Sioux Falls Storm rout Iowa Barnstormers in home opener

Sioux Falls Storm receiver Dwight Blakey celebrates scoring a touchdown in an IFL game at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

By Matt Zimmer

April 10, 2023 at 9:34 AM

SIOUX FALLS — It was a happy Easter for the Sioux Falls Storm.

The 11-time indoor football champions celebrated their home opener on Sunday with a 54-24 win over the Iowa Barnstormers at the Premier Center.

The Storm scored six rushing touchdowns in the game, two each by Lorenzo Brown and Bryson Denley, and Brown added 83 yards and a touchdown through the air as Sioux Falls evened its record at 1-1.

Dwight Blakey scored twice for the Storm as well, once on the ground and once on one of his team-high four receptions.

The Storm defense also got in on the action, with James Brown returning an interception 25 yards for a score, one of three picks by Sioux Falls in the game.

Ra'Von Bonner of the Iowa Barnstormers is tackled by the Sioux Falls Storm's Eugene Ford during an IFL game on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls.

Clifton Duck had 12 tackles for the Storm while Laronji Varson had 10 and Eugene Ford eight stops and an interception.

The Storm will be home again next Sunday when they host Green Bay. Kick-off is at 5:05 p.m.

By Matt Zimmer

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

Sioux Falls Storm rout Iowa Barnstormers in home opener

Indoor Football League squad improves to 1-1