Following the Orlando Predators win over the Portland Steel, the media gathered around and asked about a curious decision late in the game. After taking the lead, the Predators executed an onside kick, hoping to give a short field and get an extra offensive possessions. Those offensive possessions, coach Rob Keefe explained, were critical in arena football where games can come down to who has the ball last.
With the Predators getting stopped for the first time all season and turning the ball over four times, they were already behind the eight-ball and having to make up ground. Some timely onside kicks and clock management would be the only way to get back in.
Every second would count.
So fighting for an extra second at the end of the first half to force a field goal attempt? Critical.
Going for onside kicks in the fourth quarter to set up that last possession? Critical.
More critical when considering the Predators defense finally stepped back up and got a stop after struggling through much of the second half as the Predators had to keep pace.
Terrance Taylor strip sacked Sharks quarterback Tommy Grady with the Sharks staring an and-goal situation.
The Orlando Predators made them pay. With 30 seconds remaining, Randy Hippeard fired a pass to Greg Carr, placing it perfectly in his outstretched hand, breaking a tie and giving the Predators the lead for good.
The defense held firm in the end zone once again. Varmah Sonie finally broke up two passes to Joe Hills and the Orlando Predators held on for a 63-56 win at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Monday, improving to 3-0 this season.
The Predators were struggling for sure. Hippeard threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone on the game’s opening drive, and fumbled twice. Orlando went down by 13 points at one point in the second quarter.
Keefe though brilliantly managed the clock in the final minute of the first half to help the Predators get back into the game and stay within one possession at halftime. It took some strong execution too as the Predators recovered an onside kick to keep the gap close.
They fought for that extra second to end the second quarter. Jacksonville elected to try a field goal that missed wide right, bounced off the netting and to Brandon Thompkins, who returned it for a touchdown for a six-point halftime deficit.
Then to open the second half, Orlando recovered another onside kick and was able to see saw into the lead with Jacksonville having missed a point after touchdown earlier in the game.
The Predators had that one more play as the defensive line came up big late in the game and Hippeard made a big play with his arm to give the Predators firm control late.
Hippeard finished throwing 26 for 37 with 296 yards and four touchdowns. Greg Carr had seven catches for 108 yards and his lone touchdown, the game winner. Hippeard also ran in two more touchdowns.
It was not the cleanest game for the Predators, like it was last week against the Steel. Orlando had to convert some big third- and fourth-down conversions to hold on again. The team was more than capable at converting these. The Predators have clearly established themselves as one of the top teams in the league at this early stage.
Again, Orlando found a way to scratch out the victory. A small measure of revenge after falling behind by that one possession and never recovering in last year’s playoffs to Jacksonville. These two teams will meet again this season (twice) and possibly further down the road.
The Predators are 3-0 and right where they want to be.
