PIFL Unveils Week 4 Power Rankings

March 28, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) News Release


KNOXVILLE, TN (March 28, 2012) - After the second full week of action from Professional Indoor Football League action, the Albany Panthers hold firm onto the top spot of the PIFL Power Rankings after coming out on top of their first road challenge while the Richmond Raiders continue to impress.

Lake Charles Civic Center, aka The Smugglers Den, has been place where opponents become shipwrecked with no hope of parlay. Over the past five seasons, opponents have gone a combined 2-40 in the Smugglers Den helping the Bucs reach an unprecedented five consecutive championship games.

Already part of that previous stat line, the Panthers ventured into Louisiana as a team on a defensive roll with its offense in need of a major boost. That boost came with the emergence of veteran wide receiver Clenton Rafe helping rejuvenate Albany's offense with 10 receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns including catching the game-winning touchdown with just four seconds remaining aiding in the 58-55 victory over the Bucs.

Richmond moves up one spot on our weekly Power Rankings thanks to a strong defensive performance this past Saturday against Knoxville. Led behind two interceptions from Week 3 Defensive Player of the Week Chris Johnson, the Raiders defense forced eight turnovers in all scoring touchdowns on half of them in route to defeating the Nighthawks 70-42.

Louisiana might have fallen one spot, but come this Saturday they will have a chance to avenge that loss when they travel to take on those same Panthers. Losers of two straight in Albany, the Bucs will have to regain some of that magic that helped them upset the Panthers back in the 2010 playoffs. To do so, they may have to do it without starting QB Alvin Bartie who suffered an injury mid-way thru the 3rd quarter in last Saturday's loss to the Panthers.

Four through six bring about no changes with the Columbus Lions continuing to roll on offense behind QB Randy Hippeard's eight total touchdowns for the third consecutive week. Columbus defense came up with their strongest performance of the young season forcing six turnovers in a 56-43 victory over the Hammers.

Despite being down just six at half-time, the Nighthawks were outscored 43-21 in the 2nd half of their loss to the Raiders. Alabama is still in search of a proven signal-caller as both Arvell Nelson and Chris Mayabb combined to complete just 14 of 30 passes for three touchdowns while combining to throw five interceptions.

Week 4 of the upcoming 2012 PIFL season is "Backlash Weekend" with all six teams back in action against their foes from the previous weekend. For a look at all of this week's games, be sure to log on to www.proifl.com and for score updates to all three games, be sure to stay glued to the PIFL Facebook page.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 28, 2012


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