The Tampa Bay Storm (6-3, 2-1) extended its winning streak to four games on Friday as it defeated the host Alabama Vipers (5-5, 1-2) 61-55 in the first-ever meeting between the pair of South division rivals.

The victory marked Tampa Bay’s third consecutive victory on the road, while moving the team into second place in the Southern division behind in-state rival Jacksonville Sharks. Alabama’s 55 points was just the first time in Tampa Bay’s last five contests in which they have allowed the opposition more than 50 points.

Tampa Bay edged out another close victory, just as it has in recent weeks after leading by a significant margin. The Storm took a 54-41 lead into the game’s final 15 minutes, but Alabama scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to just seven. Alabama capped the scoring with 26 seconds left, but a failed onside kick attempt allowed the visitors to prolong its longest winning streak of the season.

Alabama quarterback Kevin Eakin compled 32-of-44 passes for nearly 400 yards and seven scores, while Brett Dietz registered 258 yards and six touchdowns on 20 completions. Vipers receiver Larry Shipp led all receivers with 14 catches, 208 yards and four touchdowns, while Tampa Bay’s Hank Edwards and DeAndrew Rubin each recorded a pair of scores on the night.

Tampa Bay’s defense came out strong from the start, forcing two turnovers on as many Alabama possessions to begin the contest, giving the Storm a 13-7 lead going into the second quarter.  Dietz got things started by connecting with Edwards on a double post route.  Erick McIntosh intercepted a pass from Eakin to set up the score. Dietz then found Rubin on Tampa Bay’s ensuing drive, giving Tampa Bay a 13-0 lead after Kelvin Kinney forced a fumble to set up the Storm’s second touchdown of the night. Eakin cut the deficit to just one score after finding Johnson in the endzone with 1:20 remaining in the quarter, bringing the score to 13-7.

Dietz found Rubin once again to open the second quarter, which increased the lead to two touchdowns, but Dan Alexander countered with a touchdown to make it 20-14. Sedrick Robinson scored  to regain the two-score lead, while his teammates on the other side of the ball maintained the pressure with which they opened the contest. Michael Hawthorne padded the Storm advantage with an interception from 10 yards out to give Tampa Bay a 21-point lead into the intermission after an additional score by Tom Kaleita.

The first drive of the second half,  Rivas converted a field goal to put the Storm up by 24.  Eakin connected with Shipp on two separate occasions in the period, but Tampa Bay’s offense remained relentless. The Storm continued to put points on the board, including a touchdown by James “Dusty” Bear to close the third quarter, including an additional three points by Rivas to bring the score to 54-34 as the fourth quarter opened.

Alabama scored three times in the final period, including a pair of touchdown passes to C.J. Johnson and Jeremy Grier. The Vipers, down by just seven points with 26 seconds remaining after overcoming a 20-point disadvantage, attempted to put together a last-minute drive which would have potentially tied the game, but Peter Martinez’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Tampa Bay to seal the victory.