Swashbucklers Return to Title Game

June 28, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


LAKE CHARLES LA. - With 32 seconds remaining in the game, linebacker Chris Hudler of the Louisiana Swashbucklers caught an onside kick and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. As a result, the Bucs defeated the Houston Stallions Monday night 56-41. This victory sets up the 2011 SIFL championship game between Louisiana and the Albany Panthers. The Panthers also advanced to the title game by winning last Saturday against the Columbus Lions 75-61. With the win Columbus will not be able to defend their league title. The Purple-and-Black game became the SIFL Western Conference champions while Albany won the Eastern Conference title.

This is Albany ‚¬â„¢s first appearance in the SIFL title game. For the Bucs, this is familiar territory as the team makes its third consecutive trip to the championship match. In 2010 Louisiana was defeated by the Columbus Lions 68-13 while the team won the 2009 title in the inaugural year of the SIFL.

The game will be played on Saturday, July 2nd, at the James H. Gray Civic Center in Albany. Pre-game activities will start at 7 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30.

The Stallions were defeated for the first time this season. Louisiana played without the services of quarterback Ben McLaughlin, who was unable to make the game. Though the score changed several times throughout the game the defense was able to place a lot of pressure on Houston quarterback Robert Kent. The Bucs backup quarterback Sammy Knight and running back Kendrick Perry had success with the ground game as the ball was run on about four dozen offensive plays. Kicker Blake Bercegay kicked six out of eight field goals.

The Panthers and Swashbucklers have developed something of a rivalry in the SIFL. Last season Louisiana defeated Albany to advance to the title game. The Panthers got payback when they beat Louisiana on their home turf to start the 2011 season by a score of 30-27.

Darnell Lee is the head coach of the Bucs. The Panthers are coached by Lucious Davis.



Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 28, 2011


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