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Terence Moore’s defensive TD helps Preds capture playoff berth
- Updated: July 23, 2015
For the 22nd time in the past 23 Arena Football League seasons, the Orlando Predators are headed to the playoffs.
The Preds clinched a postseason berth Saturday night as Terence Moore’s 10-yard fumble return for a fourth-quarter touchdown helped Orlando (10-6) knock off the host Cleveland Gladiators (7-9) 65-58 at Quicken Loans Arena.
“This is for the organization,” Preds coach Rob Keefe said by telephone. “There are a lot of people on a day-to-day basis who are trying to rebuild the Orlando Predators the proper way, and we are only going to get better from here on out. The guys are extremely high on themselves.”
Larry Brackins caught four touchdown passes for Orlando, and LaMark Brown scored twice, including once on special teams when he recovered a kickoff off the net in the Gladiators’ end zone.
Randy Hippeard connected with Brackins for a 6-yard score with 11 minutes, 5 seconds remaining to give the Preds a 52-45 lead. On the ensuing possession, Gladiators QB Shane Austin fumbled while being sacked by Austin Brown. Moore returned the ball for a two-touchdown advantage.
“That was a great job by the [defensive] line,” said Moore, who finished with seven tackles. “I saw the ball on the ground, just picked it up and tried to make a play.”
Hippeard threw for six touchdowns but completed only 19 of 32 passes for 202 yards. He entered with a 75.6 completion percentage, tops in the arena league.
The Preds, who have won three games in a row, broke a 31-all tie by scoring the first 14 points of the second half.
Brown’s 14-yard touchdown reception gave the Preds the lead, and Orlando took advantage of an interception by defensive back Nick Taylor off a tipped ball to increase its edge. On fourth-and-10, Hippeard found Brackins for a 21-yard score and a 45-31 lead.
Brackins leads the Preds with 25 receiving touchdowns. It was his fourth consecutive game with at least two TD receptions.
The Preds took advantage of three turnovers by the Gladiators.
Orlando leads the Jacksonville Sharks (8-7) by 1 1/2 games in the South Division. The Sharks beat the Philadelphia Soul 74-67 on Saturday night.
The Preds are off next week before concluding the regular season with games against the Sharks on Aug. 1 and the Tampa Bay Storm on Aug. 8, both at Amway Center.
