Swashbucklers Survive Scare From Nighthawks

May 21, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


LAKE CHARLES LA. - In what looked like it could be a third consecutive late game loss, the Louisiana Swashbucklers survive a scare from the Knoxville Nighthawks to come away with a 53-51 victory. The win brings the Bucs to 4-5 on the season, while Knoxville drops to 1-8. Every Bucs game the rest of the way is crucial to their seeding in Post Season play.

Knoxville came out strong as they scored first on a 26 yard field goal four minutes into the game. Louisiana answered just a few minutes later on a 25 yard pass from quarterback Freddie Harrison to wide receiver Sammy Knight. The two teams exchanged possessions for most of the first quarter until Bucs defensive back Damien Huren intercepted a Willie Copeland pass, ran it all the way back 50 yards for a TD. The touchdown was disallowed because of a personal foul penalty against Louisiana. The Bucs did; however, retain possession and shortly thereafter, running back Kendrick Perry plowed into the end zone and gave the Bucs a 14-3 lead to end the first.

In the second quarter, Nighthawks QB Willie Copeland went to work as he connected on a pass to Ryan McDaniel. A few series later, the Swashbucklers bounced back and scored again when Perry punched it in from four yards, giving the Bucs a 21-10 advantage. Most of the second quarter continued to see both clubs trading scores, including a Harrison to Knight 6 yard TD pass. Two minutes later, Knoxville QB Copeland connected to Cedric Jones, who was wide open in the end zone for a TD score. Another exchange of scores occurred when Harrison threw a bomb to former McNeese St. receiver Immanuel Friddle that covered 46 yards. Knoxville came right back on a Copeland to Jones short scoring pass less than four minutes later. Louisiana kicker Blake Bercegeay, who kicked a solid game, nailed a 35 yard field goal as timed expired giving the Bucs a 34-24 halftime lead.

After intermission the second half started with the Nighthawks attempting an onside kick. The onside kick did not work, and the Bucs had great field position to start the second half. Three plays later, Louisiana's RB Kendrick Perry once again found daylight and took the ball in for a score. Knoxville's next drive was aided by several Bucs penalties, including a pass interference flag that put the Nighthawks inside the five. Cedric Jones scampered in from two yards shortly thereafter.

Knoxville kept the pressure on the Bucs from that point forward, as Freddie Harrison was intercepted setting up a Knoxville scoring drive which ended with a Nighthawks 28 yard TD pass, and the game was tightening with the Bucs lead trimmed to 44-38 late in the 3rd quarter.

The fourth period would be decisive and thrilling. A 30 yard field goal from Bercegeay put the Swashbucklers 47-38 with 13 minutes showing on the clock. It didn't take Knoxville long to answer, as Copeland found McDaniel on a 24 yard touchdown connection. Now, all of a sudden, it was 47-45 with the Bucs 20 point lead almost completely evaporated. Shortly thereafter, Knoxville took the lead from Louisiana as Copeland nailed a short yardage pass to former Ohio State player Ryan Schuck. Another Knoxville try on a two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score now 51-47 Nighthawks with seven minutes remaining on the game clock.

The game was finally decided three minutes later when Bucs QB Freddie Harrison found Sammy Knight in the secondary. The completion took the ball to the one-yard line. A couple of plays later Knight was able to run it in following his big offensive line. A Swashbucklers two-point conversion try was unsuccessful. The Bucs were able to generate a final defensive stand against Knoxville, which culminated with a huge pass deflection by lineman Willie Pritchett that allowed the Bucs to survive with a 53-51 victory.

After a break for the Memorial Day weekend the Swashbucklers will take on the Columbus Lions in the Smuggler's Den on Saturday, June 2nd.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 21, 2012


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