TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Inside The Rivalry: Storm Vs. Predators

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 26, 2008

4 MEMORABLE GAMES

June 1, 1991 - The first meeting between the rivals went to Orlando, as the Predators won 51-38. It was the Storm's only home loss that season. Orlando went on to finish 3-7, while Tampa Bay went on to win its title with a 48-42 win over the Detroit Drive in ArenaBowl V.

Sept. 1, 1995 - In front of a record 25,087 fans at the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg, Storm QB Jay Gruden threw four touchdowns and ran for another, and George LaFrance earned MVP honors with a pair of touchdown grabs and a kickoff return for another score in Tampa Bay's 48-35 victory over Orlando in ArenaBowl IX.

Aug. 23, 1998 - Tampa Bay QB Peter Tom Willis threw six interceptions, and Orlando FB Rick Hamilton ran for a championship-game record 82 yards and three touchdowns in the Predators' 62-31 upset over Tampa Bay in ArenaBowl XII at the Ice Palace in Tampa.

June 9, 2002 - For the first time since he came out of retirement, Predators QB Jay Gruden faced the team he led to four ArenaBowl titles. However, the Storm spoiled the reunion, winning 48-45 in Orlando on a Scott Milanovich touchdown pass with 7 seconds remaining.

4 DEFINING MOMENTS

•During a Week 2 meeting in Orlando in 1993, Storm QB Jay Gruden's wife, Sherry, felt the wrath of Predators fans when they doused her with beer, soda and popcorn while yelling profanities. For a number of years after that, many Storm fans chose to wear ponchos during the team's annual trip to Orlando.

•The fans have been a big part of this rivalry, and they've had some memorable displays of their affection for their teams - and hatred of the opposition. Some of the more memorable displays: with a playoff berth on the line during a mid-1990s matchup, Storm fans brought toilet seats to the stadium with signs reading, "Hey, Orlando. Here's your ring." And, during a 1996 preseason game in Orlando, a sign by a Predators fan read, "Hey, Tampa! We Hate You, Man!"

•In 1997, Orlando's Barry Wagner predicted the Predators would defeat their heated rival at home to sweep the season series. The owner of the Orlando Arena jumped behind the boisterous star and promised to buy a pizza for every fan in attendance - there were 16,529 that night - if Orlando lost. Wagner and the Predators made good, defeating Tampa Bay 54-30.

•The teams have mixed it up plenty of times on the field, but maybe none more memorable than in 2005. Storm lineman Rashied Simmons was carted off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a concussion during a fight that took place during the game. Oh, and it was during the preseason.

4 NOTABLE PLAYERS TO PLAY FOR BOTH TEAMS

•WR/LB Clif Dell - A local product who played at Jesuit and King and at the University of South Florida, he won AFL championships with both teams.

•QB Jay Gruden - Current Orlando coach led Tampa Bay to four AFL titles during his playing days with the Storm and later came out of retirement and played two seasons for the Predators.

•QB Pat O'Hara - Tampa Bay's current offensive coordinator spent six seasons in uniform with the Predators and was Orlando's quarterback during its victory over Tampa Bay in ArenaBowl XII.

•WR/LB Stevie Thomas - Many Storm fans may not remember, but after nine seasons in Tampa Bay, this fan favorite spent one season in Orlando.

4 OF THE BEST TO WEAR A PREDATORS UNIFORM

•WR/LB Barry Wagner - Public Enemy No. 1 on the list of Storm fans, and hated as much for his swagger as his skills, Wagner was arguably the greatest player in AFL history.

•WR/KR Herkie Walls - Hall of Famer was an electrifying player and was a Predators fan favorite during his six seasons.

•DB Kenny McEntyre - Three-time league defensive player of the year and current Predator could give Storm headaches today.

•QB Ben Bennett - Hall of Famer led Predators to two ArenaBowl appearances in his six seasons.

4 OF THE BEST TO WEAR A STORM UNIFORM

•WR/LB Lawrence Samuels - Longtime Storm player has saved some of his biggest games for Orlando, and Tampa Bay could use one today.

•WR George LaFrance - AFL Hall of Famer and one of the league's all-time greats.

•DB Tracey Perkins - Spent nine seasons in Tampa Bay and was consistently one of top defensive playmakers.

•OL/DL Sylvester Bembery - The six-time All-AFL performer was an impact player on both sides of the line.

4 BY THE NUMBERS

4

Current consecutive wins in the series by Orlando, the second-longest streak in the history. Tampa Bay won five straight between 1994 and 1996.

7

Number of AFL championships Tampa Bay and Orlando have combined to win, out of 21. Tampa Bay won titles in 1991, '93, '95, '96 and 2003; Orlando in 1998 and 2000.

30

Number of players who have played for both Tampa Bay and Orlando during their careers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

66

Combined point differential between the teams in 41 previous meetings. Orlando has scored 1,802 points and Tampa Bay 1,736.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT