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Bucs Stymie Panthers, Move On To Championship Game

July 11, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


ALBANY, GA (JULY 11, 2010) - In a showing of true grit, the defending champion Louisiana Swashbucklers (6-6) of the Southern Indoor Football League pulled off a 41-35 upset of the overall number one seed Albany Panthers (8-4) moving on to the Conference Championship in Columbus.

It was a remarkable start for a club that was thrown into the 2010 mix just two months prior to the season, including a regular season finish as the overall number one seed. But on this night, when the SIFL honored members of the Panthers for their play during the regular season, the defending champions would have all the right answers shutting down Albany's offense.

Despite not having home field advantage, Louisiana jumped out to an early lead 20-6 halftime lead thanks to two interception returns for a touchdown. Although he was awarded this past week for his play on special teams with a position on the All-SIFL 2nd Team, Swashbucklers defensive back Sammy Knight would honor those in attendance with his play on defense grabbing three interceptions. Knight's first was returned for an early touchdown while his last one all but sealed the victory for the Black and Purple Gang in the waning minutes of the game.

Honored in pre-game with the SIFL MVP Award, Lester was swashed by the Bucs defense on this night finishing with 267 yards and four TD's along with three key interceptions. Two of his picks were returned for a touchdown and due to his play Lester was replaced at one point in the game then came back out to stage a dramatic fourth quarter.

Having led Albany in many fourth quarter comebacks, this time Lester and the boys would have to do so Saturday being down 41-20 entering the final period. After a fumble recovery on the eight-yard line by Panthers linebacker Ryan Davis, the comeback began to take effect as Albany scored a touchdown on the very next play.

For the Swashbucklers, this was the beginning of that all familiar eerie feeling of another fourth quarter collapse when on the next drive Panthers defensive back Demetrie McCray picked off a Louisiana pass returning it to the red-zone sparking another Albany touchdown, this time on the feet of Lester. With just eight minutes remaining, the 21-point Bucs lead turned into a 6 point Panthers deficit. Following Lester's touchdown run, kicker Juan Bongarra nailed his second of two Uno's which proved to be the final points on this evening.

Albany staged two dramatic drives in the final moments only to be turned down each time in the red-zone. On first try, Lester was picked off by Knight for his third pick and on second attempt Cecil would make an effort to win the game with his feet but the clock would run out on Albany sealing the Bucs victory. The final two drives could summarize what kind of night it was for Albany squandering red-zone trip after red-zone trip leaving valuable points off the board. Louisiana's night, turned into the Sammy Knight show stealing much of the thunder on this day from the Panthers.

The defending champs will now go for an unprecedented four consecutive title when the travel back to Georgia to take on the Columbus Lions (9-3) for the Southern Indoor Football Championship Game on Sunday July 18th. For more on the Championship Game and other news from around the Southern Indoor Football League, stay tuned to www.southernifl.com.

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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 11, 2010


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