Columbus Fire Defeat Tornados in Close Battle

The Heat of the Fire Too Much for Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Tornados take a tough loss to the Columbus Fire in Ohio on Saturday

For release- July 2, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio- On Saturday June 26, the Tornados traveled to Ohio to take on the Columbus Fire in North American Football League action. The Fire came out triumphant with a late score in the fourth quarter to pull out a 17-10 victory at home. That late score was the only time the Tornados trailed the Fire.

The Tornados struck first with a 27-yard field goal kicked by Vince Marietta in the first quarter, putting three points on the scoreboard. However, the Fire struck back with a field goal of their own, tying the game at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter included a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quincy Adams to receiver Glenn Ayro. The Tornados went into halftime with a 10-3 lead.

The second half seemed not to favor Indianapolis. Two safeties, one due to a crucial penalty against the Tornados, and then a 53-yard field goal brought the Fire back into the game with 14:15 left in the fourth quarter.

With 4:53 left in the game, a touchdown and extra point conversion from the Fire gave Columbus the game. The Tornados were unable to put more points on the scoreboard following that mark.

Penalties were a problem for Indianapolis. The Tornados had 243 penalty yards while the Fire only had 20. Other game highlights for the Tornados included a 70-yard kick return from running back Tony West, two interceptions from defensive back Terry Moore, a fumble recovery from defensive lineman Nathan Jones, and one sack each for Sunungura Rusununguko, Evan Triggs, and linebacker Dan Eason. The Tornados next game is back home at Park Tudor against the Indianapolis Yellow Jackets on July 10. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The Indianapolis Tornados are a minor league football team with a rich history and an intense commitment to the community. The Tornados won the North American Football League championship in 2008, the largest minor league football organization in the country. Players from top colleges joined the Tornados for a shot at professional aspirations. For more information about the team and organization log on to www.indianapolistornados.com. The home opener is 7 p.m. July 10.