Tyrone Timmons scores his second touchdown of the game against the Alabama Vipers. It was his 36th of the season setting a new franchise single-season mark, surpassing George LaFrance's 35 touchdown receptions in 1998. (Photo: Chris Arnold)

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Storm defeated the Alabama Vipers, 53-29, on Saturday night in front of 15,685 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

It seemed to take the Storm one quarter to find their game and return to their winning ways. The Storm went scoreless in the first quarter and trailed 10-0 before going on a 33-0 scoring tear.

Storm quarterback Brett Dietz finished the game 19-of-31 for 240 yards and three touchdowns before being replaced by Drew Weatherford in the fourth quarter. On Dietz’ final drive, he found Tyrone Timmons on a 14-yard touchdown reception to open up the fourth quarter to make the score 53-16. The touchdown pass was Dietz’ 100th of the season, making him the just the sixth quarterback in AFL history to reach that mark. With the touchdown, Timmons also set a franchise record for most touchdown receptions in a single season (36) surpassing George LaFrance (35 touchdowns in 1998).

The Storm turned in a less than impressive first quarter. The Vipers jumped out to a quick lead after a Brian Jackson 37-yard field goal on the opening drive. Trying to even the score, Storm kicker Garrett Rivas lined up for a field goal attempt, but his kick was blocked by recently activated Brandon Johnson. The Vipers capitalized on the block and would score on their first play of the drive on a trick play. With 15-seconds remaining in the first quarter, Tony Colston threw a lateral to Michael Johnson. Johnson dropped back and found Dan Alexander wide-open for a 33-yard touchdown to make the score 10-0.

After the scoreless first quarter for Tampa, the Storm’s 33-point scoring tear ended at the 7:31 mark in the third quarter. The route began with an Eric Ortiz touchdown scamper with 11:07 remaining in the first half. After a Michael Hawthorne interception, Ortiz would find the end zone for the second time on consecutive drives. Terrance Royal punched in the Storm’s third rushing touchdown of the half before newly acquired defensive back Jonathan Ordway intercepted a Colston pass. The Storm would capitalize with a Rivas 23-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Dietz would hook up with Hank Edwards to open up the second half on an eight-yard touchdown reception, tallying his first passing touchdown of the evening. Vipers full back Dan Alexander would finally find the end zone on a 32-yard run.  After the drive, Jeffrey Mroz would take over at quarterback for Alabama as they trailed 33-16.

Mroz finished the game 6 of 12 for 44 yards and one touchdown strike.

Hank Edwards led Storm receivers with 88 yards and a touchdown. The Storm tallied four sacks (Cliff Dukes, Kelvin Kinney, Jermaine Smith and Tim McGill) to aid the victory.

Viper fullback/linebacker Dan Alexander compiled 74 rushing yards for two touchdowns and 33 receiving yards for a touchdown.