Montgomery Maulers game notes

July 8, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release


THE STAKES:

A playoff game that if Montgomery wins will give them another home playoff game. A loss will end Montgomery's season. THE SERIES:

This is the first meeting between the two teams.

THE Ifs:

If Montgomery defeats Miami, it would ...
-Give Montgomery 1-0 series record against the Morays
-Give Montgomery a 7-4 non-divisional record
-Give Montgomery 7-1 record at home

HEAD COACH JAMES SHIVER:

Shiver has been the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator over the past four years with the Lake Charles (LA) Landsharks, one of the top teams in the NIFL. During that time, Lake Charles compiled a 42-13 record with three playoff appearances.

A former college football player at Louisiana-Lafayette, Shiver played defensive back for two seasons of indoor football with Lafayette (IPFL) before joining the coaching ranks.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Coach Shiver on the game versus the Lakeland Thunderbolts and the upcoming game against Beaumont:

"The Lubbock game was a huge win for us. There were bad calls on both sides of the ball but in the end the team pulled together and came up with a win. It helped show the guys you have to play as a team and if things start to go wrong you have to pull together and help each other out."

"It gave us great momentum for the playoffs. Practice this week has been going well and I think the team will be ready for this game."

DROPBACK:

The Montgomery Maulers closed out the regular season with a dramatic 53-48 win over the Lubbock Gunslingers Saturday night in front of 4,423 fans at Garrett Coliseum. With the win, the Maulers (8-6) clinched the NIFL Central Division title and earned a first-round home playoff game.

Despite trailing most of the game, Lubbock (4-10) had a chance to win in the final seconds. Lubbock was on the one yard line, but could not punch it into the endzone on two successive running plays as time expired. The loss knocked the Gunslingers out of the playoffs.

Montgomery led 27-20 at halftime and was never able to pull away in the second half. Antoine Hill made the biggest play of the night, returning a missed field goal 49 yards for a touchdown with 4:19 left in the game to give the Maulers a 53-41 lead. Lubbock fought back to pull within five points before the Montgomery defense came up big in the end. Quarterback J.R. Richardson completed 18 of 28 passes for 196 yards and five touchdowns. His leading receiver was Machion Sanders who caught eight passes for 70 yards and two scores. Shaun Holmes caught five passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.

"Hometown Hero" Cedrick Williams participated in the game, playing noseguard for a series in the final quarter. The 42-year-old Williams, who serves as the President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs, was using his participation as a fundraiser for his organization.

FORWARD MOTION:

The Maulers will host another playoff game Saturday, July 16th if they win tonight. Game and ticket information will be announced at a later date if that game is scheduled.

Miami has lost four of the last five by 38 points or more and lost the last game on the road by 60 points. Montgomery has won and lost by narrow margins this season and cannot underestimate this team even though Miami has lost by a lot last few games.

TEAMS NOTES/TRENDS:

Philyaw named to All-Stars

David Philyaw has been named to the National Indoor Football League' s All Star Classic. This is Philyaw's second season in the NIFL with his first being with the Houma Bayou Bucks. This season for the Maulers, Philyaw has recorded 43 total tackles and 14 breakups with three interceptions and fumbles recovered for each. Philyaw also returned an onside kickoff for a touchdown against the Lakeland Thunderbolts on June 11.

The All Star Classic will be held in Odessa, Texas on August 6, 2005 at the Ector County Coliseum.. Philyaw will join other outstanding players throughout the country and the NIFL in Odessa, TX on August 5-6.

A Rebounding Defense

The Maulers defense stepped up the last game with a final seconds goal line stand to help win the game. The defense will also have to be on its toes Saturday against Miami. The Morays are first in the league in sacks with 32 and is second in rushing defense.



National Indoor Football League Stories from July 8, 2005


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