Randy Hippeard and the Tampa Bay Storm (8-2) found themselves down 51-41 when the 1:00 timeout signaled in AMALIE Arena.
The home team Storm held possession and would need to score quickly.
After two attempts at the end zone, Hippeard threw a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Michael Lindsey to trim the score to 51-48 in favor of the Washington Valor (1-9).
Although, it still looked like things might turn south for Tampa.
With 40 seconds left on the clock, the Storm kicked and recovered an on-side kick to give the team the ball with 37.8 to play.
Hippeard drove down the field and completed a four-yard pass to wide receiver Kendrick Ings for the team to take a 55-51 lead and secure the win.
Ings caught 11 passes for 111 yards good for two touchdowns in the victory.
Tampa Bay Storm win, set home playoff date
The win means the Tampa Bay has clinched a top-two spot in the season’s final standings, earning the team a home-playoff game this year.
The Storm announced late Saturday that they will host their first round game on Monday, August 14.
The Storm will return to the field next Saturday, when they take on the Cleveland Gladiators.
The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be viewed live on twitter for free.
As for the Valor, they fall to 1-9 on the season – one and a half games behind the Cleveland Gladiators – and are in danger of missing the 2017 Arena Football League (AFL) Playoffs.
The Valor will be on a bye-week next week.
AFL Standings
| Arena Football League Standings | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Philadelphia – x | 10-0 | ||
| 2 | Tampa Bay | 8-2 | 2 | |
| 3 | Baltimore | 3-6 | 6.5 | |
| 4 | Cleveland | 3-8 | 7.5 | |
| 5 | Washington | 1-9 | 9 | |
Key
x – clinched playoff spot
y – clinched home playoff game
z – clinched home field advantage throughout playoffs
Saturday July 8 Schedule
Philadelphia Soul at Baltimore Brigade | 7:00 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Storm at Cleveland Gladiators | 7:00 p.m. ET
