LA Kiss Lose Nail Biter against Storm
On Saturday, the LA Kiss had a chance to get one step closer to the AFL Playoffs. The LA Kiss entered the game 4-12 on the season, but still alive in the National Conference for that fourth and final seed.
Unfortunately, like last week against the Arizona Rattlers, a slow start would plague the LA Kiss. It wouldn’t be as bad as 34-0, but after the first quarter, the Tampa Bay Storm led 10-0.
The Kiss would fight back as they have done all year by scoring twice in that second quarter, a 2-yard rushing touchdown by offensive lineman Miles Mason, and a 19-yard connection from quarterback Danny Southwick to wide receiver Donovan “Kaptain” Morgan. At halftime, the LA Kiss led 14-10 against the Storm.
The second half was a back and forth battle between two teams still eyeing the playoffs. The Storm would strike first to retake the lead, and with just under 5 minutes left in the 3rd, Mason would score his second touchdown of the day. LA Kiss kicker Andre Heidari would miss the extra point. The Kiss would lead 20-17 with one quarter left. Both offenses pulled out all the stops in the 4th quarter. The game was unfolding as one of those games that whichever team has the ball last will probably win. The Storm score quickly in the 4th, but the Kiss answer right back with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Southwick to Morgan once again.
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“Kaptain” Morgan would do what he does week after week, posting 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the season, Morgan has 125 catches, 1,929 yards, and 40 touchdowns. There is no question why the six-year “Kaptain” is an all-star wideout and one of the best receivers in AFL history.
Back to the game, the Storm score again. With 4:05 left in the game, Southwick finds Tom Gilson for a 38 yard touchdown pass to give the Kiss the lead 34-31. Gilson would finish the game with 3 catches for 58 yards and that score. The Kiss defense will have to come through with one stop to win this game. The Storm would use a 6 play drive and score a heartbreaking touchdown with 15 seconds left.
With this tough loss, the Kiss stand at 4-13. Amazingly, even with the loss, the Kiss remain on their last breath in the AFL playoff race. The Spokane Shock won their 6th game, so LA can’t catch them. But, the Portland Thunder are 5-12, and the Las Vegas Outlaws are 5-11-1. The LA Kiss need a lot of help from other teams, but they need to take care of business themselves at home.
The Portland Thunder have to travel to Arizona to face the Rattlers. The Las Vegas Outlaws are hosting the Spokane Shock. The LA Kiss will face the league’s best San Jose Sabercats at Honda Center.
With the Sabercats already locking up home field advantage for the National Conference, they might look to rest some of their players. If that’s the case, the Kiss need to take advantage of that. Obviously, this final game of the season is a must win for the Kiss.
Let’s hope in a week, the LA Kiss fans will have one more game to watch after they beat the Sabercats!