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SIFL Playoff Preview

June 14, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) News Release


LAKE CHARLES, La. - In perhaps what may be indoor football's most competitive post-season, the Southern Indoor Football League playoffs begin Saturday with the Columbus Lions eager to defend their 2010 league championship.

Eight teams are vying for a title in what SIFL Commissioner Gary Tufford expects to be a showcase of the sport's best talent and coaching.

"We've been looking forward to the post-season because it is the game at its finest," Tufford said. "There are going to be some great games and some great individual performances. Everyone is going to be turning it up to the next level over the next three weeks."

Action begins Saturday with four games, including:

TRENTON STEEL(8-4 record, 4th seed in East) vs. COLUMBUS LIONS (11-1 record, 1st in East). The expansion Steel got off to a rocky 0-3 start, but have rallied to win eight of their final nine games. Quarterback E.J. Nemeth has thrown for 70 touchdowns this season while rushing for 27 to lead an offense that's 2nd in the SIFL with 69.4 points per game. The Lions have won nine straight games by being solid on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chris McCoy can go to versatile threat Anthony Merritt (Nine rushing TDs, 13 by reception and three by return) or veteran wide receiver Gerald Gales (23 touchdowns). Damian Daniels has had one of the best season in the sport's history at defensive back, registering 18 interceptions.

ERIE EXPLOSION (9-3 record, 3rd seed in East) vs. ALBANY PANTHERS (10-2 record, 2nd in East). Erie might have the greatest quarterback-receiver tandem in indoor football with Adam DiMichele and Kevin Concepcion. DiMichele has thrown for 3,247 yards and 91 touchdowns - -46 of those to Concepcion. Albany is looking for another chance at Columbus and a chance to redeem last year's first-round upset to Louisiana. Cecil Lester has thrown for 2,626 yards and 64 touchdowns as the Panthers their second 10-win season in the SIFL.

CORPUS CHRISTI HAMMERHEADS (7-5,3RD seed in West) vs. LOUISIANA SWASHBUCKLERS (8-4,2nd in West). One of indoor football longest rivalries continues in the playoffs. Louisiana defeated Corpus Christi twice in the now-defunct Intense Football League's championship game. Corpus Christi scored just 46 points in its first two games, but rallied under new coach Dustin Almond. Louisiana will be looking for its fifth consecutive appearance in a league championship game under Darnell Lee. Ben McLaughlin has thrown for 50 touchdowns, but the Bucs have lost three of their last four games.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY MAGIC (6-6, 4th seed in West) vs. HOUSTON STALLIONS (12-0,1st in West). [MONDAY NIGHT] The Magic came on late to earn the West's final playoff seed, winning its final three games. John Taylor's 14 rushing touchdowns key a balanced offense. The Stallions overcame early season adversity to post a perfect season and earned with a one-point win at Corpus Christi and a two-point win at Louisiana. Robert Kent has thrown 52 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Timon Marshall has caught 24 of those, while Carlos Alsup has rushed for 11. The Stallions' defense has given up a league-low of 36.8 points per game.

Follow the SIFL playoffs Saturday and Monday on www.southernifl.com or www.twitter.com/siflgameday.

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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 14, 2011


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