Morays defeat Lakeland
April 10, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Miami Morays News Release
LAKELAND, Fla -- Ben Labelle scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Derrick Vickers with 9:42 remaining as the Miami Morays remained unbeaten and defeated the Lakeland Thunderbolts 35-31 at Ray Lewis Field In The Lakeland Center Saturday night.
The Morays (4-0) escaped another tough battle with their Atlantic South Division rival Thunderbolts (2-2) in a hard-hitting affair that saw five lead changes.
"Lakeland's a tough team and you have to give them a lot of credit,'' said Morays coach Larry Little. "Our guys responded to a tough challenge and were ready for this type of game."
What started as a high-scoring game -- both teams scored on their opening two possessions -- came down to a ball control game at the end.
After Labelle's score, Lakeland marched right down the field and was threatening to score, but Deryl Lane pounced on a Thunderbolt fumble to end the threat.
The Morays ran out the final 6:46, getting help with two Lakeland penalties that kept the drive alive and a clutch third and 14 completion from Vickers to Patrick Rouzard for a key first down.
Vickers finished 19 of 24 for 225 yards and 3 TDs.
Labelle had a strong all-around game, rushing for 52 while snagging three catches for 57 yards. James Robinson led the Morays receivers with six catches for 52 yards.
Special teams came into play, as each team scored five touchdowns, but the Morays got three succesful PATs from Michael Elorreaga and a two-point conversion from Vickers to Robinson while the Thunderbolts had just one succesful PAT and failed on a pair of two-point conversion.
Lakeland quarterback Jeremy Martin finished with 165 yards and 4 TDs while rushing for another. Miami plays at Kissimmee next Saturday.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 10, 2005
- Hawgs hunker down to face Kreatures Monday - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Morays defeat Lakeland - Miami Morays
- Morays win over Thunderbolts - Miami Morays
- Hammerheads vs Kreatures Post Game - Corpus Christi Hammerheads
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