SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls Storm lost to the Arizona Rattlers 33-59 on Saturday, July 24 in Phoenix, AZ.
The first quarter was a back and forth battle. The Storm were the first to strike with a 31-yard field goal by Chase Vinatieri, giving the Storm a 3-0 lead. The Rattlers answered back with a three-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Drew Powell, giving the Rattlers a 3-7. The Storm retook a 10-7 lead after a 19-yard touchdown pass to Alonzo Moore from Lorenzo Brown. The Rattlers ended the quarter with a 10-14 lead after 34-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Miles from Drew Powell.
The second quarter was dominated by the Rattlers. The Storm would score first with a 13-yard pass to Brandon Sheperd from Lorenzo Brown, putting the Storm on top 17-14. The Rattlers would go on to score on three consecutive drives; the first was a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Nick LaSane, the Rattlers got the ball back after an interception and capitalized with a two-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Drew Powell and then another two-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Drew Powell, bringing the score to 17-35. The Storm ended the half with a 35-yard field goal by Chase Vinatieri, bringing the score to 20-35.
The third quarter saw just two scores, one from each team. The Rattlers extended their lead to 20-42 after a three-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Drew Powell. The Storm ended the quarter with a score of 27-42 after a one-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo Brown from Alonzo Moore.
The fourth quarter was dominated by the Rattlers. The Rattlers scored first with a six-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Drew Powell, extending the Rattlers lead to 27-49. The Storm answered with a five-yard touchdown pass to Alonzo Moore from Lorenzo Brown, bringing the score to 33-49. The Rattlers then scored on back-to-back drives to end the game. The first score was a 20-yard field goal by Ernesto Lacayo and then the Rattlers capitalized on a Storm fumble with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Jarrod Harrington, bringing the final score to 33-59.
Storm quarterback Lorenzo Brown completed 11 passes for 116 yards for one touchdown and one interception. Brown also rushed for 46 yards. Running back Nate Chavious rushed for 12 yards along with 25 reception yards and Tre King rushed for 33 yards. Wide receivers Brandon Sheperd had 49 reception yards and one touchdown and Alonzo Moore had 42 reception yards and two touchdowns along with one passing touchdown. Linebacker Marquis Hendrix led the Thunder Defense with nine total tackles. Defensive linemen David Marshall and Cory Thomas each had one pass break-up. Defensive backs Trey Wafford had two tackles for loss and Jermaine Robinson had one pass break-up. Kicker Chase Vinatieri made three out of four extra points and two field goals.
The Storm return home on July 31st to face the second ranked Frisco Fighters for a 7:05 PM kickoff.
