Written and Pictures by Noah Ploff
Orlando Storm Secure Top Seed With Another Win Over DC
The last game in a season is critical for all teams, including the 7-2 Orlando Storm, and the 5-4 DC Defenders. Both teams came in already qualified for the postseason, but wanted to get a win to have momentum going into their next game. The game would end with Orlando securing their fourth straight win, and second against DC, which would see them moving to 8-2, and securing the top seed in the playoffs. The DC Defenders and Orlando Storm will will meet for a third straight time next Sunday, where the winner will move on to the UFL championship the United Bowl at Audi Field.
Jason Bean Gets the Start for Injured Jordan Ta’amu
With 2024 XFL Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) Jordan Ta’amu out for the season with a right knee injury, and backup QB Spencer Sanders not performing up to their standards, head coach of the DC Defenders Shannon Harris tried out a third QB, starting 26-year-old Jason Bean.
Early Turnovers Shape the First Half
Bean’s Defenders debut didn’t get off to an ideal start, with him throwing an interception on the second offensive play for the Defenders to Orlando Storm DB Nate Brooks. However the Defenders defense helped their new QB out, with some great run defense, causing Orlando to give the ball back to DC with a turnover on downs.
The offense helped build the momentum the defense created by running the ball down the field, although in the end, they had to settle for a field goal that saw the DC Defenders leading the game 3-0.
Orlando tried to build some momentum of their own with a long kickoff return, all the way to their own 42 yard line. Orlando seemed to have given DC the ball back as the third down pass by Jake Plummer to Chris Rowland only got one yard, but the DC captain Derick Roberson was called for a roughing the passer penalty, which gave Orlando a new set of downs. However, on the very next play, the Orlando RB fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Kai Gray of the DC Defenders.
Bean and the Defenders Offense Settle In
Bean started to find his groove, showing the versatile athlete that he is, and using his legs and arm. He completes a pass to Cornell Powell for a 23 yard gain, which puts DC in the red zone. The next play comes, and Bean rolls out to his left to escape pressure, and he has a receiver standing wide open in the end zone. It looks like they are sure to score, but Jason Bean forces a pass into coverage, which is intercepted and taken 92 yards all the way back for a pick-6. All of a sudden, Orlando is winning 7-3 thanks to their defense.
Advertisement
Bean didn’t let that stop him, and he responded by using his legs a few times, as well as getting the ball to one of his playmakers in Cornell Powell, who turned a short completion into a 21 yard gain. The drive eventually stalled and the kicker Matt McCrane was able to tack on another 3 points for the Defenders, narrowing the Orlando lead down to 1 point.
The Orlando Storm started their drive off with a rush by Plummer followed by two incompletions. Plummer then finds receiver Elijhah Badger with a short pass to the right side, which he turns into a 25 yard gain all the way down to the DC 33 yard line. The Defenders are able to hold up on the next set of downs and force a 54 yard field goal attempt, which is missed by the Orlando kicker Michael Lantz.
Missed Chances Keep the Game Tight Before Halftime
The Defenders then have a similar drive and are forced to attempt a field goal from the Orlando 33 yard line. The 51 yard attempt is no good and the game remains 7-6 Orlando.
Jake Plummer completes a pair of passes to Chris Rowland, as well as a 16 yard completion over the middle to Cam Camper to set the Storm up in the red zone. However, that’s as far as they’re able to get, as the Defenders have another impressive defensive stand. Orlando is forced to settle for a short 27 yard field goal to extend their lead to 4 points with 22 seconds remaining in the half.
DC looks like they’ll be going into the half down by 4 when Ty Scott breaks away from a few tackles and turns in a very impressive 57 yard kickoff return to give the Defenders a chance to put some very late points on the board. Scott then steps up again with his first catch of the day, which is a big 30 yard catch over the middle to put them on the Orlando 11 yard line with 3 seconds left. Scott signals for the timeout from the ground and DC brings on their field goal team, which converts a 29 yarder, and allows them to go into halftime only down by 1.
Orlando Takes Control After Halftime
The second half starts with what looks to be a 3 and out for Orlando, but when they line up to punt, a DC player jumps offsides and gives them a fresh set of downs. The Storm make sure to capitalize and punish the Defenders for their mistake. Plummer completes a deep pass down the middle to Elijhah Badger for a 24 yard gain, and then on the next play completes another deep pass down the middle, this time to Chris Rowland for a 31 yard touchdown. The extra point is good and Orlando goes up 17-9.
DC, hoping for a touchdown on their next drive, once again drives down the field and almost gets to the red zone, but once again they’re unable to convert and stall their drive. The Orlando defense forces them into another field goal attempt. Matt McCrane attempts the 42 yarder but it goes wide, keeping the score exactly where it is.
The DC defense continues to be solid, despite letting up a few chunk plays, and forces Orlando into another 3 and out.
Advertisement
Defenders Rally Behind Bean and Valladay
At this point, the third quarter is winding down and the Defenders could really use a touchdown, as well as a momentum boost. They do exactly that, as Jason Bean scrambles for 47 yards to put them in excellent position, and then Xazavian Valladay follows it with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. They then decide to go for 2 to try and tie the game at 17 and the attempt is successful.
Special Teams Swing the Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter begins with another punt by the Storm, giving DC the ball back with some momentum. The punt is beautifully executed by the special teams, and is downed at the DC 1 yard line.
DC is unable to do anything with the ball and lines up to punt. The ball is snapped and a horde of Storm players rush at the punter and block the punt, which goes out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Orlando now gets the two points, as well as the ball.
Orlando Pulls Away With Big Plays
This is the point when Orlando starts to press down even harder on the gas. Jake Plummer drops back and finds a streaking Cam Camper downfield. He dodges several tacklers and makes his way all the way to the end zone for an Orlando 74 yard passing touchdown.
The Storm then caused a fumble on the kickoff and gained possession again. The Defenders defense did a good job of holding them where they were, but Orlando was able to convert on a field goal attempt and go up by a score of 29-17.
The clock was ticking down to 8 minutes remaining in the game, and at this point it still seemed like a comeback was possible. The Defenders get a first down and then quickly are at fourth and ten. In this situation, down by two scores and just over four minutes left, you’d assume that they would go for it. But coach Harris decides to punt the ball and gives possession back to Orlando.
Orlando does what any team would do in this position, which is run the ball and run the clock. Orlando runs the clock all the way down to 45 seconds and DC forces a fumble. With 40 seconds left, the Defenders are just hoping to get a touchdown for pride, and to give them some momentum going into the playoffs.
Bean completes a pass to tight end Briley Moore for a 25 yard gain, and then he spikes the ball with 3 seconds remaining in the game. DC is able to complete a pass to Briley Moore for a touchdown as time expires, but it’s too little too late, and the Orlando Storm take the win with a final score of 29-23.
DC and Orlando Prepare for Playoff Rematch
Orlando will look to continue riding its four-game winning streak, while DC will try to snap its four-game losing streak and return to the United Bowl for the second straight year.