Playoff Seeds on the Line in "I-10" Rivalry

June 25, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


LAKE CHARLES, LA (JUNE 25, 2010) - With both clubs having qualified for the 2010 playoffs, the Lafayette Wildcatters (5-5) and the Louisiana Swashbucklers (5-5) of the Southern Indoor Football League will clash in the season finale for both clubs with Saturdays game deciding who travels to Albany or Columbus for the first round of the playoffs.

With an 8-2 record, Albany sewed up the overall number one seed and regular season title by virtue of their 66-15 victory over the Greenville Force last weekend while Columbus secured the second seed following a thrilling 58-55 win over Lafayette giving them a 7-3 record thus leaving the Wildcatters and Swashbucklers left dueling it out as to see who will either travel to Columbus on July 8th or Albany on July 10th.

The 2010 version of the "I-10" rivalry has been owned by the Wildcatters defeating Louisiana both times including that overtime thriller that took place in early May ending with a 59-52 Lafayette victory followed up with 63-47 dominating Catter win earlier this month. 

In order to complete the season sweep, the Wildcatters will have to shore up a secondary that desperately missed defensive back Clarence Pendleton last weekend.  Without Pendleton, Lafayette's defense allowed 266 passing yards hampering the Wildcatters in their first home loss of the season.

In their last match-up against the Bucs, the Catters pass defense played a vital part holding Louisiana quarterback Freddie Harrison to just 15 of 32 passing for 195 yards.  The Swashbucklers first half struggles, only scored on two of nine possessions, hampered any chance of a second half comeback especially with much of their offense punch coming via their rushing attack.  Led by fullback Kendrick Perry, the Bucs feature the SIFL's top rushing attack at 48 yards/game.

After having last weekend off, the Black and Purple Gang will concentrate on how to stop the quick passing attack of Lafayette quarterback Juan Joseph.  In last week's Columbus defeat, Joseph was 17 of 35 for 250 yards and five touchdowns and in the last "I-10" meeting he completed 21 of 30 passes for 174 yards and six total touchdowns. 

Louisiana will look to ride the momentum of a current 33 game home winning streak as Saturday will mark the final game taking place in the Smugglers Den for the 2010 season.  Depending on who win's Saturdays contest, either club will have a chance to host the 2010 championship game if both can pull an upset in the opening round of the playoffs.  Chips will be stacked against them, as Columbus and Albany have a combined 10-1 record at home.

The "I-10" rivalry will resume this Saturday night June 26th in the Smugglers Den as both the Lafayette Wildcatters and Louisiana Swashbucklers will look to end the season above .500 and create some momentum as they enter the 2010 playoffs.

To track this rivalry and all of the Southern Indoor Football League's final weekend of action, log on to www.southernifl.com and follow the live twitter feed.



Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 25, 2010


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