Barnstormers Lose Heartbreaker
Iowa Barnstormers
Barnstormers Fall to Storm 51-49
DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers lost a heartbreakre to the Sioux Falls Storm, 51-49, Friday Night at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Iowa Barnstormers started out strong when quarterback Drew Powell connected with wide receiver Ryan Balentine for an early touchdown, but the extra point was no good, 6-0. The Storm answered back with two touchdown passes from quarterback Lorenzo Brown to wide receiver Damien Ford taking the lead, 14-6. The Barnstormers closed the gap when Powell found receiver Brady Roland in the end zone for a touchdown, 14-13.
In the second quarter, Iowa’s running back Donavan Williams marched the ball into the end zone on a short touchdown run, 20-14. Sioux Falls responded with a touchdown run of their own from Brown, 21-20. Storm receiver Harrold Judd caught a touchdown pass from Brown, increasing their lead 28-20. Powell responded by once again connecting with Roland for a Barnstormers touchdown, 28-26. The Barnstormers defense scored a safety tying the game, 28-28. A touchdown run from Barnstormers running back Donavan Williams put Iowa in the lead at the half, 35-28.
Sioux Falls started the second half with a 25-yard field goal from kicker Miles Bergner, 35-31. Iowa extended their lead when Powell found receiver Skyler Scott for the touchdown, 42-31. On the next drive, Powell threw another Barnstormers touchdown pass to Roland, 49-31. The Sioux Falls defense scored on a safety and followed with consecutive rushing touchdowns from Brown tying the game, 49-49 in the final quarter. The Barnstormers set up for a field goal in the final seconds of the game which was blocked by the Storm and sent into the end zone. In a chaotic attempt at recovery, the Storm fumbled the ball which was then covered by the Barnstormers giving Sioux Falls a safety and the win, 51-49, in a heartbreaking loss for the Barnstormers.
The Iowa Barnstormers have clinched a playoff spot, but contention remains to be decided as the race to first place continues. The Barnstormers will return home to Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, June 16 as they take on in-state rivals the Cedar Rapids Titans in the final regular-season game of the year. Kickoff is at 7:05pm. Tickets are available now for as low as $12. Contact the Barnstormers front office for more information at 515-633-2255.
