With a packed arena of over 12,000 fans, LA KISS hosted their home opener of the 2014 Arena Football League season at the Honda Center tonight. After a thrilling show and on field performance, Los Angeles secured the 44-34 victory over the Portland Thunder.
Quarterback J.J. Raterink led the LA KISS with four touchdowns, 237 yards and WR Donovan Morgan who also turned in four touchdowns, 169 yards.
Off to a slow start in the first quarter, Raterink’s completed pass to Morgan for 25 yards got KISS a first down. The duo quickly followed up with a first touchdown of the game. Los Angeles kept the momentum going with a 41-yard interception and score by DB Romeo Pellum. Kenny Spencer’s kick was good to finish out the quarter.
Los Angeles led after the first half 21-13. Then the Thunder fired back as QB Dan Southwick’s completed pass to Justin Monahan lead to an early touchdown. But KISS was still able to keep the lead as Morgan pulled down a 26-yard pass from Raterink making it 27-20 with less than five minutes left in the third.
An early touchdown by Raterink and completed kick by Spencer started off the fourth quarter. Portland’s Southwick then completed a 15-yard pass to WR Jeffrey Solomon for a touchdown and later followed by a 45-yard return by Duane Brooks. But Los Angeles was not done yet; with just 56 seconds left in play Raterink completed a 24-yard pass to Morgan, touchdown KISS.
LA KISS are back at the Honda Center next Saturday, April 12 to take on the Cleveland Gladiators at 7PM (PST). LA KISS single game tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com or the Honda Center box office. For more information visit lakissfootball.com or call 714-462-KISS.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – LAK J.J Raterink
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – LAK Beau Bell
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – LAK Donovan Morgan
Cutters Catch of the Game – LAK Donovan Morgan
AFL Highlight of the Game – LAK Romeo Pellum, 1st Half Interception
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