Box Score SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls Storm Indoor Football team launched the 2024 Indoor Football League season from Moline, IL, on Friday night, taking on the Quad City Steamwheelers to begin their 24th season as an organization.

Andre Fields entered his first game as head coach, leading this new-look Storm team into enemy territory for a tremendous overtime battle between two Eastern Conference rivals. The Storm would fall in overtime 38-32, but there were plenty of big moments and plenty to be excited about for Storm fans.

Coach Fields' roots as a defense-minded coach were apparent early on as the Storm stifled the Steamwheelers' offense on their first possession, resulting in a three-and-out and a missed field goal attempt.

Dajon Emory led the first half defensive charge, finishing with three tackles and two TFL, which tied Claude Davis for the team lead.

Despite the strong defensive effort, Quad City was able to sneak a late first quarter field goal to take a 3-0 lead after a successful field goal attempt from kicker Kyle Kaplan.

The Steamwheelers started the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from Running Back Edwards Vander, who finished with 34 yards and two rushing TD's in his first game with Quad City.

The Steamwheelers offense came knocking again late in the second quarter, threatening to take a 17-0 lead when Storm Defensive Back Cam Harrell picked off a screen pass from Quad City QB Judd Erickson, scoring on the first pick-six of the season for Sioux Falls.

New Storm Kicker Dean Sarris connected on a two-point conversion and the Storm were right back into the game.

Quad City would score on another Vander touchdown in the closing seconds of the half to push the lead out to 17-8 at the intermission.

The Storm made big adjustments at halftime, focusing on getting the ball to Kentrez Bell, the former Strike Force wideout who led the IFL in receiving yards during the 2023 season.

Sioux Falls Quarterback Billy Hall threw his first touchdown pass of the season to Bell on the opening drive of the second half. From there on out, the two offenses were off to the races, with both teams going back and forth in the 3rd quarter exchanging touchdowns.

The Storm capped off the wild quarter with a 2-point "deuce" on a kickoff for Dean Sarris late in the quarter to give the Storm their first lead of the season at 24-23.

That lead wouldn't last long though. Fifth year IFL veteran Jarrod Harrington scored his second touchdown of the night on a diving catch at midfield. Harrington would get up and go untouched for a 40 yard score and the Quad City lead.

The Steamwheelers connected on a Deuce of their own on the ensuing kickoff to push the lead out ounce again, this time at 32-24.
 
The Storm answered with a big offensive blow of their own when Hall made an athletic juke to fake out Steamwheelers defenders and used his speed to race into the endzone for his first rushing touchdown.
 
A successful Sarris two-point conversion tied the game up at 32-32 with only a 4:00 remaining in regulation.
 
The Steamwheelers tried to salt the clock away late, setting up a potential game-winning field goal with 0:01 left in regulation, but a fumbled snap foiled their plans and sent the game into overtime.
 
Quad City got the ball to start the overtime period and scored on an Erickson rushing touchdown, but another fumbled snap on special teams kept it a six-point game.
 
Sioux Falls had an opportunity to win if they could score a touchdown and successful two-point conversion on their overtime drive.The Storm started with a nice midfield catch from Kentrez Bell.
 
Two Storm tried to run the ball on first and goal, but Running Back Bryson Denley was stopped for a two-yard loss.
 
Hall would try to connect with Bell again, this time in the endzone, but was picked off by Steamwheelers defensive back Trey Smith, ending the Storm's incredible comeback effort in a back-and-forth game.
 
Fumbled snaps were a theme in this wild Indoor Football League thriller. The Sioux Falls Storm finished the night with six botched snaps offensively. The Quad City Steamwheelers delt with a pair of botched snaps on special teams in crucial late game situations.
 
Hall finished the night going 8-of-15 for 88 yards and a touchdown in his Storm debut. He also ran the ball 14 times for 59 yards (26 net yards) and a score in the loss.
 
Steamwheelers rookie QB Judd Erickson outdueled Hall, finishing his night 13-for-26 for 169 yards and two passing touchdowns.
 
Storm wide receiver was the top offensive threat on Friday night, providing the lone receiving touchdown in the loss. Carlos Thompson added three catches for 26 yards in his return to the Storm lineup.

Denley provided a nice second half spark for Sioux Falls, finishing the night with four carries and a key touchdown to spark the comeback attempt.
 
Harrington finished the night with two catches for 65 yards for Quad City in the overtime win. Vander added a pair of rushing touchdowns to lead the Steamwheelers ground attack.

Defensively, the Sioux Falls Storm were led by Laronji Vason-McCoy and Kendricks Gladney Jr. Both defensive backs finished the night with seven tackles in the loss.

Defensive Linemen Dajon Emory and Claude Davis each had two TFL and Cam Harrell had the lone pick of the night for the Sioux Falls.
 
The Storm will be back on the road next weekend with a 6:05 PM CT kickoff on March 29^th against the Massachusetts Pirates.

Fans are encouraged to join the Storm at Blue Rock Bar & Grill to watch the game and help cheer on the Storm to victory. Follow the Sioux Falls Storm (@siouxfallsstorm) for more information reguarding Watch Party events this season.
 
Sioux Falls will their first home game on Sunday, April 14^th at 3:05 PM CT against the Tulsa Oilers. Get your tickets now for Faith and Family Day, presented by First PREMIER Bank and join the Storm for a day filled with Indoor Football and fun for the whole family.

Fans are also encouraged to be in their seats before the 2:45 pre-game show. Meet all the new faces in the the 2024 Sioux Falls Storm lineup and you wont want to miss a special one-time only halftime performance from the ZOOperstars!
 
Fans can purchase their tickets to any of the seven (7) Sioux Falls Storm home games during the 2024 Indoor Football League season by visiting the KELOLAND Box Office, located inside the main lobby of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.