scored 21 unanswered points to break the game open and come away with the win. The Barnstormers managed only a field goal in the second half.
Mike Tatum's two-yard touchdown catch from Lorenzo Brown on the final play of the third quarter put the Storm up 31-24. Eight-and-a-half minutes later, Brown scored on a 19-yard run to put the Storm up by two touchdowns. With the Barnstormers driving on their next possession Rashard Smith intercepted Barnstormers' quarterback Travis Partridge and returned it 49 yards to ice the win.
Iowa is now 0-6 all-time against Sioux Falls since joining the IFL prior to the 2015 season. Heading into the game, they had a 11-game win streak going. The good news for the Barnstormers is that they have earned their first IFL playoff berth, and will make their first trip to the playoffs since 2009 when they competed in af2, a now-dormant offshoot of the Arena Football League.
The Barnstormers got on the board first on Lucas hefty's two-yard pass from Travis Partridge, but Sioux Falls stormed back on Lorenzo Brown's four-yard run. Iowa took a 14-7 lead with 12 seconds left in the opening quarter when Rasheed Williams ran it in from three yards out.
Brown's four-yard run tied the game at 14-14 with 13:08 to go in the second. Later in the quarter, Partridge found Brady Roland for a 17-yard touchdown pass. Justin Syrovatka's 23-yard field goal drew the Storm to within four, 21-17, at half time.
Sioux Falls took a 24-21 lead on their first possession of the third quarter, but Kenton Chun tied it with a 20-yard field goal.
The Storm had an advantage in total offense, 195 yards to 146, with a 137 to 106 edge in the passing game. Only seven penalties (accepted) were committed in the game; four for 32 yards for the Storm and three for 24 yards for the Barnstormers. Each team's defense recorded an interception.
Brown completed 12 of 18 passes for 137 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also rushed seven times for 30 yards and three scores. Robbie Rouse carried the ball six times for 22 yards and a touchdown, while catching three passes for 47 yards. Tatum had four grabs for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Judd Harrold caught two balls for 40 yards. Tyler Knight was spectacular for the Sioux Falls defense, amassing 11.5 total tackles, a sack and two tackles for a loss. Smith had an interception and Brandon Peguese recorded a sack.
Partridge, a legitimate IFL MVP candidate, went 14 of 22 for 122 yards with two touchdowns and pick. He rushed 15 times for 40 yards. Williams added three receptions for 19 yards to his touchdown run. Roland caught five passes for 57 yards and a score. Ryan Balentine had three catches for 25 yards, while Hefty had three grabs for 21 yards and a touchdown. Jamie Bender, the week 16 IFL Defensive Player of the Week, led the Barnstormers defense with 11 total tackles. Dee Maggitt Jr. had an interception for Iowa.
The Storm end the regular season at 14-2, with their only two losses coming to the Nighthawks. They were 7-1 at home and 9-2 in conference play. The Barnstormers end their regular season at 13-3. They were 6-2 on on the road and 8-3 in conference play. As of this report, next weekend's united Conference Championship game has not been scheduled (we will update this article when information is available).
The Nebraska Danger will visit the Arizona Rattlers in the Intense Conference Championship game on June 24.
Both playoff games will be available for live streaming on the IFL's Youtube Channel, and also will be available locally on FOX Sports Arizona Rattlers Channel, as well as on other media outlets.
SCtoC will feature game previews of both conference championship games next weekend, as well as for the United Bowl.
- ANM
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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