Three-Way Tie For Final Play-Off Spot: Maulers Face Guard
June 23, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release
(MONTGOMERY, AL) The Montgomery Maulers are looking to make it four-straight and continue their quest to the 2006 Play-Offs this weekend when they travel to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Guard (12-1). The Maulers were defeated 44-7, in the two teams' first meeting on March 25, in Montgomery. The Maulers have won five of their last six games; including their most recent 56-49, overtime win against the Greensboro Revolution last Saturday.
The Maulers (6-6) reached the .500 mark with last Saturday's win and are currently in a three-way tie with the Charleston SandSharks and the Florida Frenzy for the final play-off spot in the Atlantic Conference of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL).
The Maulers/Revolution March 25, match-up was the Maulers first game of the season and Maulers Head Coach Michael Mink said that fans should expect to see a different Montgomery ball club. "I think our team has made a lot of adjustments since that game. Fayetteville has an exceptional ball club and is led by a great coaching staff...this weekend is going to be a test for our guys, but I think we are ready and it should be a great game to watch," said Mink.
This will be Mink's first meeting with Fayetteville. The Maulers were under different ownership and playing under a different coaching staff at the time of the teams' first meeting.
Also, facing Fayetteville for the first time this season and making their debut into the NIFL, will be newly signed and former Alabama State University standout running back Keldrick Williams and University of Alabama at Birmingham defensive tackle Sam Williams. University of South Florida lineman Antonio Searcy and linebacker Downy Belidor will also join the Maulers this weekend in Fayetteville; all four players signed with the Maulers last Thursday.
In the first meeting between the Maulers and Guard, the Maulers were held to a single touchdown score that came in third quarter when quarterback J.R. Richardson ( Alabama State University) connected on a 28-yard pass to receiver Silas Daniels ( Auburn University). The Maulers were held to just 7-yards rushing and limited to 137-total offensive yards. The Maulers have averaged 94 rushing yards and right around 260 total offensive yards over their last six games.
The Guard is coming off a 74-14 win over the Greensboro Revolution this past weekend.
Maulers' players to watch: Running Back Charlie Rollins ( Miles College), receiver Octavius "Gator" Day ( Gulf Coast) and quarterback J.R. Richardson. Rollins is coming off a season-high three-touchdown night versus Greensboro. He had 28 carries for 105 yards and completed a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Day is coming off a game-high two-touchdown night against Greensboro. He also tallied 130 return yards in Saturday's overtime win. Richardson has captained the Maulers to a 5-1 record over the past six games and is consistently finding ways to put points on the board. In Saturday's win, Richardson had three-touchdown passes and scored two touchdowns of his own. He is averaging 143.5 passing yards/game which is ranked fourth in the NIFL. Richardson also ranks fourth in the league in total offense, tallying 1579-yards thus far this season.
This Saturday's game is set for a 7:00 PM kick-off time at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. The Maulers will close out their regular season next Saturday when they travel to the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, SC to face the SandSharks.
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