Win You're In: Maulers and Charleston Vie For Final Play-Off Spot

June 29, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release


(MONTGOMERY, AL) The Montgomery Maulers will travel to Charleston, SC this Saturday to take on the SandSharks, in perhaps their biggest game of the season. The Maulers (6-7) trail the SandSharks by a half game. This weekend's match-up is a must win for both teams, as they battle for the final seed of the 2006 National Indoor Football League (NIFL) Play-offs. The winner of this Saturday's contest will travel to Lakeland, FL on July 8, to play the number three seed Lakeland Thunderbolts (12-2) in the opening round of the Atlantic Conference Play-offs.

"This weekend is a must win," said Maulers Head Coach Michael Mink. "If we win, we advance; if we lose, our season is over. The guys know the importance surrounding this weekend's game and know that we essentially control our own fate. We are going to work hard in practice this week and hopefully finish out the [regular] season at the .500 mark and get the chance to play in the play-offs," said Mink.

The Maulers defeated the SandSharks 42-30, in the two teams' first meeting on June 12, in Montgomery, AL. The Maulers were offensively led by wide receiver Machion Sanders ( Alabama State University) who had two touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving in the win.

The Maulers are coming off a 68-14, loss to the Fayetteville Guard (13-1) last weekend in Fayetteville, NC. The loss snapped a Mauler three-game winning streak and was the 54-point deficit was the one of the largest of the season; however, Mink says he is not concerned about last weekend's loss and does not think it will affect the momentum of his team heading into this weekend's contest. "No, I'm not worried at all. Our guys had one bad quarter against Fayetteville. They got three quick scores on us in a five-minute span [in the second quarter] and we were forced to play catch-up after that. I know the abilities of this ball club and I'm confident the guys will rebound and be fine come Saturday night," said Mink.

The SandSharks are coming off a 68-0 win over a replacement team that filled in for the Florida Frenzy.

Mauler player to watch: Running Back Charlie Rollins (Miles College/Alabama State University) and utility player Octavius "Gator" Day ( Gulf Coast). Rollins has been the Maulers go-to guy since the franchise was purchased by Mink and General Manager John Morris on May 3. Rollins scored both of Montgomery's touchdowns in last weekend's loss to Fayetteville and completed a two-point conversion in the second quarter. He has scored 12 touchdowns and averaged right around 80 yards rushing/game over the past seven games. Day made his debut at the quarterback position late in the third quarter on Saturday night, relieving Maulers starting quarterback J.R. Richardson ( Alabama State University). Day completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rollins in the fourth quarter. In addition, he has collected 197-return yards over the past two games and had a game-high two touchdown night on June 17, vs. Greensboro.

This Saturday's game is set for a 7:00 PM kick-off time at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, SC.



National Indoor Football League Stories from June 29, 2006


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