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Judd Harrold making homecoming tour in Sioux Falls one to remember

Judd Harrold

In a organization where contracts run for just one season at a time like the Indoor Football League (IFL), its easy to find a powerhouse team lose a dominating force on their roster that changes the way they play the game.

The Iowa Barnstormers lost Javicz Jones, who lead the league in tackles each of the past four seasons, forcing new names to step up.

The IFL as a whole lost reigning MVP Charles McCullum to the National Arena League (NAL) in a big move that saw him and Coach Billy Back departing, taking a big arm out of the league.

Judd Harrold making homecoming tour in Sioux Falls one to remember

Although, nothing can be more prominent than the Sioux Falls Storm losing Judd Harrold for the 2016 and ’17 seasons.

Harrold lead the IFL in receiving touchdowns during the 2015 season, earning 22 to help his team to a championship.

It doesn’t seem like it on paper, but the departure of Harrold didn’t help Sioux Falls.

The Storm finished the next two seasons with a 29-3 record and the first seed in the IFL Playoffs. However, they had to do it without having a receiver in the top 15 in touchdowns nor top 20 in total yards either year.

Without a passing attack, Lorenzo Brown had to shoulder the pressure of getting into the end zone.

“Look at the success he had [here in 2015],” Brown said. “He was running for the MVP of the league. It’s just a big security blanket to have. He’s got a big catch radius, he’s smart on the field, and it’s really good to have a target like that to throw at.”

After the 2015 season, Harrold took a hiatus from indoor football to take a teaching job in Avon, Ohio.

He would stay in his home state for the duration of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, at least until he got a call from Sioux Falls Storm Coach Kurtis Riggs.

“He talked about wanting to play again and we said of course we’d love to have him,” Riggs said.

Riggs brought Harrold back for the 2017 season, making his return game against the Iowa Barnstormers in the United Conference championship.

Judd Harrold (Sioux Falls) tries to get around Jamie Bender (Iowa) during the United Conference Championship in 2017.

Harrold made an immediate impact, scoring the first touchdown of the night and ending with a team-high of two.

“It was awesome to come into [a great organization],” Harrold said. “It’s something special and its something that I missed when I was teaching.”

The Storm didn’t go on to win the 2017 United Bowl. In fact, it was the first one they hadn’t won in the past decade.

Though when the team announced Harrold’s full-time return for 2018, they became instant contenders to win, and he hasn’t disappointed.

The Ohio native has brought some of the best play that Sioux Falls could have ask for from him so far this season.

In 10 games, Harrold sits in fifth place in the IFL in yards with 477 and second in the league with 14 touchdowns.

“You’re not gonna get around him, you’ve got to get through him, and when you cant do that [you’re in trouble,]” Brown said. “He’s a big red-zone threat and a big target I have no problem finding. I was super when I found out he was coming back this year.”

Although Harrold is used to lighting up the stat-line, Riggs preached on the fact that he is much more than pass catcher.

“[When Harrold is out there], it’s like having another coach on the field, Riggs said. “I can always rely on him doing all the little things like blocking, the route running that gets other guys open, and making a big play when we need him to.”

That’s how Sioux Falls has sustained so much success in the IFL.

Before last season, the squad had won six championships in a row.

“Usually we don’t have a star,” Riggs said. “Statistically we won’t ever be up there, but we have a lot of good fundamental football players. When we get the guys that go out and play just that way and not just trying to carry the team, we do some pretty good things.”

Under Harrold & company’s play this season, the Storm have earned a 7-3 record through their first 10 games.

However, Harrold gives more praise to Riggs than anybody, on the good fortune the program has had.

“He’s the best coach in the league,” Harrold said. “There’s no better coach I would want to play for. He puts us in better positions to win.”

Although 7-3 is a good mark to start off on, Harrold says the team is always progressing.

“Were building towards [it] and were not quite there yet,” Harrold said. “We’re constantly progressing and getting better. It’s a matter of peaking at the right time and having the right parts and pieces in place. We’re headed in the right direction right now.”

Harrold got engaged to his girlfriend, Molly, during halftime of the team’s Mar. 12 home game against the Cedar Rapids Titans and continues to pace the IFL in touchdown receptions.

His and the Storm’s next game will be Friday May 18, as they take on the Cedar Rapids Titans on the road.

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