by Aidan Napier

Nashville traveled south to the Sunshine State this past weekend to take on the Orlando Predators in Week 5 of the AFL season.

The Kia Center had a solid 2500 fans in attendance, most hoping for a win by the home team to climb the standings after a rocky start for the Predators.

Nashville was hoping to start a streak of victories after dismantling the Wichita Regulators last week although they may have been a bit surprised by Orlando come gametime.

By the end of the 1st quarter it was a manageable 6-14 with the Predators on top but with Nashville’s offense continuing to struggle, compounded with an interception return after kicker Dylan Barnes failed to nail the uprights which resulted in a quick six points for Orlando. The Kats trailed 22-40 entering the locker room.

When Nashville emerged from the locker room after halftime, this team played with much more confidence, despite early scores in the third to launch the Predators to claim a 48-22 lead, it wouldn’t take long for Ramone Atkins to connect with Milton Williams for a 40 yard score that seemed to turn the tide for the Kats. The offenses would go back and forth till the end of the third, the Kats managed to cut the Predators lead, now just trailing by 14.

Once again in the third it’d be an offensive battle, with both teams hardly making a mistake, the Kats did allow a kickoff return for a touchdown, which may have been the nail in coffin for a record above .500. Despite Nashville’s best effort, including two touchdowns in the last 3 minutes of the game it was no match for the consistency of Orlando and the Kats would lose 69-62.

The Kats next game will be at home against one of the AFL’s finest teams, the Albany Firebirds. Another great rivalry brewing between two of the AFL’s top dogs (or should we say cats?). Kickoff is Saturday, June 2nd at 4:30 Central time  in Nashville.