The Orlando Storm win their last home game of the regular season in dominant fashion as they breeze past the reigning champions, DC Defenders, with the final score of 27-19.
Orlando returned to Inter&Co Stadium after two weeks away in the state of Texas. This game proved important, as the result could shake up the entire playoff picture.
Storm quarterback Jack Plummer wasted no time and quickly captained a three-and-a-half-minute drive that would culminate in a 62-yard passing touchdown to Chris Rowland.
DC moved down the field but were unable to make it past Orlando’s 43-yard line. Kicker Matt McCrane would give the Defenders their first points of the evening.
The remainder of the first quarter would be all defense until DC would take the lead with 51 seconds remaining after running back Deon Jackson would punch the ball into the endzone for a touchdown.
As the second quarter was beginning, the Storm’s Jack Plummer would once again take no time to lead another scoring drive. This time, he would find Elijhah Badger for a 41-yard passing touchdown.
Orlando would score once again with 3:38 remaining in the half, this time it was Cam Camper with a four-yard receiving touchdown, giving the Storm a 21-10 lead going into halftime. This would be Orlando’s highest-scoring first half of the season.
Coming back from halftime, the Defenders and the Storm would score a field goal each during the third quarter. DC would attempt a fake punt with 18 seconds left, but came up short of the first down. Orlando would regain possession to start the fourth quarter.
For most of the remaining quarter, the Storm would run the ball with the hopes of icing the game. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane would make two field goals this quarter, but they were clearly not enough for DC.
With 25 seconds left, Orlando kicker Michael Lantz would hit his second field goal of the evening, making the Storm’s seventh victory this season official.
The final score from Inter&Co Stadium was 27-19 in favor of the Storm as they now improve to 7-2 and remain in sole possession of the number one seed. Up next, they will travel to Washington, D.C., to once again take on the Defenders on Sunday, May 31st, for their season finale.
