Steel almost knock off Orlando

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 10, 2016

ORLANDO — The Portland Steel had the ball last with a chance for a huge road upset, but the Orlando Predators held on for a 53-50 win Saturday before 10,732 fans at Amway Center.

The teams traded leads 10 times during a furious second half.

Portland took a 50-46 lead on Bryson Kelly’s 1-yard run with 49 seconds to go.

But Orlando got a huge kickoff return from Brandon Thompkins, who escaped several tacklers and made it to the Portland 5-yard line to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Orlando QB Randy Hippeard with 27 seconds remaining.

After their own kickoff return, the Steel took over with 18 seconds left, and defensive back Kent Richardson interecepted Portland QB Danny Southwick near midfield to preserve the win as Orlando improved to 2-0 in the Arena Football League season.

The Steel (0-2) will play at the Philadelphia Soul at 1 p.m. PT Sunday, April 17.

Portland was coming off an 80-28 season-opening loss at home last week to the Arizona Rattlers. This Steel performance, and defense in particular, was much better in Week 2.

“Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come, that we’re going in the right direction,” Steel coach Ron James said.

Southwick was 25 of 38 passing for five touchdowns and 223 yards, with the one interception.

His top receivers: Jabin Sambrano, 11 catches, 73 yards, two touchdowns; Tim Gilson, seven catches, 83 yards, one touchdown; and Jared Perry, six receptions, 59 yards, two TDs.

“Danny managed the game really well, showed some good leadership and grit,” James said. “The offensive line played a lot better (than in the opener). Danny had some time to throw the ball and move the ball downfield with efficiency.”

Orlando QB Randy Hippeard completed 14 of 28 for six touchdowns and 228 yards, with no interceptions.

The Predators had beaten the Tampa Bay Storm 76-25 in last week’s opener, and Saturday’s game versus Portland was the home opener for Orlando.

“The defense played really well,” James said.

Orlando led 6-0, but Portland tied the score on a drive capped by Bryson Kelly’s 1-yard touchdown run, after a 3-yard blast by Colt Lyerla.

The Predators scored on the final play of the first quarter to go up 13-6 on Hippeard’s second TD pass.

Sambrano hauled in a 4-yard, fourth-and-1 scoring pass from Southwick midway through the second quarter, and Ernesto Lacayo’s PAT tied the score at 13-13.

With 31 seconds left in the half, Hippeard found Thompkins in the end zone for a 20-13 lead.

On the final play of the half, Lacayo kicked a 31-yard field goal to bring the Steel to within 20-16.

Early in the third quarter, it was wide receiver Perry catching a TD pass from Southwick from 16 yards. Lacayo’s kick made it 23-20 for Portland.

The Predators came back with a TD with 5:13 left in the third quarter to go in front 26-23. The PAT was no good off the right upright.

Gilson’s 38-yard TD reception put Portland in the lead 30-26.

Orlando led 33-30 through three quarters.

Perry scored from 6 yards as the Steel regained the lead, 37-33, with 9:18 remaining.

Orlando answered for a 39-27 lead.

With 6:11 left, Southwick hooked up with Sambrano for a 13-yard touchdown, giving the Steel a 43-39 advantage.

Hippeard hit Thompkins from 48 yards, though, and Orlando was back on top 46-43.