Barnstormers Fall Short to Shock in Season Opener

Iowa Barnstormers

Coffman Completes Three Touchdowns, Promising Debut for J. Williams

Spokane, WA – The Iowa Barnstormers entered the 2014 season with a suspenseful matchup versus the Spokane Shock in Spokane, Washington. Despite the level of energy brought into the first moments of the game by their revamped lineup, the Barnstormers failed to keep up ending the game with a 64-35 defeat.

Iowa opened the season strong, scoring during the Barnstormers third drive of the game. His AFL debut, Julian Williams hauled in the first touchdown of the game completing a 31-yard pass. Defense continued the momentum by pressuring QB Erik Meyer, resulting in a Barnstormers safety. The Barnstormers closed the first quarter with a 9-7 lead, allowing a Meyer touchdown in the few remaining minutes.

In the second quarter, Carson Coffman connected with receiver Marco Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown. A fumble during the extra point attempt gave Spokane the opportunity for a safety, bringing the game to a 15-9 Barnstormers lead. Spokane responded with two touchdown passes to Adron Tennell, taking control of the lead (15-22). A missed field goal attempt by Martinez was returned by Spokane’s own Terrance Sanders. The first half summed up with the Barnstormers trailing 15-29.

A second half plagued by penalties and turnovers brought the Barnstormers hot streak to a halt. A touchdown pass caught by M. Thomas and a 49-yard fumble recovery by Ter’Ran Benton were not enough for a second half comeback. Spokane kept the pace entering the end zone a total of five times in the third and fourth quarters.

M. Thomas took the Barnstormers offense recording a total of 59 yards and two touchdowns. Coffman finished the game with 21 completed passes out of 40 attempts for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Spokane’s offense was dominated by Tennell who totaled 81 yards for three touchdowns. Meyer contributed 183 total yards, performing 21-28.