Power Rankings Nearly Unchanged

April 4, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) News Release


KNOXVILLE, TN (April 4, 2012) - Heading into the Easter Weekend byes, the Professional Indoor Football League Power Rankings only sees one change from last week's ranking with the Alabama Hammers moving out of the cellar thanks to their victory over the Columbus Lions this past weekend.

Albany (3-0) remains in the top spot after defeating the Louisiana Swashbucklers (1-2) for the second time in as many weeks. Led behind their suffocating defense, for the second consecutive game the Panthers held the Bucs to under 200 yards passing while creating a total four turnovers in the those two wins. Defensive back Damian Daniels grabbed his second INT of the season giving him a career total of 82 interceptions, just 12 shy of the indoor record.

Richmond (3-1) stays within reach of the top spot after once again beating the Knoxville Nighthawks (0-3) in a landslide winning 80-29. In the last two weeks, the Raiders have forced 12 turnovers scoring touchdowns on five of them. Quarterback Antwon Young has continued to impress having thrown for 17 touchdowns while running for another five.

Despite losing to the Panthers for the second time in as many weeks, the Bucs remain in the third spot. Only down by six at halftime, the Swashbucklers were held scoreless until 10 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. With starting quarterback Alvin Bartie out with an injury from the previous meeting, Louisiana signed Freddie Harrison mid-week only for him to sustain an injury Saturday's loss to Albany.

After Saturday's 63-60 loss, the Columbus Lions remain in the fourth spot falling back to .500 for the second time this season. A potential last minute game-winning drive fell short for the Lions with a game-ending touchdown grab being called back on an offensive pass interference call. After surrendering 40 points in the 1st half, the Columbus defense held Alabama to just two 2nd half touchdowns but it was a costly interception return for touchdown by linebacker Darian Payne that undid the Lions.

Alabama (1-2) moves out of the cellar coming up with the first victory of the season as well as their first road victory for the franchise. After committing a total of eight turnovers in the clubs first two games, quarterback Arvell Nelson led the huge upset by completing 16 of 33 passes for 247 yards for a total of seven touchdowns. More importantly, the Hammers offense did not commit any turnovers while the defense grabbed three with Week 4 Defensive Player of the Week Al Donaldson getting two interceptions.

Knoxville (0-3) falls down to the sixth and final spot after having being outscored 150-71 the past two weeks. Having committed 12 turnovers in those two losses, the Nighthawks rank last in the PIFL in turnover margin (-11). Protecting their QB's has also been a major point of concern having allowed a league-high eight sacks while the defense has been unable to create any pressure of their own getting a league-low two sacks.

All PIFL clubs will enjoy the Easter Weekend off before resuming play on Saturday April 14th with action including the undefeated Albany Panthers (3-0) traveling to take on the expansion Nighthawks (0-3), the Alabama Hammers (1-2) looking to make it two in a row when they visit the Richmond Raiders (3-1), along with the Columbus Lions (2-2) hoping to get back over .500 when they play host to the Louisiana Swashbucklers (1-2).

For all your scoring updates, be sure to log on to the PIFL's Facebook page and for articles, rosters, transaction wires, and photos from every game around the Professional Indoor Football League, log on to www.proifl.com.

RK TEAM RECORD CHANGE

1 Albany Panthers 3-0 -

2 Richmond Raiders 3-1 -

3 Louisiana Swashbucklers 1-2 -

4 Columbus Lions 2-2 -

5 Alabama Hammers 1-2 1

6 Knoxville Nighthawks 0-3 1



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 4, 2012


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