ThunderBolts Fall on Last Play
May 22, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
LAKELAND- Lakeland suffered its first loss of the season on a last-second RiverCity touchdown to give the Rage a 50-46 win in against the undefeated ThunderBolts in front of 2,163 fans at the Lakeland Center on Saturday night.
With the ThunderBolts clinging to a 46-44 lead, RiverCity quarterback Anthony Fisher found Moses Regular on a 5-yard touchdown pass to end Lakeland's stretch of eight straight wins. "It hurts right now," said Lakeland running back Mario Robbins. "But we have to bounce back hard and practice hard on Tuesday and work on our play."
Lakeland's defense intercepted Fisher on the Rage's first two offensive drives, resulting in a 10-0 ThunderBolts lead. Fisher's first interception landed in the hands of ThunderBolts defensive back Otheese Wells, who returned it for a 40-yard touchdown. Defensive back Chris Robichaud recorded Lakeland's second interception and kicker Steve Kratz followed with a 32- yard field goal.
Before the first quarter came to a close, Fisher answered with a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hurtis Chinn. After Lakeland (8-1) failed to capitalize on Wells' second interception of the half, RiverCity (7-1) got back on track with a touchdown connection between Fisher and Regular for six yards midway through the second quarter of cut the Lakeland lead 16-14.
Quarterback Jason Johnson added his second touchdown pass on the half on 29-yard strike to wide receiver Kenny Perry to give Lakeland an eight-point lead.
RiverCity fought back on its last drive of the half on a 2-yard touchdown run by Sha-Ron Edwards. Lakeland defensive back Ararmis Haralson broke up Fisher's two-point conversion pass attempt.
The RiverCity defense opened the second half with a crucial interception in its own end zone. After both teams committed numerous penalties, Edwards scored on a 4-yard run to give RiverCity its first lead. A two-point conversion put the Rage up, 28-25, with 5:35 left in the quarter.
Johnson scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown a few plays later to put Lakeland back up 32-28. Missed opportunities and penalties by Lakeland allowed RiverCity to climb back into the game as Fisher touchdown pass and two-point conversion gave the Rage its second lead, 36-32, with 10:53 remaining in the game.
After the lead changed hands twice, Lakeland scored on a 6-yard Robbins touchdown run with under five minutes to go to give Lakeland their final lead, 46-44. "It felt great because our defense had been carrying us all year," Robbins said. "If I had to bet my money I would have put it to stopping them, but sometimes it doesn't fall that way."
The ThunderBolts are at home again June 24 vs. Osceola. Kick off is at 7pm at the Lakeland Center. Single game tickets are available at the Lakeland Center Box Office 863.834.8111 or at any Ticketmaster location 863.682.5300. All home games are played at the Lakeland Center. For more information call 863.688.Thor (8467) or visit our new office at 1628 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 22, 2006
- Another Fever Record Set - Tri-Cities Fever
- And Then, There Were None - RiverCity Rage
- ThunderBolts Fall on Last Play - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- Commentary: NIFL daily buzz - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt
- NFL to NIFL: No Deal - OSC Original by Paul Reeths
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