The weather took a toll on the Storm offense as Storm Head Coach Tighe Stratton said the passing game is a big component of the Storm's offense.
"That definitely takes a toll because I feel like we probably have the most talented core in the league as far as our receivers and we use them a lot," Stratton said. "So, we had to change our game plan, but we knew we had the offensive line and the running backs to change it up and be able to run to set up the pass."
The win was the Storm's fourth straight and put them in good position to secure home field advantage for the playoffs.
"One of the things that we were stressing before the game was that we were basically playing for home field advantage in the playoffs because now we're 5-2 and they're 5-2," said Stratton. "A home game is so huge because they had to travel four hours and we're going to have to travel a similar distance to go [there] if we play them. So, hopefully the advantage is huge."
The Warlords got things going with a 6 yard run by Kiley Nichols to the Warlord 39 yard line. Four rushing plays and 53 yards later the Warlords scored off a three-yard run. The Warlords were unable to add to their 6-0 lead though as they fumbled the snap on the extra point attempt.
On fourth and 11 at the start of the second quarter, the Warlords dropped back to punt, but it was blocked by defensive
The Storm got the ball back after a quick four and out by the Warlords with 1:53 left to play in the half.
On first and 10, Stephens hit Danny Main for a 15-yard pick up. Then on third and two, a face mask penalty by the Warlords advanced the ball down to the Storm 26. Four plays later Dunham hit a 42-yard field goal to put the Storm up 9-6 with 31.3 remaining in the half.
With 6:58 left to go in the third, the Warlords punted the ball away. Geoff Silver took the kick and returned it to the Storm 49. After a pick up of six by Woodson on first and 10, Stephens hit Main for a 19-yard gain with 5:35 remaining in the third. Four plays later, Stephens hit wide receiver Marcus Anderson in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to make it 16-6 Storm after the extra point.
The Warlords got the ball back with 2:10 left to play in the third and took the kick out to their own 21 yard line. Two plays later, with the Warlords on their own 32, a face mask penalty by the storm advanced the ball 15-yards setting up a first and 10.
The Warlords started the fourth quarter with a second and 11 after a one yard loss by their ball carrier at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth the Warlords quarterback Kiel Canada completed an 11-yard pass for a first down. A few plays later there was a scary moment in the game as Canada dropped back to pass with about 12 minutes remaining in the game and was taken down hard on the play by defensive end Vince Thompson. Canada remained motionless on the field for several minutes until the Rescue Squad arrived to carry him off the field.
Three plays after the game resumed, the Warlords scored off a four-yard touchdown run to make the score 16-12 after a failed two point conversion with 9:40 left to play in the game.
The injury to Canada seemed to cause emotions to run high though as some fighting and personal fouls cropped up in the last few minutes of the game, which also included the ejection of Storm running back Steve Gore.
Stephens went 5-18 for 66-yards, with one touchdown, but had two interceptions. The Storm rushed for a combined 69 yards.
The Warlords rushed for 197 yards on 41 carries and were 1-13 combined for 11 yards and one interception by Silver.
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