Catters Grab Overtime Win Over Bucs
May 1, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Lafayette Wildcatters News Release
LAFAYETTE, LA - In a game that featured ten lead changes, the Lafayette Wildcatters (1-3) of the Southern Indoor Football League grabbed their first win on a one-yard overtime run by quarterback Bo Bartik to defeat their "I-10" rivals in the Louisiana Swashbucklers (2-3) in dramatic fashion 59-52.
Lafayette started out with some home opening jitters fumbling on their opening drive only for it to lead to a Bucs touchdown from quarterback Alvin Bartie to Marcus Wildridge. The Wildcatters immediately answered back with quarterback Bo Bartik hooking up with Clyde Edwards for a touchdown sparking the beginning of a long chess duel between two rivals.
The Catters were looking to go into the break with a six-point edge only to be denied thanks to a Swashbucklers touchdown run by Phillip O'Neal tying the game at 27 into the break.
Once the third quarter rolled around all momentum seemed to turn to the Bucs favor after the Wildcatters stalled on their opening drive and rejuvenated Swashbucklers offense now led by quarterback Shaun Samuels reached the end-zone connecting with Wildridge giving Louisiana a six point lead.
Thanks to the return of Bartie and two safeties, the Swashbucklers appeared to be rolling towards another victory over their "I-10" rivals as they now held a 15 point edge with eight minutes left in the fourth. Louisiana's 15-point lead quickly evaporated starting with Clarence Pendleton's third interception of the night consequently followed by another Bartik touchdown hook-up to Scott and a successful two point conversion putting the Wildcatters within a score of tying the game.
Lafayette defense once again caused another turnover; this time defensive lineman Eric Phillips recovered a fumble and he took it in himself, which tagged along with another successful two-point conversion tied the game up at 52.
In the waning three minutes, both Lafayette and Louisiana managed to get the ball twice with four all drives ending on failed field goal attempts leading us to the first SIFL overtime game of the 2010 season.
The tenth and final lead change came on Wildcatters one-yard overtime touchdown run by Bartik going in front 59-52. With college style overtime rules, the Swashbucklers were guaranteed a chance to force a second overtime only to be denied thanks to another Bartie interception.
The loss by the Swashbucklers drops them back to below .500 for the second time this season. Louisiana has a bye week next wee before returning May 15th, as they will travel to take on the Albany Panthers.
Next weekend, Lafayette will get their second glimpse of Albany as they get back on the road and travel back to Georgia to take on the undefeated Panthers (3-0). Back on April 17th, the Catters met up with the Panthers losing that game in the winding seconds 70-64.
To see who gets named as this weeks illustrious Player of the Week, be sure to stay tuned to www.southernifl.com.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 1, 2010
- Catters Grab Overtime Win Over Bucs - Lafayette Wildcatters
- Lions Top Force 60-39 - Columbus Lions
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