SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Storm lost 36-56 to the Iowa Barnstormers in their 2021 season opener Saturday.
The Barnstormers would strike first when Daquan Neal found Beau Tanner for a 26-yard touchdown, taking a 0-7 lead. The Storm were next on the board with a four-yard rushing touchdown by Nate Chavious, the extra point was no good, bringing the score to 6-7. The Barnstormers would end the first quarter with a 20-yard touchdown from Daquan Neal to Connor Hollenbeck to bring the score to 6-14.
The Storm scored first to start the second quarter with a two-yard pass from Lorenzo Brown to Alonzo Moore, the extra point was no good, bringing the score to 13-14. The Barnstormers scored the last touchdown in the half after a 43-yard pass from Daquan to Andrew Mahoney, bringing the score to 13-21.
Storm running back Nate Chavious had a 19-yard rushing touchdown to score first in the third quarter, bringing the score to 19-21 after a failed extra point. The Barnstormers brought the score to 19-28 after a 25-yard pass from Daquan Neal to Andrew Mahoney. The Storm came back with a 5-yard quarterback keeper by Lorenzo Brown, cutting the score to 26-28 after a successful PAT. The Barnstormers struck quickly with a 36-yard pass from Daquan Neal to Andrew Mahoney, putting the Barnstormers up 26-35. The Storm ended the quarter down 33-35 after a 17-yard rushing touchdown by Nate Chavious and successful PAT.
Barnstormers running back Evan Owens started the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 33-42. Storm kicker Chase Vinatieri brought the score to 36-42 after a 27-yard field goal. The Barnstormers would close out the game with back-to-back touchdowns to bring the score to 36-56; the first touchdown was a 10-yard pass to Beau Tanner from Daquan Neal and then a fumble recovery by Kenton Bartlett in the end zone.
Storm quarterback Lorenzo Brown completed 13 of 26 passes for 113 yards and one interception along with 16 rushing yards and one touchdown. Running back Nate Chavious had 66 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receivers Brandon Sheperd had 72 reception yards, and Alonzo Moore had 11 reception yards and one touchdown. Defensive backs Trey Wafford and Solomon St. Pierre lead the Thunder Defense with eight total tackles and one tackle for loss. Defensive lineman Ch’aim Smith blocked a kick.
The Sioux Falls Storm return to action next week (Saturday, May 22nd) at the Denny Sanford Premier Center. The Storm will host the Arizona Rattlers. The kickoff is at 7:05 PM.
(The Sioux Falls Storm contributed this report/news release.)
