Thunderbolts Clinch Southern Division Title
May 27, 2007 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
The Lakeland Thunderbolts captured the American Indoor Football Association Southern Division title by defeating the Carolina Speed 39 -21.
This is the second consecutive southern division title for the Thunderbolts. "I am very excited about winning the division crown. This is my fourth division title as a coach" Head Coach Teddy Keaton said. Keaton won two titles with the Odessa Roughnecks and two with Lakeland.
The 10 - 2 Thunderbolts defeated the 8-7 Speed in Carolina on Friday night. "We started off slow again, the chemistry was not there in the first half" said offensive coordinator Kenny Johnson. Lakeland went into the locker room down at the half 14-11. "We came out the second half and played as I expected we would. Coach Mink did an excellent job preparing his team to play us" Johnson said. Kicker Steve Kratz opened the game with an uno kick giving the Thunderbolts a 1-0 lead. Carolina quickly countered with a 45 yard pass for a touchdown. The game remained close and with one second on the clock Carolina kicker Bruce Rieneckeiz hit a 26 yard field goal putting the Speed up 14-11 at the half. In the third quarter Lakeland's Aso Pogi hit receiver Don Robinson for a 13 yard go ahead touchdown pass giving Lakeland the 18 - 14 lead. The Thunderbolts scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. Pogi threw a 23 yard pass to Octavius Day who took it to the one yard line where fullback Marvin Brown carried the ball over for the score. Pogi followed this with touchdown passes to Day and Drenzo Payne. The 24 yard pass to Payne came with 45 seconds on the clock and secured the game and Southern Division Championship for the Thunderbolts. "I feel good being able to escape Carolina with a win. My hat is off to Speed coach Mike Mink he did a fine job preparing his team" Keaton said. "I can't say enough about our defense who was outstanding they created turnover after turnover and made big stops at key times" Keaton said. "I am proud of the defense they have been solid all season and tonight's performance is just another example" said defensive coordinator Pat Dooley.
The Thunderbolts return to Lakeland for their final regular season game on Saturday June 2nd.The Thunderbolts will host the first round of the AIFA championship playoffs on Monday night June 11th.
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American Indoor Football Association Stories from May 27, 2007
- Thunderbolts Clinch Southern Division Title - Lakeland ThunderBolts
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