Season's Second Half Begins with a Bang for Spartans
May 1, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
La Crosse Spartans News Release
La Crosse, WI: It wasn't how they wanted to begin their first season, but after Friday night's victory against the Chicago Slaughter the La Crosse Spartans are feeling a sense of confidence as they begin the IFL's second half. In their fifth straight home game, all in the month of April, the Spartans faithful came out to the La Crosse Center ready to see the team's first win. They got what they came for as the team used a balance of offensive pressure and stout defense to net their first win in franchise history. At game's end, the scoreboard read 35-29 and moved the Spartans to 1-7 on the year.
At the beginning of the game, it was evident that both defenses came to play. The two teams traded back and forth stops until Spartans Kicker nailed a 29 yard field goal to begin the scoring. On their next possession, Quarterback Buddy Rivera led a nine play, 45 yard drive into Slaughter territory, capping it off with a one yard scoring run to increase the lead to 9-0. Two Slaughter touchdowns and another by Spartans Running back Mark Bonds had the Spartans up 15-14 at halftime and feeling confident for their first victory.
To begin the second half it seemed that the game may turn back into the opponents favor. Star Running back Jarrett Payton finished off a seven play 33 yard drive by powering across the goal line from seven yards out. A Tavares Woodley run put the Slaughter up 22-15 to begin the third quarter. Rivera then, playing in just his second game as a Spartan, led two consecutive scoring drives, highlighted by a 35 yard scoring strike to Christopher Headd. Chicago came back with a score of their own to inch closer, but again the La Crosse defense came up big. Attempting to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, Defensive Back Paul Simpson intercepted a Randy Hutchinson pass in the Slaughter zone, setting up an Antonio Overstreet five yard scoring run and sealing the Spartans first win in team history. The Spartans now have the monkey off their back, and hope to continue this success as the season's second half continues.
The team now gears up for a road contest against the Bloomington Extreme next Saturday, May 8th. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the US Cellular Coliseum. Fans who wish to watch the game can purchase a season or individual game pass on www.b2livetv.com. The team is on the road until a May 21st home game also against Bloomington. Tickets are still available and can be purchased via the La Crosse Spartans website, www.lacrossespartans.com, or at the La Crosse Center box office. Discounted group tickets are also available by calling the team office at 608-567-4299.
Game Notes: The Spartans Defense held Hutchinson to under 50% passing and only 100 yards thru the air...Rivera completed 9 of 17 passes for 63 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 29 yards and a score...Linebacker George Carpenter finished the game with five unassisted tackles, one sack, and one tackle for a loss...Payton ran seven times for 27 yards and two touchdowns while also catching two passes for 31 yards.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 1, 2010
- Reese, Amarillo Rush Past Abilene - Amarillo Venom
- Revolution Hold on to defeat Thunderhawks - Richmond Revolution
- Predators Fall at Home to Defending Champs - Seattle Timberwolves
- Season's Second Half Begins with a Bang for Spartans - La Crosse Spartans
- Slaughter Winning Streak Comes To An End On The Road - Chicago Slaughter
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