Storm

Late TD sends Storm to first 0-4 start

Team is uncomfortable with new, uncharted territory.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published March 24, 2007

TAMPA - You can look back and blame any number of things for Friday's loss that dropped the Storm to a depth it had never before sunk. You can blame the penalties, the turnovers, the fact that when it absolutely needed to gain a yard, it instead lost 2.

But no matter how you choose to break it down, the fact remains: The Storm is 0-4, and the feeling in the locker room is not a pleasant one.

"This is new territory for all of us," quarterback John Kaleo said after a 59-52 loss to New York dropped the Storm to 0-4 for the first time in team history.

The expression on Kaleo's face as he sat in his locker told the story. For three quarters the Storm looked very much like a team capable of rebounding from its 0-3 start. It forced two fumbles, picked off two passes, scored a defensive touchdown and played well in most every facet.

With 14:12 remaining, Kaleo broke off a nifty 7-yard touchdown run that gave the Storm a 52-38 lead. For a team whose biggest lead of the season heading into the game was one point, the margin looked downright comfortable.

But from that point on, it all fell apart.

The Storm turned the ball over on its next four possessions, twice on Kaleo interceptions, once on a fumble and once on downs.

With 9:28 remaining, Dragons linebacker Chris Anthony batted a pass in the air then fielded the ball like a centerfielder. On third and goal from the 2-yard line, Storm defensive back Lynarise Elpheage was flagged for pass interference, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Ja'Mar Toombs.

The extra point tied the score at 52, and the Storm's season officially hit the skids.

"It was a meltdown," Storm coach Tim Marcum said.

Nonetheless, the Storm looked like it might escape with a victory after Kaleo hooked up with veteran receiver Lawrence Samuels on fourth and 10 for a first down at the New York 19-yard line with just more than a minute remaining. But three plays later, fullback Jarrod Penright was stuffed for a 2-yard loss on fourth and 1.

The Dragons 1-2 took over, and quarterback Rohan Davey hooked up with receiver Mike Horacek on a 38-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.

"We just find ways to lose the game," said Kaleo, who finished 24-of-37 with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Storm will look to break its losing streak next weekend at San Jose.

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1407.

Dragons 59, Storm 52

[Last modified March 24, 2007, 00:35:08]