2nd year q
uarterback Nick Hill and his Predator crew scored an impressive 68 points against the Blaze from Utah to improve to 2-0 on the young AFL season.
Hill tossed 8 touchdown passes on his way to completing 24 passes on 36 attempts with only one turnover, that being an interception late in the contest.
Both clubs seemed to be evenly matched as they traded scores with both quarterbacks looking sharp. Orlando scored on the game’s opening offensive possession as Hill connected with wide receiver Bobby Sippio for a 29 yard touchdown pass. But the Blaze responded right after at the 12:17 mark in the first quarter as Utah was able to knot the score at 7-7.
However the 2nd quarter proved to be the Predators time to hunt as their defense was able to extinguish anything the Blaze put forth as Orlando held Utah to only six 2nd quarter points, which proved to be the death nail for Utah.
Orlando scored 20 unanswered points in 11 minutes as Hill threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers as he connected with T.T. Toliver, Robert Quiroga, and Bobby Sippio.
From that point Orlando held control of the game.
As the Predators entered the 2nd half their defense is what sustained them. Star linebacker Rayshaun Kizer had a late pick six to push the Predators lead to 58 to 33 early in the 4th quarter.
Utah was able to get it a little closer as they scored late off of two Tommy Grady touchdown passes. Yet in the end the Predators offense was just too much for Utah as Orlando came out on top 68 to 53.
Utah’s quarterback Tommy Grady finished the contest with 8 touchdowns and three picks as he connected with receiver’s Ernest Pierce and Aaron Boone for a combined 24 times.
What’s most impressive for Orlando is that their defense was able to cause so many turnovers and convert them into points. Rayshaun Kizer picked off Utah’s Tommy Grady three times as he returned one for a touchdown.
The Predators are off to a fast 2-0 start and look to continue their success next week as they travel out west to take on the Arizona Rattlers.
Game Notes: Predators linebacker Rayshaun Kizer was named playmaker of the game while Predators quarterback Nick Hill took home game most valuable player.
