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Hit by Storm in United Bowl IV
By Daniel Makarewicz
dmakarewicz@pantagraph.com
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Bloomington Extreme put itself in a position to win a United Indoor Football championship Saturday. Misfortune took it away.

Leading early in the fourth quarter, the Extreme was poised to increase its lead by attempting a field goal. Instead, Sioux Falls blocked the attempt and returned it for a go-ahead touchdown.

That mistake proved costly in a Bloomington’s gut-wrenching 40-35 United Bowl IV loss to the Storm in front of a raucous 4,881 Sioux Falls Arena fans.

Bloomington (8-8) had an opportunity to win late, but time expired just as it crossed midfield. It is the fourth consecutive United Bowl victory for Sioux Falls (13-3).

Ahead 32-26 early in the final quarter, Extreme kicker Peter Christofilakos lined up for a 22–yard field goal. However, Sioux Falls was able to block the kick by applying pressure up the middle.

Bloomington attempted to grab the live ball, but Andre Fields picked it up and immediately returned it 30 yards to put the Storm up 33-32 with 13 minutes, 52 seconds left in regulation.

It was the first lead for Sioux Falls.

With the building in an uproar, the Extreme remained strong and regained a 35-33 lead after a 34-yard kick from Christofilakos with 9:29 left.

Calmly, the Storm went on a nine-play, 30-yard drive that was culminated by quarterback Terrance Bryant’s 1-yard touchdown run with 4:11 remaining.

Bloomington drove inside the Storm 10 on its ensuing possession, but turned the ball over on downs with a little over a minute remaining in regulation.

Sioux Falls ran three plays on its subsequent drive before it attempted a field goal. However, Adam Hicks was unable to convert, giving Bloomington its last chance to win.

The third quarter proved to be frustrating for the Extreme. It intercepted two passes -- one by linebacker Blue Aldridge and another by lineman Jeff Candler -- and twice had possession inside the Storm 10 but was only able to muster six points.

Bloomington built a 26-20 halftime lead by utilizing big plays. All three of its first-half touchdowns covered at least 19 yards.

Glenn Johnson put the Extreme up 7-0 after catching a 19-yard pass from Dusty Burk on the game’s third play from scrimmage.

Sioux Falls put together a solid four-play, 30-yard drive to tie the game at 7. James Terry culminated the drive with a 3-yard touchdown reception from Bryant.

Trailing 10-7 after a Christofilakos 22-yard field goal, Sioux Falls was poised to go ahead as it drove the ball to the 6. However, Extreme defensive back A.J. Bryant intercepted a Bryant pass on the 1, giving it the game’s first break.

Three plays later, Derin Graham caught a tipped pass from Burk and ran it 38 yards to put the Extreme up 17-7.

Ahead 17-10, Bloomington receiver James Walton made a beautiful 20-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone. Walton outjumped two defenders to grab the pass from Burk. Despite missing the extra point, the Extreme led 23-10.

The Storm scored the next 10 points – on a 1-yard Marques Smith touchdown run and a 37-yard field goal from Adam Hicks — to cut the deficit to 23-20 just before halftime.

Receiving possession with one second left in the first half, Christofilakos nailed a 53-yard field goal to extend the Bloomington lead to six points.

The Extreme finished with 272 yards of offense, 72 more than Sioux Falls. Burk was 25-of-45 passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Burk left the game briefly in the fourth quarter after aggravating a right hamstring injury.

Graham had nine catches for a game-high 110 yards, while Walton had eight grabs for 75 yards.

Aldridge had a team-high 10 tackles, while Winston Taylor made seven stops.

Bryant went 17-of-24 for 109 yards and a touchdown. Bryan Alberty had six catches for a team-high 57 yards.

Sioux Falls linebacker Mark Blackburn earned the game’s most valuable player award after compiling 4½ tackles.

The Extreme was plus-three in turnover differential, but committed nine penalties for 60 yards. Sioux Falls, on the other hand, was penalized for 20 yards.



Box score



AT SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

Bloomington...17...9...6...3 -35

Sioux Falls...7...13...6...14 -40

SCORING SUMMARY

B – Johnson 19-yd. pass from Burk (Christofilakos kick)

S – Terry 3-yd. pass from Bryant (Hicks kick)

B – Christofilakos 22-yd. field goal

B – Graham 39-yd. pass from Burk (Christofilakos kick)

S – Hicks 21-yd. field goal

B – Walton 20-yd. pass from Burk (kick failed)

S – Smith 1-yd. run (Hicks kick)

S – Hicks 37-yd. field goal

B – Christofilakos 53-yd. field goal

B – Christofilakos 17-yd. field goal

S – Smith 17-yd. run (kick failed)

B - Christofilakos 18-yd. field goal

S – Field 30-yd. blocked field goal return (Hicks kick)

B – Christofilakos 34-yd. field goal

S – Bryant 1-yd. run (Hicks kick)

YARDSTICK

B.......S

Total first downs.......17.......15

Net yards gained.......272 .......200

By rushing.......21.......91

By passing.......251.......109

Passes attempted.......46.......24

Completed.......25.......17

Intercepted by.......3.......0

Fumbles-lost.......0-0.......0-0

Yards penalized.......60.......20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Bloomington: Burk 2-9, Raymond 4-7; Sioux Falls: Smith 22-84, Alberty 2-5.

PASSING – Bloomington: Burk 25-45-0-251, Ray 0-1-0-0; Sioux Falls: Bryant 17-24-3-109.

RECEIVING – Bloomington: Graham 9-110, Walton 8-75, Johnson 5-40, Brooks 2-14, Raymond 1-12; Sioux Falls: Alberty 6-57, Terry 5-28, Smith 5-19, Hovorka 1-5.

INTERCEPTIONS – Bloomington (3) – Bryant, Aldridge, Candler.
Take a look
Glenn Johnson of the Bloomington Extreme looks to the end zone after catching a Dusty Burk touchdown pass against the Sioux Falls Storm during the first quarter of the United Bowl IV at Sioux Falls Arena, Saturday, July 12, 2008. The contest is Bloomingtpn's first appearance in a championship bowl game since they joined the league. (The Pantagraph, David Proeber)
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Reader comments on this story - 1 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Rozanne wrote on Jul 13, 2008 3:10 PM:

" I am so proud of all the guys on the Bloomington Extreme Team! You did not get beat, you just lost! I thnik it is AWESOME how far out team has gone this season.
We just keep getting better and better! To come this far is a GREAT! I am only sorry that I was not able to be thier to cheer for all you guys. GET JOB GUYS AND COACH! EXTREME TEAM ROCKS!! We love you win or lose "
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