TAMPA, FL -The expected rain was still hours away, but the storm was already here. In both name and spirit.

The Tampa Bay Storm -7-0 at the St. Pete Times Forum- were seeking to become the first AFL squad ever to remain unbeaten at home; a victory would also keep their quest alive for a 15th consecutive playoff appearance. The Storm needed wins in their last two games or just one win coupled with a loss by New Orleans to get in.

At the very worst, the New York Dragons would leave assured of a playoff spot, by virtue of the Dallas Desperados’ 63-56 Saturday night loss to the Georgia Force.

But, the Dragons had something to play for, too. A victory to assure them of the Eastern Division Championship, which would be the exclamation point on their very first 10-win season.

And, as the final seconds of the Storm’s thrilling 61-58 win were counted down, it was apparent that the New York would have to secure that championship next week at home against John Elway’s Colorado Crush.

The game had matched two of the Arena League’s most prolific passers, Tampa Bay’s Shane Stafford [360-561, 3,928 yards and 71 TDs] and the Dragons’ Aaron Garcia [298-453, 3,577 yards and 76 TDs] and, from a passing perspective, neither disappointed.

It was Stafford who threw, early and often, in a perfect first quarter, as the Storm ballooned to a 21-7 lead. He completed all six of his passes for 99 yards and shared the wealth among receivers Clif Dell, Freddie Solomon and Ronney Daniels. The three scores tied a season-high for Tampa Bay, who had previously ripped off a 21-point first quarter against Orlando on April 9.

In the meantime, Garcia had connected with Chris Anthony –an emerging two-way star- on a 5-yard TD to offset the Stafford-to-Dell hook-up on the game’s second play.

Early in the second quarter, New York trimmed the margin to 21-14 when Garcia [25-36, 292 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT] spotted Mike Horacek on a crossing pattern.

But, it was Lawrence Samuels –who finished with 9 catches, 166 yards and 3 TDs- 40 yard reception, which featured a fingertip catch at midfield, a hurdle over a Dragon defender and a sprint down the left sideline that brought the crowd of 18,244 to its feet.

Shortly thereafter, Jonathan Ordway intercepted Garcia’s underthrown pass in the end-zone and David White concluded a 5-play, 45-yard series with a burst off left tackle, the bulge was 34-14.

The Dragons appeared to gain some momentum back when Horacek [9 receptions for 133 yards and 4 TDs] tallied his second of the game and Chris Angel intercepted Stafford’s deep pass. But a pass interference penalty allowed the Storm to regain possession; on the very next play, a roughed-the-passer call moved the ball passed midfield. Subsequently, White thundered in from the NY13 with :03 remaining in the half, as the Storm regained their 20-point lead, 41-21.

But, when the Dragons downed a squib kick at midfield at :02, Rob Bironas was allowed to boot a 41-yard field goal as the half ended 41-24.

The second half began with another Dragons’ score. Will Holder returned the opening kick and darted 57 yards, as New York climbed within 10; last week, against Columbus, the Dragons established a new AFL record last week by returning their 11th kick for a touchdown.

Holder, then, intercepted Stafford on the ensuing series; New York, too, leads the AFL with 24 picks. And, although, the Dragons couldn’t move the ball, they quickly retrieved it as Billy Parker stepped inside of Solomon for his 8th pick of the season and, one play later, Horacek gained position on Ordway for his third score; the count remained at 41-37 when Bironas missed the extra point.

Once more, Stafford to Samuels electrified the crowd; the 47-37 margin was created from the receiver's spectacular end-zone catch, as he crashed into the side baracade. However, New York –with interior pressure- blocked the crucial extra point.

Garcia hit Todd Doxzon along the right sideline to close to within 47-44, but, just as the Dragons looked to make a move, Tampa Bay’s Anthony Derricks broke free on a sideline route with less than a minute to go and scampered 35 yards for the 54-44 score.

When Horacek beat Tramain Jones for his fourth score, the Dragon had, again, closed to within three. This time, Bironas connected on the PAT and the once-insurmountable 20-point lead had diminished to three with thirteen minutes remaining in regulation.

Stafford [19-32, 317 yards, 7 TDs], who had earlier set a Tampa Bay record with 76 TD passes, had a pass deflected by DB DaShane Dennis, which Billy Parker converted into his second INT. Then, Garcia stepped into the pocket and zipped a pass into Anthony on the backline of the end-zone for New York’s first lead of the afternoon. Bironas’ kick upped the score to 58-54.

But, Stafford –throwing from his own end-zone, hit Samuels, in stride for his seventh TD pass; it was the third TD catch of the for the Storm’s most prolific receiver.

In the pinball AFL, however, 61 points aren’t always enough. And, as the Dragons threatened to knot the score with 3 ½ minutes left, Bironas’ FG attempt rattled off the left goalpost and bounced away.