In a moment the Orlando Predators’ season was set to change. Randy Hippeard left the game midway through the fourth quarter in Jacksonville. He would later be placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, putting the most important position in Arena Football in jeopardy.
That game against Jacksonville, Bernard Morris stepped in and threw two passes. Both went for touchdowns and the Predators held on for a 10-point win, securing home field for the first round of the Playoffs (tickets are on sale today).
Morris got the start against the Tampa Bay Storm. He did what Morris has always done throughout his career. He stepped up and performed.
Morris won Arena Football League Offensive Player of the Week after throwing 16 for 23 for 131 yards and five touchdowns. He added three rushing touchdowns and 31 yards rushing. The Predators won easily to reach 11 wins and cement themselves further at the top of the Arena Football League’s standings.
The Predators, as they learned last year when Morris stepped in for Hippeard, knows what is expected of him and can win in the Arena Football League.
“Bernard is a winner,” coach Rob Keefe said. “He has a swagger that you can’t teach. These are intangibles that you can’t find at a combine. You can’t find a person who is comfortable in pressure situations. He just has it. It’s that it factor. The players see that. They know it, they feel it. It’s Bernard’s team right now and he is going to run with it.”
The Predators do not seem to show any signs of slowing down as they enter the league-wide bye week and prepare for two difficult games on the road against Portland and Arizona before closing the season at home against the Philadelphia Soul.
Morris is more than capable of performing at a high level.
He started seven games last year and threw for 1,725 yards and 32 touchdowns in 14 appearances. He was an able replacement, but the Predators made their run to win a division title when Hippeard came back. There is some comfort with Morris in place, but he still has to prove himself.
The Predators have certainly improved around him. His ability to run the football adds a new dynamic to the offense. His small struggles throwing the ball seem to go to the wayside, especially as he found a rhythm in last week’s win over Philadelphia.
Morris has thrown for 374 yards on 38-for-60 passing in 11 games played this year. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns already, completing 6.2 yards per pass attempt (Hippeard is at 8.2 per attempt). Morris still has some work to do. But there is confidence he can add a new dynamic to the team and help the Predators complete their mission to win an Arena Bowl.
“My game won’t change,” Morris said. “We’re just going to go out there and play our football. If it’s a run package or light up the scoreboard and put up 80 points, we’re going to do what we have to do.”
Morris has that dynamism the Predators need to stay competitive at the very top of the league. The Predators are still the favorite to win the league and could land a coveted top seed for the Playoffs. Orlando has done its work to get to the top.
Changing quarterbacks midseason is certainly an impediment. But Morris is someone everyone on the team is more than familiar with.
That should alleviate some questions with Hippeard unavailable.
“Everybody in the locker room outside of a few rookies has played with me or payed against me,” Morris said. “They know it’s a good time. A lot of people don’t call a lot of QB runs. When I get my shot, I try to make it worth it.”
There is no sign Morris will not make it work. The Predators are a talented team outside the quarterback position. They have receivers who fit each other well and they methodically work the ball up the field. They are able to get stops and force turnovers defensively too. This is a complete team.
With a new leader in the huddle now, the Predators have some adjustments to make right before the Playoffs. But it looks like they will be more than ready to take that step up.
Orlando City closes deal for stadium land
Orlando City has secured the final piece of property needed to complete its new stadium deal, closing on a $22 million purchase of city-owned land for the stadium.
The cost includes repayment for stormwater pond modifications that needed to be made for the stadium’s construction.
The new stadium sits just west of the Amway Center in Downtown Orlando. Vertical construction is already nearing completion as the stadium has taken shape in the Parramore community.
Orlando City is expected to begin playing in the new stadium next season.
