Force grab last-second victory
April 9, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Greenville Force News Release
GREENVILLE, SC (April 9, 2010) - A last second four yard touchdown pass to Willie Idelette from quarterback Andrew Webb gives the Greenville Force (2-0) of the Southern Indoor Football League a 57-54 win over the Louisiana Swashbucklers (1-2) on Friday night.
From the opening moments it seemed as if the Swashbucklers had reorganized a defense that let up 274 passing yards on their previous outing as Louisiana created three turnovers in the first quarter while holding the Force scoreless entering the first break up 13-0.
The Force managed to rally back even with quarterback Andrew Webb struggling majority of the night throwing five interceptions. Greenville made up for a lack luster first quarter performance by notching 23 points in the follow up period managing to find themselves down by eleven at the mid-way point.
Coming out of the gate, Louisiana appeared to have momentum returning the second half's opening kick for a touchdown going up by 17. But costly missed field goals and extra points would end up being the achilles heal for the Swashbucklers as Louisiana special teams failed to convert four field goal opportunities as well as only connecting on three of seven extra points chances.
Those missed opportunities kept Greenville within striking distance for much of the second half before seizing their first lead at 50-46 on a touchdown by Titus Curry with 9:00 left in the fourth. On the ensuing drive, Swashbucklers head coach Shadrick McAfee choose to skip a field goal chance on a fourth and goal at the Force 11 electing to go for the touchdown only to ultimately turn the ball over on downs with 6:00 left.
But Greenville was experiencing some kicking woes of themselves failing to connect on a field goal after driving down to the red zone giving the Bucs back the ball with 3:00 left. Louisiana would take advantage going back in front on a Sammy Knight touchdown with less than a minute also tacking on an uno giving them a 54-50 lead.
With: 40 left to maneuver, the Force drove the ball down into Louisiana territory ending the drive on a touchdown pass from Andrew Webb to Willie Idlette with only: 8 to spare up 57-54. A great return gave Louisiana a chance to force overtime, but the fourth and final missed field goal would end the Swashbucklers bid giving the game to the Force. Friday's defeat marks Louisiana's second consecutive defeat while the win gives Greenville two straight over Louisiana clubs.
Next weekend, the Swashbucklers and Force will meet up in a rematch-taking place in the Smugglers Den on Saturday while the SIFL will experience their first full slate of action with the Columbus Lions taking on the North Georgia Bulldogs as well as the Lafayette Wildcatters traveling to take on the Albany Panthers.
• Discuss this story on the Southern Indoor Football League message board...
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from April 9, 2010
- Force grab last-second victory - Greenville Force
- Over a Cup of Coffee - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
