ArenaBowl X

Arena Bowl X was the Arena Football League's tenth Arena Bowl. In this match-up, it pitted the #2 Tampa Bay Storm of the National Conference against the #1 Iowa Barnstormers of the American Conference. Both teams ended their regular seasons at 12-2, yet Iowa had a better conference record (7-2 to 6-2). For the Storm, they were hoping to get their fourth championship title in six overall appearances, while the Barnstormers (in only their second season) were trying to win their very first league championship game.

In the first quarter, Tampa Bay struck first with QB Jay Gruden completing a 12-yard TD pass to OL/DL Lynn Rowland, yet the Barnstormers took the lead with QB Kurt Warner completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR/LB Chris Spencer and a 30-yard TD pass to OS Lamont 'Lamart' Cooper. The Storm would wrap up the period with Gruden completing a 30-yard TD pass to OS George LaFrance (with a failed PAT). In the second quarter, Iowa increased its lead with Warner completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR/DB Willis Jacox, yet Tampa Bay took control with Gruden completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas. Afterwards, Thomas would return an interception 9 yards for a touchdown. The Barnstormers would wrap up the half with FB/LB Ron Moran getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the Storm increased its lead with Gruden completing a 21-yard TD pass to FB/LB Ivan Caesar, yet Iowa responded with kicker Mike Black getting a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers reclaimed its lead with Warner and Spencer hooking up with each other again on a 4-yard TD pass, yet Tampa Bay retook the lead with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other again on a 7-yard TD pass. Afterwards, Warner would lead Iowa on a late game drive to the Storm's 1-yard, yet on four-straight downs, Tampa Bay kept the Barnstormers out of the end zone.

With the win, the Storm claimed its fourth title in six seasons.

[edit] Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

TB - Rowland 12 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)
IOW - Spencer 16 pass from Warner (Black kick)
IOW - Cooper 30 pass from Warner (Black kick)
TB - LaFrance 30 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick failed)

2nd Quarter

IOW - Jacox 9 pass from Warner (Black kick)
TB - Thomas 35 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)
TB - Thomas 9 Interception Return (Gruden pass)
IOW - Moran 1 Run (Black)

3rd Quarter

TB - Caesar 21 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)
IOW - FG Black 32

4th Quarter

IOW - Spencer 4 yard pass from Warner (Black kick)
TB - Thomas 7 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)

[edit] Trivia

On the Arena Football League's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown (shown on arenafootball.com during the AFL's 20th season), this game was ranked #3. [1]

[edit] External links

ArenaFan Box Score

v • d • e ArenaBowl

I 1987 \| II 1988 \| III 1989 \| IV 1990 \| V 1991 \| VI 1992 \| VII 1993 \| VIII 1994 \| IX 1995 \| X 1996 \| XI 1997 \| XII 1998 \| XIII 1999 \| XIV 2000 \| XV 2001 \| XVI 2002 \| XVII 2003 \| XVIII 2004 \| XIX 2005 \| XX 2006 \| XXI 2007 \| XXII 2008

Arena Football League \| Broadcasters