Maulers Still In Play-Off Race: Montgomery Beats Osceola, 57-56
June 6, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release
(MONTGOMERY, AL) Following a 17-minute bench clearing altercation, the Montgomery Maulers re-grouped and overcame a 15-point fourth quarter deficit with under 11 minutes remaining in the game this past weekend to beat Osceola (6-5) 57-56, at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, AL. The win helped the Maulers improve to 4-6 overall, 3-1 under new ownership, and most importantly helped keep the Maulers in contention for the 2006 Play-offs.
"This win was huge," said Maulers Head Coach Michael Mink. "I really can't say enough about the heart of this ball club. After, [defensive lineman] Curtis [Chance] went down and the brawl broke out, the guys that hadn't been ejected and were still left on the sidelines really came to their teammates aid and got the win...I had [Quarterback] J.R. [Richardson] playing middle linebacker and a lot of other guys playing positions they had never played before...All my guys really stepped up and took on the new positions that were asked of them. It was a test of character and heart and they prevailed," said Mink.
The fourth quarter scuffle was transpired after Maulers' CurtisChance ( University of South Florida) was speared in the back of the head by an Osceola offensive lineman after being tackled. Mink acknowledged that the brawl could have possibly been avoided if a penalty flag had been thrown to stop the play. "Curtis was blindsided right in front of an official...The referee didn't stop the play [following the unsportsmanlike conduct]...The chaos wouldn't have gotten so out of hand if a call had been made after the cheap shot," said Mink.
Chance was escorted off the field and transported by ambulance for precautionary reasons to Baptist Health Hospital in Montgomery where he underwent x-rays on his head, chest and lower back. Chance was released that night after all tests results were confirmed negative.
Following the altercation that led to the ejection of 10 Mauler players, all of which were given a standing ovation by the near 2,000 fans in attendance Saturday night, the Maulers regrouped for win. Osceola had nine players ejected.
Trailing 50-35 with 10:08 remaining in the game, defensive lineman J.C. Chambers ( Alabama State University) returned a 40-yard fumble for a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed by the Maulers. The Maulers trailed 50-41.
Osceola took the 56-41 advantage minutes later on a 12-yard run by running back James Panul. Osceola's attempted two-point conversion was blocked by Maulers' defensive back Archie Smith ( Alabama State University) and picked up and returned by Silas Daniels ( Auburn University). The 25-yard PAT return gave the Maulers the ball, still trailing 56-43 with under 7:00 remaining in the game.
The Maulers pulled within six points with 4:14 remaining in regulation when Richardson scored on a 3-yard quarterback keeper. The extra point attempt by kicker Brian Bostick ( University of Alabama) was good.
The Mauler defense was able to shut down Osceola's next series of drives and Maulers' defensive lineman Roger Medlock ( Alabama State University) blocked and recovered a 25-yard field goal attempt. With under 2:00 remaining in the game, the Maulers took over at Osceola's 24-yard line.
Four plays later, Richardson connected on a nine yard pass to Daniels for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was good by Bostick giving the Maulers the 57-56 go-ahead lead.
After a series of incomplete passes and a co-quarterback sack by Richardson and Shaun Holmes ( Alabama State University), Osceola attempted a 30-yards field goal attempt for the win. The attempt failed, missing wide left and giving the Maulers the win.
"It felt good to win that game," said Mink. "You hate to see players get ejected and a player have to go to the hospital, but it's an intense game and emotions are running high. I am so proud of my guys and the coaching staff. We had a lot of key players get tossed after the fight and to be able to make adjustments and come back and win [Saturday night] says a lot about our ball club...It was an outstanding ballgame and great effort by both clubs," said Mink.
Maulers General Manager, John Morris, said he couldn't be more pleased with the poise and class shown by the Maulers in the fourth quarter. "I was talking to the guys while the coaches were dealing with Curtis being injured and I told them hat I wanted them to win this game, but to do it with class and dignity...I know the emotions were high, but I told the guys that they are too classy of a group and that they owe it to their fans to stay composed ...They definitely rose to the request and deserved to win that ball game. I was pleased to be overseeing such a classy ball club" said Morris.
The Maulers were led offensively by running back Charlie Rollins ( Alabama State University) who had a season-high three touchdowns and a near 90-yards rushing. Receivers Daniels and Sanders combined for three touchdowns in the win, while Richardson threw three touchdown passes, completing 14 of 20 passes for 116 yards.
The Maulers will wrap up their home schedule next Monday (June 12) at 7:00 PM when they host the Charleston Sandsharks (5-4). Monday night's game is sponsored by WCOV Fox 20 and Reinhardt Toyota of Montgomery. Fans will have a chance to win a 2006 Toyota Truck during halftime of the game. The Maulers are currently ranked seventh in the Atlantic Conference of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) and trail the Sandsharks by one game.
Mauler t-shirts will be given out to the first 300 fans on Monday night. All tickets will be sold for $10.00, excluding VIP floor seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Maulers Headquarters at Eastdale Mall, at the Administrative Office at the Garret Coliseum or online at ticketmaster.com.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 6, 2006
- Road Trip with the ThunderBolts - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- Osceola Rides in to Face Marshals - Osceola Ghostriders
- Maulers Still In Play-Off Race: Montgomery Beats Osceola, 57-56 - Montgomery Bears
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