ArenaBowl IX
Encyclopedia
ArenaBowl IX was the Arena Football League's ninth Arena Bowl. The game featured the #6 Orlando Predators
(7-5) of the National Conference against the #1 Tampa Bay Storm
(10-2), also of the National Conference. This would be the very first ArenaBowl to have the "War On I-4" rivalry featured in it. For the Predators, this was their third ArenaBowl appearance in their first five years of existence (having lost ArenaBowls VI
and VIII
). For the Storm, this was their fourth overall appearance (their second for Tampa Bay) with a chance to get three titles in five years.
getting a two-yard touchdown run, as well as a two-point conversion run. Tampa Bay would respond with Quarterback Jay Gruden
completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas, along with FB/LB Cedric McKinnon rushing into the endzone for the two-point coversion. The Predators responded with Quarterback Pat O'Hara
completing a four-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Alex Shell, yet the Storm immediately answered with OS George LaFrance
returning the kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, it was all Tampa Bay, Gruden and LaFrance hooked up with each other on a 3-yard and a one-yard touchdown pass to take the lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Orlando drew closer as Wagner returned a blocked field goal three yards for a touchdown, yet the unfazed Storm went back to work with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other again on a 35-yard touchdown pass (with a failed PAT).
In the fourth quarter, the Predators played some catch-up as OL/DL Flint Fleming got a 14-yard touchdown run, yet Tampa Bay managed to put some distance between themselves and the Preds with Gruden getting a one-yard touchdown on a Quarterback sneak (with a failed two-point conversion) and WR/DB Tracey Sanders returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. Orlando managed to get another touchdown with O'Hara completing a three-yard touchdown pass to Wagner with exactly one minute left, but there would be no "Miracle Minute" for the Predators as the Tampa Bay Storm got their third ArenaBowl title in five seasons.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
(7-5) of the National Conference against the #1 Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
(10-2), also of the National Conference. This would be the very first ArenaBowl to have the "War On I-4" rivalry featured in it. For the Predators, this was their third ArenaBowl appearance in their first five years of existence (having lost ArenaBowls VI
ArenaBowl VI
ArenaBowl '92 was the Arena Football League's sixth Arena Bowl. The game featured the #2 Detroit Drive against the #1 Orlando Predators...
and VIII
ArenaBowl VIII
ArenaBowl VIII was the Arena Football League's eighth ArenaBowl. The game featured the #3 Arizona Rattlers of the American Conference against the #1 Orlando Predators of the National Conference...
). For the Storm, this was their fourth overall appearance (their second for Tampa Bay) with a chance to get three titles in five years.
Game summary
In the first quarter, Orlando made the opening move with WR/DB Barry WagnerBarry Wagner
Barry Wagner is a retired American football player in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators with whom he won his first ArenaBowl Championship and the San Jose SaberCats, with whom he won two championships. He also played in the World Indoor Football League as a wide...
getting a two-yard touchdown run, as well as a two-point conversion run. Tampa Bay would respond with Quarterback Jay Gruden
Jay Gruden
Jay Gruden is an American football coach and former quarterback. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals and was formerly the head coach of the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He is also a decorated player and coach in Arena Football League history,...
completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas, along with FB/LB Cedric McKinnon rushing into the endzone for the two-point coversion. The Predators responded with Quarterback Pat O'Hara
Pat O'Hara
Patrick O'Hara is an arena football coach and retired quarterback. He is currently the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 10th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
completing a four-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Alex Shell, yet the Storm immediately answered with OS George LaFrance
George LaFrance
George Herbert LaFrance III is a former Arena Football League Offensive Specialist. In a playing career lasting twelve years, he played for the Detroit Drive , the Tampa Bay Storm , and the New Jersey Red Dogs...
returning the kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, it was all Tampa Bay, Gruden and LaFrance hooked up with each other on a 3-yard and a one-yard touchdown pass to take the lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Orlando drew closer as Wagner returned a blocked field goal three yards for a touchdown, yet the unfazed Storm went back to work with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other again on a 35-yard touchdown pass (with a failed PAT).
In the fourth quarter, the Predators played some catch-up as OL/DL Flint Fleming got a 14-yard touchdown run, yet Tampa Bay managed to put some distance between themselves and the Preds with Gruden getting a one-yard touchdown on a Quarterback sneak (with a failed two-point conversion) and WR/DB Tracey Sanders returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. Orlando managed to get another touchdown with O'Hara completing a three-yard touchdown pass to Wagner with exactly one minute left, but there would be no "Miracle Minute" for the Predators as the Tampa Bay Storm got their third ArenaBowl title in five seasons.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter- ORL - Wagner 2 run (Wagner run)
- TB - Thomas 10 pass from Gruden (McKinnon run)
- ORL - Shell 4 pass from O'Hara (Bennett kick)
- TB - LaFrance 57 kickoff return (Cimadevilla kick)
2nd Quarter
- TB - LaFrance 3 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)
- TB - LaFrance 1 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)
3rd Quarter
- ORL - Wagner 3 missed field goal (Bennett kick)
- TB - Thomas 35 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick failed)
4th Quarter
- ORL - Fleming 14 run (Bennett kick)
- TB - Gruden 1 run (Gruden pass failed)
- TB - Sanders 47 interception return (Cimadevilla kick)
- ORL - Wagner 3 pass from O'Hara (O'Hara pass failed)