ArenaBowl XII
Encyclopedia
Arena Bowl XII was the Arena Football League's twelfth Arena Bowl. In this match-up, it pitted the #4 Orlando Predators
(9-5) of the National Conference against the #1 Tampa Bay Storm
(12-2), also of the National Conference. This would be the second and final ArenaBowl to have the "War On I-4" rivalry on the big stage. For the Predators, this was their fourth ArenaBowl appearance in their eight years of existence (having lost ArenaBowls' VI, VIII, & IX). This year, they were under the command of first-year head coach (and former Tampa Bay Storm QB) Jay Gruden
. For the Storm, this was their eighth overall appearance as they were going for their fifth ArenaBowl title in eight seasons. Now, not only would they face their arch-rival, but they would also have to go up against their former star player in Jay Gruden.
getting a 23-yard field goal, yet the Storm took the lead with QB Peter Tom Willis
completing a 12-yard TD pass to OS George LaFrance
. Orlando would respond with QB Pat O'Hara
completing a 23-yard TD pass to OS Robert Gordon
, yet Tampa Bay answered with Willis and LaFrance hooking up with each other again on a 9-yard TD pass.
In the second quarter, the Predators drew closer with back-up QB Connell Maynor getting a 3-yard TD run, while the Storm had kicker Björn Nittmo
get a 44-yard field goal. Afterwards, Orlando took the lead prior to halftime with FB/LB Rick Hamilton
getting a 36-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Predators took control with Hamilton getting a 5-yard TD run, OL/DL Webbie Burnett sacking Willis in the end zone for a safety, Hamilton getting a 10-yard TD run, and WR/DB Barry Wagner
returning a missed field goal 48 yards for a touchdown. The only response that Tampa Bay could show was Willis and LaFrance hooking up with each other yet again on a 7-yard TD pass. Afterwards, Orlando wrapped up the period with Cool kicking a 20-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, the Predators continued its beatdown with DS Damon Mason
returning an interception 22 yards for a touchdown (with a failed PAT). All that was left of the Storm's fire power was Willis' 8-yard TD pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas (with a failed PAT). Immediately afterwards, Orlando wrapped up its very first Arena Bowl title with Gordon returning a kickoff 8 yards for a touchdown.
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...
(9-5) 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....
(12-2), also of the National Conference. This would be the second and final ArenaBowl to have the "War On I-4" rivalry on the big stage. For the Predators, this was their fourth ArenaBowl appearance in their eight years of existence (having lost ArenaBowls' VI, VIII, & IX). This year, they were under the command of first-year head coach (and former Tampa Bay Storm QB) 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,...
. For the Storm, this was their eighth overall appearance as they were going for their fifth ArenaBowl title in eight seasons. Now, not only would they face their arch-rival, but they would also have to go up against their former star player in Jay Gruden.
Game summary
In the first quarter, the Predators drew first blood with kicker David CoolDavid Cool
David Cool is a former Arena Football League player, having kicked for the Orlando Predators from 1998-2002 before finishing his career with the Chicago Rush and Tampa Bay Storm in 2003. He went to Georgia Southern University....
getting a 23-yard field goal, yet the Storm took the lead with QB Peter Tom Willis
Peter Tom Willis
Peter Tom Willis is a former college and professional American football quarterback. From 1998-2008 he served as the radio color commentator for the Florida State University Seminoles, where he played his collegiate football....
completing a 12-yard TD pass to 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...
. Orlando would respond with QB 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 23-yard TD pass to OS Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon , a 17th century merchant and philanthropist, was born in Aberdeen. He was the only son of Arthur Gordon who married Isabella Menzies of Balgownie...
, yet Tampa Bay answered with Willis and LaFrance hooking up with each other again on a 9-yard TD pass.
In the second quarter, the Predators drew closer with back-up QB Connell Maynor getting a 3-yard TD run, while the Storm had kicker Björn Nittmo
Björn Nittmo
Björn Arne Nittmo is a retired American football placekicker, being the first Swedish-born player ever in the National Football League.-Football career:...
get a 44-yard field goal. Afterwards, Orlando took the lead prior to halftime with FB/LB Rick Hamilton
Rick Hamilton
Richard R. Hamilton is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Jets. He played college football at the University of Central Florida. He also played for the Orlando Predators ....
getting a 36-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Predators took control with Hamilton getting a 5-yard TD run, OL/DL Webbie Burnett sacking Willis in the end zone for a safety, Hamilton getting a 10-yard TD run, and WR/DB Barry Wagner
Barry 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...
returning a missed field goal 48 yards for a touchdown. The only response that Tampa Bay could show was Willis and LaFrance hooking up with each other yet again on a 7-yard TD pass. Afterwards, Orlando wrapped up the period with Cool kicking a 20-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, the Predators continued its beatdown with DS Damon Mason
Damon Mason
Damon Mason is an American football defensive back for the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League. He played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette....
returning an interception 22 yards for a touchdown (with a failed PAT). All that was left of the Storm's fire power was Willis' 8-yard TD pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas (with a failed PAT). Immediately afterwards, Orlando wrapped up its very first Arena Bowl title with Gordon returning a kickoff 8 yards for a touchdown.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter- ORL - FG Cool 23
- TB - LaFrance 12 pass from Willis (Nittmo kick)
- ORL - Gordon 23 pass from O'Hara (Cool kick)
- TB - LaFrance 9 pass from Willis (Nittmo kick)
2nd Quarter
- ORL - Maynor 3 run (Cool kick)
- TB - FG Nittmo 44
- ORL - Hamilton 36 run (Cool kick)
3rd Quarter
- ORL - Hamilton 5 run (Cool kick)
- ORL - Safety Burnett
- ORL - Hamilton 10 run (Cool kick)
- ORL - Wagner 48 missed field goal (Cool kick)
- TB - LaFrance 7 pass from Willis (Bowden run)
- ORL - FG Cool 20
4th Quarter
- ORL - Mason 22 Interception Return (Cool kick failed)
- TB - Thomas 8 pass from Willis (Nittmo kick failed)
- ORL - Gordon 8 Kickoff Return (Cool kick failed)