Ahoy, Mateys; Panthers Walk The Plank In Bucs Defeat

May 23, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


LAKE CHARLES, LA (May 23, 2010) - Behind newcomer Freddie Harrison's six passing touchdowns, the Louisiana Swashbucklers (3-4) of the Southern Indoor Football League knocked the Albany Panthers (5-1) down from the ranks of the undefeated on Saturday night winning 67-43.

In order to maintain hope of clinching a home field playoff game, the Swashbucklers played on Saturday night as if it were a must-win situation. Led by the new addition of Freddie Harrison, the Bucs jumped out early going right down the field and scoring on their first two drives. Albany would answer back with a 48-yard touchdown reception by John Harris, added with a Juan Bongarra uno the Panthers captured their first and only lead of the night.

From this point on, the 1st half featured a stellar showing by the Louisiana defense. The Panthers were held without a touchdown until the 7:36 mark in the 3rd Quarter. By that time the Bucs had already captured a 20-point lead. Without starting quarterback Cecil Lester and newly signed Andrico Hines, kicker Juan Bongarra kep the Panthers within striking distance for much of the night.

Bongarra had a huge night connecting on three rouge kicks, four field goals (46, 35, 29, 57) and a perfect 4 for 4 in PAT attempts. Bongarra's 19 points kept the Panthers within reach of Louisiana getting within 11 towards mid-way in the fourth.

In the absence of Lester and Hines, Albany looked for wide receiver Antwontis Cutts to go under center. Cutts was under fire by the Swashbucklers defense majority of the night, only completing 9 of 23 for 175 yards and four touchdowns. The Louisiana defense made a strong return home collecting four sacks, one interception, and two fumbles. Towards the end of the game, linebacker Courtney Brooks took one of those fumbles and returned it 44 yards for the final score of the game.

The Bucs high flying offense returned to put up 357 total yards of offense. Newcomer Harrison pitched in connecting on 21 of 41 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns. Receiver Marcus Wildridge was the main target on the night collecting 11 receptions for 211 yards and four touchdowns.

Albany's loss moves them into a first place tie with the idle Columbus Lions (5-1) while Louisiana's win puts them ahead of the Greenville (2-4) and Lafayette (2-4) with the pair meeting this Monday night in the Cajun Dome at 7:30. The Swashbucklers will look to make it two in row move back to .500 when they take on the visiting Lions next Saturday May 29th.

For more information from around the Southern Indoor Football League, log on to www.southernifl.com.



Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 23, 2010


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