Storm unbeaten no more

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was a warning shot that could be heard all the way to South Dakota.

A week before their anticipated matchup in the United Conference championship game, the Cedar Rapids Titans ended Sioux Falls' unbeaten season, 49-37, in the regular-season finale for both squads Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'You obviously want to come out of it healthy, but you've got to play football,” Cedar Rapids Coach Mark Stoute said. 'Once the game starts, we're all in. We're playing to win.”

Quick three-and-outs on its first two offensive possessions helped dig a 14-0 hole for Cedar Rapids (11-3), which was again without star tailback LaRon Council, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday after a fracture was discovered on his right foot.

'LaRon is probably the best running back in this game right now,” quarterback Spencer Ohm said. 'You take a key component like that out of the game, you're going to have to make adjustments.”

Former University of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey - who was with the Titans during training camp - was re-signed this week and rushed for 74 yards and four scores.

'I'm just happy to get back out here,” Ealey said. 'Coach Stoute gave me another chance to play football. Just to play on a team with these guys, they welcomed me back with open arms since I came back.”

Ohm misfired on five of his first six passes, but his 21-yard touchdown strike to receiver Carl Sims 54 seconds before halftime gave Cedar Rapids its first lead at 21-20.

A bullet to a well-guarded J.J. Hayes from 9 yards out pushed the Titans lead to 28-20 to begin the second half, the fourth of six straight touchdown drives.

'We've got to get to a point where it's just a flow,” Stoute said of his offense. 'And not a sputter, go, great for two series.”

Defensive backs Ricky Johnson and Tim Shelley, as well as lineman Xzavie Jackson were out with injuries, but Stoute has not ruled them out for action in next week's game.

Reserve quarterback Martevious Young started and accounted for four touchdowns and 277 total yards for Sioux Falls (13-1).

The Titans celebrated a successful halftime promotion with a world-record crowd wave of eight minutes, besting the old mark by a whole minute.

Cedar Rapids will try to bring that crowd support with it to Sioux Falls, where the three-time defending IFL champion Storm have won 40 straight games. The winner advances to the United Bowl.

'We'll come in there ready to play,” Ohm said.

'And be ready to roll with whatever's coming to us.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@sourcemedia.net