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Speed Race to Fifth Straight Win, Hand Mudcats First Loss

April 9, 2007 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Carolina Speed News Release


Aaron Leak's seven touchdowns powered the Carolina Speed past the previously undefeated Mississippi Mudcats 64-52 in a high-scoring South division showdown Saturday night at the Cabarrus Arena. The win, Carolina's fifth straight, improves the Speed record to 6-2 and within a game in the loss column of the first place Mudcats, who now stand 8-1.

In a game that featured several momentum swings, Carolina cruised to a big lead behind Leak, the former UNC/Troy quarterback who's kick started the offense since his insertion into the starting lineup. Amongst his seven touchdowns were five short touchdown runs (a pair of two yard scampers, a three yarder, four yarder, and five yarder) and two touchdown passes to "go to" receiver Brandon McDowell (26yds. and four yards). Leak, a former Prep All-American at Riverside High School in Durham, finished the night completing 16 of 24 passes for 220 yards.

The Speed led 28-19 at half and increased the margin to 47-26 with four minutes left in the third quarter before Mississippi mounted a late comeback attempt."I was telling the Team get ready for the run" said Head Coach Michael Mink."They are a great team with a great QB,you just can't keep them down all 4 qtrs" said Mink Mudcats quarterback Tommy Jones, the former Indiana University star, scored on a short keeper and then hooked up with receiver Darryl Carter twice to bring Mississsippi within five points at 57-52. But on the ensuing onside kick attempt, the Speed's McDowell fielded the kick and returned it ten yards to ice the game and provide the final margin.

The "Carolina Crush" defense, although failing to keep intact a string of holding opponents to under 35 points, did their job by intercepting four passes, including a 45 yard return for a touchdown by James Woodruff. Edward Bell and Jamel Jackson led the Speed attack unit with five solo tackles each.

In addition, kicker Bruce Rienecker added a rouge and a 22 yard field goal to round out the Speed scoring.

Carolina now hits the road to face another big South division rival, the (5-1) Lakeland Thunderbolts Saturday night. Toe-to-leather time is set for 7PM, and fans can watch the action by logging onto www.aifatv.com.

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