This game marked the third meeting in a row between these two clubs this season. DC had shown improvement in each matchup despite losing each regular-season contest. In only the second known instance in professional football history where a team lost to the same opponent in consecutive weeks before defeating them in the playoffs, the Defenders finally got the win when it mattered most.
For DC, it came down to one simple thing: winning when the stakes were highest. The regular season no longer mattered. The fact that two players came out of retirement to help this playoff run speaks volumes about the culture Shannon Harris has built and the connection he has with his roster.
Defenders Dominate First Half
Jason Bean entered this game having lost all three previous starts against Orlando. Yet none of that mattered once the playoffs began. From the opening drive, DC looked prepared and confident. The Defenders converted every third down on a long, methodical possession that ended with a Deon Jackson touchdown and an early statement.
The second touchdown drive was even more impressive. DC dominated on the ground, leaning on former spring rushing champion Abram Smith, who capped the drive with a touchdown run. Bean also contributed with several key plays through the air and on the ground while continuing to take care of the football.
Orlando responded with a field goal, but trailing 14-3 at home in a playoff game was not the start Anthony Becht envisioned. Becht has been one of spring football’s most successful regular-season coaches, compiling a 30-10 record. However, his inability to get his teams to the championship game continues to follow him.
The Storm Never Found Its Rhythm
Whether it was the unfamiliar venue in Daytona Beach or simply an off day, the Storm never looked comfortable. Orlando entered the postseason as one of the league’s most complete teams. Defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham continued to show why he is one of the league’s most respected defensive minds, while co-offensive coordinator Colin Thompson’s stock continues to rise after another strong season as a play-caller. Quarterback Jack Plummer, the likely league MVP, entered the game with 17 touchdowns and just one interception.
None of that mattered on Saturday.
The Storm’s defensive effort was uncharacteristically poor. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and poor execution plagued Orlando throughout the first half. Offensively, there were too many missed opportunities, inaccurate throws, and an inconsistent rushing attack.
DC appeared poised to take a commanding 21-6 halftime lead, but an illegal formation penalty backed them up five yards and Matt McCrane missed a 28-yard field goal. Even so, the Defenders entered halftime firmly in control.
The second half briefly gave Orlando life late. On the opening play of the third quarter, Plummer threw only his second interception of the season on a pass that sailed behind his intended receiver. The turnover gave DC possession at the Orlando 29-yard line. The Storm defense responded by holding the Defenders to a field goal, keeping the game within reach.
Then came one of the biggest moments of the game.
A Challenge That Changed Everything
Facing 3rd-and-3 after driving deep into DC territory, Plummer connected with Jerome Kupp on what appeared to be a 60-yard touchdown. The stadium erupted. Moments later, Shannon Harris challenged for offensive holding. After review, the call was overturned and the touchdown was wiped off the board. Instead of a game-changing score, Orlando faced 3rd-and-13 and eventually punted. It was a devastating swing in momentum.
Orlando’s Last Push Falls Short
Leading 17-6 midway through the third quarter, DC suffered a scare when Jason Bean took a hard hit and exited to the medical tent. Backup Spencer Sanders entered and immediately found himself in trouble. After several handoffs, Sanders attempted a pass on 3rd-and-6 that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Mauga, on a torn ACL no less. Suddenly, Orlando was back in the game, but not for long.
The Defenders answered immediately.
Bean returned and led a perfect seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 33-yard touchdown pass to Briley Moore. Rather than allowing the pick-six to shift momentum, DC responded with its best offensive possession of the game.
Orlando countered with a 15-play, 71-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes, but the Storm managed only a field goal. It was a theme throughout the afternoon. Even when Orlando moved the ball effectively, penalties and mistakes prevented the offense from fully capitalizing.
The Storm eventually cut the deficit to 28-22 on a 40-yard touchdown pass to former Defender Chris Rowland. However, a failed three-point conversion left Orlando needing another score.
With just over three minutes remaining, Anthony Becht elected to kick the ball away rather than attempt a 4th-and-12 conversion from the 40. The decision nearly paid off when DC fumbled the kickoff and was pinned deep in its own territory.
The Throw That Sent DC to the United Bowl
Facing 3rd-and-11, Bean delivered the biggest throw of his career, connecting with Ezukanma for 17 yards and a crucial first down. Orlando never got the ball back. The Defenders had finally done it. Next stop: the United Bowl on ABC, with a championship game coming to Audi Field.
Here are some other things that I took away from this game.
Daytona Stadium Was the Right Choice
I’m glad the Storm played in Florida rather than Columbus. Daytona Stadium may be small, but the announced crowd of 6,400 looked excellent on television and created a loud, energetic atmosphere. The crowd was loud, engaged, and gave the game a true playoff feel. Could Orlando have drawn 10,000 fans in Columbus? Maybe. But spring football needs to establish roots in its home markets. If the goal is long-term growth, then playing a playoff game in Florida for Florida fans was the right call. Credit to Mike Repole and the league for finding a way to make it happen.
The Anthony Becht Playoff Question Isn’t Going Away
As for Becht, the playoff questions are no longer a small talking point, they’re the story. How does a coach who has dominated the regular season continue to fall short when the games matter most? How does an offense led by the league MVP fail to find its rhythm until the fourth quarter? How does a team that looked like the league’s most complete roster spend most of a home playoff game playing catch-up?
To be clear, this does not mean Becht should be on the hot seat. Far from it. Coaches who win at the rate he does don’t grow on trees. But at some point, the standard changes. Orlando is no longer trying to become a contender, they already are one. The next step is proving they can finish the job. Until they do, every regular-season accomplishment will be followed by the same question: what happened in the playoffs?
Shannon Harris Has Built A Championship Culture
For Shannon Harris and the Defenders, this game reinforced something we’ve seen time and time again. It doesn’t matter what shape the roster is in, who is injured, or what the odds say. His teams show up ready to fight. There is a toughness and belief within this organization that cannot be measured on a stat sheet.
Jason Bean embodied that mindset. The defining theme of his previous three starts against Orlando was his inability to finish. In Week 2 he struggled to consistently move the offense. In Week 3 he lost a shootout despite putting up points. Then came the blockbuster trade that brought him to DC. Bean backed up MVP candidate Jordan Ta’amu for a few games then came Ta’amu’s season-ending injury. Spencer Sanders wasn’t the answer, and Bean still hadn’t solved the Orlando puzzle.
Jason Bean Finally Finshed the Job
On the biggest stage of his season, Bean played his cleanest game. No panic. No costly mistakes. No trying to do too much. Just efficient football and clutch throws when they were needed most. The third-and-11 conversion to Ezukanma will be remembered as the throw that sent DC back to the United Bowl, but it was the entire performance that stood out. For the first time against Orlando, Bean finished the job.
One Final Test Awaits
A championship game against his former Louisville Kings team. A chance at revenge. A chance at a title. A chance to cement himself in spring football history.
If Bean continues to protect the football and DC runs the ball the way it did against Orlando, the Defenders should feel confident heading into Rowdy Audi. They won’t be the underdog story anymore. They’ll be the defending champions, one win away from proving that last year’s title wasn’t the end of something special, it was the beginning of a dynasty.
