SIFL Passes Mid-Way Point
Published on May 18, 2010 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) News Release
LAKE CHARLES, LA (May 18, 2010) - The Southern Indoor Football League passed its mid-way point of the season this weekend leaving much to be decided between now and the rest of the season.
As each team has played at least five games, the SIFL is slowing marching its way towards playoff season. At the mid-way point, the five member league has plenty to be decided with currently three clubs tied for the final two spots while the top are headed for a clash that could just decide home field advantage.
Thanks to an overloaded home schedule for the first half of the season, the Albany Panthers (5-0) have skated to an early divisional lead. The mainstay for the Panthers early season success has been the play of their physical defense. In their victory over Louisiana, Albany knocked out both Bucs quarterbacks and are currently tops in the SIFL in total defense holding opponents to just 208 yards on offense.
Beginning this weekend, the Panthers will have a lot to prove as they hit the road for the first time against the Louisiana Swashbucklers. Albany closes out the season five of their last six games will come on the road, something other SIFL clubs have had difficulty with.
The Columbus Lions (5-1) are just a half game behind the league leading Panthers and are currently riding a four game winning streak, with the last two serving as the SIFL's only road victories. Two ways the Lions have done that are due to the offensive duo of quarterback Chris McCoy and receiver Tirone Morris along with the play of a sting defense.
Since taking over for injured starter Todd Spitzer, McCoy has led the Lions on a four game winning streak in route to becoming the SIFL's leading efficient passer. Also in that time, receiver Tirone Morris has streaked as the league leader in receptions with 42. The Columbus defense has sparked the club to a +21 turnover margin with the next closet club only at +5. A lot of what will decide the Lions success will be based on two dates against the Panthers, both game just happen to take place at the Columbus Civic Center.
One of the big surprises of the 2010 season has been the less than stellar start by the Louisiana Swashbucklers (2-4). Much of their disappointing start can be attributed to a first half of the schedule being heavy featuring three trips to the east coast, all ending with a loss. For their second half push, the Bucs made a coaching change at the top and brought back former head coach Darnell Lee has offensive coordinator.
Things could begin to look up for the club this weekend as they host the division leading Albany Panthers. Another bright spot is four of their final six games take place in the Smugglers Den, a place where they have not lost since 2006.
The Greenville Force (2-4) started out the 2010-season red-hot winning their first two games but has since cooled down losing four straight. The Force's four game slide can be associated with an offense that has gone south. In the first two games, the offense was averaging 326 yards/game, in their four losses the offense has slipped to averaging just 224 yards.
The following three-game stretch could all but decide where the Force fit in the 2010 playoff race, stretch that include trips to Lafayette, Albany, and Columbus with all three teams currently undefeated at home.
Rounding out the playoff race is the Lafayette Wildcatters (2-4) who only three weeks ago was still searching for their first win. Lafayette's 1st half schedule featured four east coast trips with the Catters coming back each time with a loss. In the beginning of May, the Catters got on the winning track thanks to a huge overtime victory over the Bucs and continued to play stellar ball at home this past weekend in their 81-17 win over North Texas.
Helping decide Lafayette's playoff future could be two future dates in the "I-10" rivalry against the Swashbucklers. Already grabbing the upper hand, the Wildcatters will host the Bucs one more time while ending the season in the Smugglers Den on June 26th. Lafayette also benefits from a home friendly 2nd half schedule that features four of the last five games in the Cajun Dome.
To track all the 2nd half action of the 2010 Southern Indoor Football League, log on to www.southernifl.com.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 18, 2010
- SIFL Passes Mid-Way Point - SIFL
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