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ArenaBowl XIV is widely hailed as one of the most exciting games in ArenaBowl history, ranking alongside classics such as ArenaBowl XVIII and ArenaBowl XIX. Featuring two teams from the Arena Football League's Southern Division, the game went as a Southern Division game might be expected to: a low-scoring, largely defensive struggle. In the end, however, Orlando Predator kicker David Cool converted a 19-yard field goal as time expired to give the Predators a 41-38 victory over the Nashville Kats and their second ArenaBowl title in three years.
Kelly threw for two touchdowns in the final minute of the first half, pulling the Nashville Kats within six at halftime, and took a 30-29 lead by opening the second half with a touchdown pass to lineman James Baron. A field goal by Orlando's David Cool was followed by a touchdown pass from Connell Maynor to Bret Cooper (though, critically, David Cool missed the extra point), giving the Predators a 38-30 advantage early in the fourth quarter. Nashville Kats's momentum was further slowed by the loss of Kelly, who left with a knee injury and was replaced by rookie backup James Brown. Brown threw an interception on his first possession but, after David Cool missed a 22-yard field goal, quickly atoned for the mistake by finding Darryl Hammond for a 45-yard score, and connected with Cory Fleming for the two-point conversion, tying the game at 38 with 6:26 to play. Defense again took over as the game went scoreless until the Predators drove down the field to set up a potentially game-winning 19-yard field goal by David Cool as time expired. David Cool had struggled all game, having missed two extra points and three field goals, but was able to convert this one, giving Orlando the 41-38 win.
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