Hammers' Defense Comes Up Big In Home Finale
June 9, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Alabama Hammers News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Al. - The Alabama Hammers came up with several big stops and the offense put up enough points on the board to hold off the Louisiana Swashbucklers 58-42 in front of 2,209 in the Hammers home finale.
Hammers quarterback Arvell Nelson returned to the starting lineup and completed 21-of-32 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 12 rushes for 41-yards and two touchdowns as the Hammers snapped a five-game losing streak to improve to 3-8 on the season. The Swashbucklers, who are playing to improve their playoff seeding, fall to 5-6 on the season.
Defensively, Ray Little intercepted three passes as the defense came up with four total interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, and two defensive touchdowns. Little finished with two first half interceptions and added a huge fourth quarter interception to help seal the game.
Leading 19-18 at halftime, the Hammers opened the second half with a five play, 35-yard scoring drive that was capped off by Nelsons 11-yard pass to Thomas Harris to extend the lead to 27-18.
The defense then took over as Darian Payne recovered a Louisiana fumble and returned it 32-yards to extend the Hammers lead to 34-18. Irving McGuire then recovered another Louisiana fumble on the next possession, which set up Nelson's 16-yard touchdown pass to Harris two plays later to give the Hammers a 41-26 lead.
The Swashbucklers were able to cut the lead to 44-45 following Kendrick Perry's second touchdown run of the night. Nelson promptly turned around and drove the Hammers down the field and scored with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 51-35.
The defense then sealed the game. Little intercepted his third pass of the night, this one in the end zone, and returned it the Louisiana five before being tripped up and fumbled the ball. The Swashbucklers recovered the fumble and then threw another interception on the very next play, as Al Donaldson stepped in front of the pass and returned it eight yards for a touchdown to push the lead to 58-35.
Thomas Harris led the Hammers with 108 yards receiving and three touchdowns on seven catches. Mico McSwain added seven catches for 51-yards and one touchdown while Charles McClain added six passes for 52-yards.
The Hammers will travel to Louisiana next week for a rematch with the Swashbucklers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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