Sioux Falls Storm Capture United Conference Championship
Written by Kaylie Behring
The Sioux Falls Storm captured their sixth consecutive United Conference Championship after defeating the Cedar Rapids Titans on Saturday, July 16th in a 54-28 battle.
Cedar Rapids would score first after Dylan Favre hit Lemans Casimier with an eight-yard pass to take an early lead of 7-0. The Storm would answer with back-to-back touchdowns when Lorenzo Brown found a gap for a one-yard run into the endzone, and Tyler Knight returned a 36-yard fumble, bringing the Storm lead to 13-6. The Titans would score one final time before ending the first quarter after a three-yard run by Venric Mark, bringing the score to 13-13.
The Storm continued their momentum in the second quarter after an 11-yard run by Lorenzo Brown, and a 22-yard field goal by Justin Syrovatka, extending the Storm lead to 23-16. Nicholas Belcher of the Titans would kick a 21-yard field goal, bringing the score to 23-16. Caleb Holley recovered a fumble in the endzone, ending the half with a score of 30-16.
Cedar Rapids scored first in the second half after Nicholas Belcher kicked a 32-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 30-19. Syrovatka answered back with a 19-yard field goal, boosting the Storm's lead to 33-19. Nicholas Belcher kicked a 24-yard field goal, bringing the score to 33-22. The Storm would score one touchdown in the third quarter after Brown connects with Korey Williams on a 19-yard pass, ending the quarter at 40-22.
The Titans would score first in the fourth quarter after a one-yard run into the endzone by Venric Mark, making the score 40-28. Sioux Falls would end the game after back-to-back touchdowns when Brandon Johnson-Farrell scored with a ten-yard run, and Lorenzo Brown with a 16-yard run, ending the game with a score of 54-28.
Quarterback Lorenzo Brown completed six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He also tallied 70 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Johnson-Farrell garnered 65 rushing yards and one touchdown, while also catching two passes for 33 yards. Korey Williams caught two passes for 27 yards and scored one touchdown. Caleb Holley recorded one touchdown. Matt Hermanson and Elijah Fields led the Thunder Defense with 10 tackles. Claude Davis had eight tackles and three pass breakups.
The Storm moves to 16-1 on the season while the Titans fall to 12-5. The Storm will be back in action on Saturday, July 23rd at 7:05 pm (CT) when they play in the United Bowl.