Lions Roar by Swashbucklers

April 16, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


(Columbus, Ga.) The Louisiana Swashbucklers; known for their dominance in the Pro Indoor Football circles over recent years, has hit a bump in the road. On Saturday night, the Columbus Lions humbled the Bucs during a 75-61 victory, sending the Swashbucklers to their third consecutive defeat.

The Bucs seemed a step or two slow to begin the game, and the Lions took full advantage. Columbus scored just 1:55 into the game on a 19 yard pass from QB Randy Hippeard to WR Gerald Gales. After another TD pass made it 14-0, kicker Blake Bercegeay connected on a 23 yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-3, but that was as close as the Bucs would be the rest of the game.

Columbus used a quick hitting short passing game, which seemed to keep the Bucs puzzled for much of the game. The Lions QB was 28-37 316 yards with eight TD passes. For the Bucs, Sammy Knight started at QB for Freddie Harrison, who is improving from a bruised sternum, but still not 100%. Knight was 14-22 227 yards with four TD passes.

Bucs QB Freddie Harrison entered the game in the second quarter for a struggling Sammy Knight, but didn't have a lot of success either, going just 3-9 with two interceptions. Sammy returned to QB for most of the second half, playing a lot more relaxed and accurate with his throws. Unfortunately, the Bucs trailed between 20-30 points for most of the second half.

There was some bright spots for the Bucs on this night. Running Back Kegdrick Perry rushed for 44 yards with two touchdowns, newly signed WR Immanuel Friddle caught five passes, including three for touchdowns. Friddle is a former receiver for McNeese State. The other standout for the Bucs was LB Tray Blackmon. The former Auburn linebacker compiled five solo tackles, and assisted on another.

Despite the loss, the Bucs remained tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the PIFL. The Swashbucklers return home next Saturday, April 21st against the Richmond Raiders. This will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Richmond currently stands at 4-1, the Bucs are 1-3 with eight games remaining on the regular season schedule.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 16, 2012


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