U.S. Army Colonel Rodney Haggins flips the coin prior to the Tampa Bay's victory oer the Chicago Rush on Military Night at the St. Pete Times Forum. (Photo: Mitchell Davis)

The Tampa Bay Storm (9-3, 2-1) won its seventh straight game in front of a crowd of 15, 704 at the St. Pete Times Forum on Friday, defeating the Midwest Division-leading Chicago Rush (9-4, 4-2) by a 68-60 decision. The matchup between the two division leaders was televised as the NFL Network’s AFL Game of the Week.

The victory not only helped the South Division leaders maintain first place in the American Conference, but also put an end to Chicago’s three game win streak. Friday’s win also was Tampa Bay’s first over Chicago since May 10, 2002 when the Storm defeated the Rush 66-53 in Tampa.

Quarterback Brett Dietz’s six-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Timmons within the game’s final three minutes broke the game open for the Storm and sealed the win, giving the home team an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter after being up by just four. The game-deciding score was set up by a series of key defensive plays, including Brandon Hefflin’s interception on a potential-tying two-point conversion attempt and Michael Hawthorne’s onside kick recovery, as well as his forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Erick McIntosh. Kelvin Kinney also registered two sacks on the night.

Dietz led Tampa Bay with 359 passing yards and eight scores, out-performing his counterpart, Chicago signal caller Russ Michna, who completed 26 of 38 passes for 334 yards and seven touchdowns. Coming off a record-setting performance last week against Bossier-Shreveport, Hank Edwards turned in another big game, leading all Storm receivers with 172 yards and four scores. Teammate Tyrone Timmons found the paint three times for the Storm.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter despite giving up the game’s opening score to Chicago. Michna got things started when he connected with Alan Turner from 42 yards out to put the Rush up 7-0. Dietz, perfect after going seven-for-seven passing in the initial quarter, countered by finding Edwards in the paint to tie the score at a touchdown apiece. Both Turner and Edwards each scored once more in the period, but a missed extra point by Chicago’s Chris Gould allowed Tampa Bay to take a one-point advantage into the second quarter. Turner capped the night with a four-touchdown performance.

Tampa Bay and Chicago matched each other score for score in the second stanza, with both teams recording a pair of touchdowns apiece through the air and one on the ground. Turner reeled in his third touchdown reception of the night, but was matched by Dietz’s score to Sedrick Robinson that brought the score to 21-20 in favor of the home team.

Turner’s score, the Rush’s first of the quarter, was nearly broken up by Brandon Hefflin, but the Chicago receiver was able to control the tipped ball and bring it down into his hands for six points. Tampa Bay’s defense would not be denied however, as it continued to apply pressure in the secondary and on the line of scrimmage. With Chicago driving and looking to score, Daryon Brutely and Erick McIntosh recorded a pair of pass break-ups to keep the Rush out of the endzone. Following a touchdown each from both teams, Kelvin Kinney maintained the defensive presence by sacking Michna with 45 seconds left in the half. Albeit a strong effort, Chicago’s Clifton Smith rushed in a redzone touchdown shortly after, but was contested by a score by Terrence Royal which allowed Tampa Bay to take a 35-34 lead into the half.

Tampa Bay’s defense continued to control the pace of the game even after the half. Chicago only found the endzone one time in the quarter by means of a 13-yard pass from Michna to the game’s leading receiver Marco Thomas, while Dietz completed a pair of touchdown passes to Hank Edwards. Dietz’s first strike came from 45 yards out, while the other included Edwards making the extra effort and stretching the ball over the goal line as he out-ran a defender. Chicago tried valiantly to close the small margin towards the end of the period, but penalties, a pair of incomplete passes and a tough presence by Storm defenders in the secondary prevented the opposition from putting additional points on the board.

With Chicago down by just two points following a touchdown by Syvelle Newton to open the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay’s defense and special teams came up with numerous big plays that ultimately determined the outcome of the game after shifting the momentum in the Storm’s favor and building a comfortable lead. After Tampa Bay took a 55-47 lead early in the final period, Kelvin Kinney recorded his second sack of the game, setting the tone for numerous pass break-ups and tipped passes from Daryon Brutley and the Storm defensive line.

Perhaps the game’s turning point and decisive play occurred after Clifton Smith found the endzone for the second time on the night. Down 55-53 with just over three minutes remaining, defensive back Brandon Hefflin intercepted a pass on Chicago’s two-point conversion attempt, which prevented the Rush from tying the contest.

Tampa Bay’s special teams took over from there, as Michael Hawthorne recovered an onside kick attempt on the ensuing kickoff. Even though Dietz padded the lead by tossing a six-yard pass to Tyrone Timmons, once again the defense countered with another spectacular play. On Chicago’s next offensive drive, receiver Syvelle Newton caught a pass from Michna, only to be stripped by Hawthorne before the ball fell directly into the hands of Erick McIntosh, who returned the fumble for a touchdown to seal the win.