Predators Beat KISS With Game-Ending Safety

(photo credit: Orlando Predators/Twitter)

The Los Angeles KISS and the Orlando Predators, met for the second time this season, this time in front of 6,287 people at the Honda Center. The first meeting between these two teams went down to the wire, and somehow this game was closer. The KISS got off to a quick start on Make-A-Wish night in Anaheim, as they put the Predators in an early hole. Captain Morgan caught two touchdown passes from Pete Thomas, which put the KISS up 14-0.

The Predators were able to respond shortly after the seven yard touchdown pass. Bernard Morris, who was starting for the injured Randy Hippeard, connected with Greg Carr on a 13 yard pass, to cut the deficit in half. Two plays into the KISS possession, Varmah Sonie picked off Thomas, and Orlando converted that into points. Morris ran in from three yards out, and all of a sudden, the Predators and the KISS were tied at 14. Just before the halftime break, Morgan caught a seven yard touchdown pass from Thomas, to give the KISS a 21-14 lead heading into the break.

Orlando struck first in the third quarter, as Bernard Morris threw a four yard touchdown pass to Brandon Thompkins, which knotted things up at 21. Morgan continued his domination of the Orlando defense, as he caught yet another touchdown pass from Thomas, as the KISS regained the lead. On the ensuing Predators possession, Thompkins took a kick return all the way back from 57 yards out, which tied the game at 28. Early in the fourth quarter, Thomas connected with fullback Rory Nixon, who did the rest of the work, taking it into the end zone from 16 yards out.

Los Angeles again took the lead back, as they led 35-28. Thompkins didn’t allow the lead to stand for too long, as he took another kick back to the endzone, this time from 55 yards out. Orlando tied the game up at 35 with eight minutes left in the game. After this point, all hell broke loose. Brandon Collins caught a 21 yard pass from Thomas which resulted in a LA KISS touchdown. However, Joey Cejudo missed the extra point, meaning LA held the 41-35 lead.

After a pass interference call on the KISS, Morris took advantage of the penalty. Morris ran it in from three yards out, as the game was tied at 41. Orlando could’ve taken the lead with 10 seconds left, but they failed the extra point, meaning the game was all tied up at 41. With four seconds left on the clock, the KISS decided to attempt a field goal for the win. As time expired, holder Danny Southwick couldn’t handle the snap from Sam Tupua, and the ball rolled to the back of the end zone for a safety. Los Angeles suffered a crushing loss, losing 43-41 to the Predators.

Thomas completed 21 of 39 pass attempts for 237 yards and six touchdowns. Donovan “Captain” Morgan, reeled in eight balls for 81 yards and four touchdowns. Morgan is now in the top-10 all-time in terms of receptions. Morris completed 16 of his 26 pass attempts, for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Morris added two rushing touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins had two kickoff return touchdowns, and he had eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. Next week, the KISS (4-5) will take on the Philadelphia Soul at the PPL Center, for the second installment of the “Rocks vs Jocks” game. Orlando (8-2), will host the Cleveland Gladiators next week.