KISS Beat Steel 54-42

(photo credit: Los Angeles KISS/Twitter)

After being dealt a crushing blow to their promising season last week, the Los Angeles KISS were in need of a bounce back win. LA debuted a new look roster, after starting quarterback Nathan Stanley was placed on IR. The KISS struggled early, but they regained their form late as LA bounced back to win in front of a crowd of 7,150 at the Honda Center.

Los Angeles faced off against the Portland Steel, for the second time in three weeks. Portland won the coin toss, and they elected to defer to the second half. Pete Thomas, who is starting over the injured Stanley, got the KISS on the board real quick. Thomas found Justin Wilson and he reached the promise land, as Wilson got his first score of the year, and LA had the quick 7-0 lead.

The Steel had a response, as Shane Austin found Tyrone Goard for a 31 yard touchdown, and the Steel tied the game at seven apiece. A couple minutes later, Thomas and Captain Morgan connected on a 16 yard pass that resulted in a touchdown. Los Angeles had the 14-7 lead, and they kept that lead throughout the rest of the first quarter. On the Steel’s next possession, Austin took care of all matters himself, as he ran in for a three yard touchdown, and the Steel quickly tied the game at 14.

Thomas and Morgan connected on another 16 yard touchdown pass, as LA regained the lead. However, Joey Cejudo, LA’s third kicker this year, missed the extra point, so the KISS had to settle with a 20-14 lead. Goard and Austin connected twice in the Steel’s next two possessions, as the Steel quickly had the 28-20 lead. Morgan caught another touchdown from Thomas, which cut the lead to 28-26. Then, newly acquired quarterback Danny Southwick was able to convert on a two point try, which tied the game at the halftime.

Once again, Shane Austin was able to find Tyrone Goard in the end zone. Fresh out the halftime break, the two connected yet again, which gave Portland the 35-28 lead. On LA’s first possession of the fourth quarter, Thomas found Morgan again, this time from 25 yards out, and the KISS tied the game at 35. Portland had a response to LA once again, this time Austin found Tom Gilson on a 21 yard touchdown pass, which gave Portland the 42-35 edge.

Rory Nixon had his own response to the Steel taking another lead. The bruising fullback rammed his way into the end zone for another KISS touchdown, but another missed extra point prevented this game from being tied. Portland held a 42-41 lead with seven minutes left in the game. After Portland played a near perfect game on offense, the LA KISS defense finally got to the Steel.

Shane Austin fumbled the ball, which Jamil Merrell recovered, and he took it all the way back to give the KISS a 48-42 lead. Nixon also contributed through the air, as he caught a 14 yard touchdown pass, to give LA the 54-42 lead. That would end up being the final score, as the KISS bounced back after losing to Arizona last week. Pete Thomas went 16-26 for 223 yards and six touchdowns in his first career AFL start. Captain Morgan helped make that happen, as he caught seven balls for 100 yards and four touchdowns. For Portland, Shane Austin matched the play of Thomas.

Austin went 23-42 with 223 yards and five touchdowns. Tyrone Goard had nine catches for 103 yards and four touchdowns. Tom Gilson added 12 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Portland had 18 first downs, while LA nearly matched with 15 first downs. Los Angeles committed 13 penalties which cost them 108 yards, and Portland had eight penalties, which cost them 59 yards. LA (4-4) will play the Orlando Predators at the Honda Center next week, while the Steel are still in search of their first win, as they will take on the also winless Tampa Bay Storm next week.