ThunderBolts-Fayetteville Playoff Preview
Published on July 14, 2006 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
LAKELAND-The Lakeland ThunderBolts (13-2) of the National Indoor Football League, are on the road this Sunday, July 16 as they take on the Fayetteville Guard (13-1) in the semifinals round of the 2006 playoffs. Kick is set for 4pm at the Crown Coliseum, in Fayetteville, NC. The ThunderBolts beat the Montgomery Maulers last Saturday night 70-62 to advance to the semifinals. This will be Fayetteville's first playoff game; they received a bye week in the first round due to their second place seeding. This will be the second meeting between these two teams. The two teams meet back in April for a "Battle of the Unbeaten," the ThunderBolts walked away from that game with a 60-41 victory over the Guard.
About the Guard: When the Fayetteville Guard step out on the field Sunday afternoon, more than just advancing to the next round of the playoffs will be on their mind. The Guard, who lost to the ThunderBolts earlier this season, are looking for revenge on the team that handed them their only lose of the season. The Guard finished third in the league with scoring offense and second in the league, behind the ThunderBolts, in scoring defense. During the regular season RB Wilmont Perry lead the team in rushing yards with 58.0 per game. WR Jamie Deese led the team in receiving yards with an average of 52.4 per game. While on defense LB Al Wilson led the team in tackles with 68. Fayetteville normally does not have a kicker on their roster and go for the two point conversion every time, but they have added a kicker to their roster for the game on Sunday.
About the ThunderBolts: The ThunderBolts beat the Maulers 70-62, but not without a great second half rally by the Maulers. The ThunderBolts lead the game going into half time 43-18, but after half time it was like a different ThunderBolts team came out to play. The ThunderBolts were able to hold on for the win due to the cushion they had from the first half. QB Jason Johnson completed 5-of-9 pass for 2 touchdowns. Johnson connected with RB Mario Robbins three times for 17 yards and 1 touchdown. Robbins also had 79 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Defensively both DB Larry Kendrick and LB John Norman combined for 16 solo tackles. While DL/OL Robert Branch and LB Justin Komondoreas each had a sack that combined for a total loss of 11 yards.
If the ThunderBolts win on Sunday, they will play the winner of the Rage-Marshals game the weekend of July 22. For more information about next weeks game, check out the ThunderBolts website at lakelandthunderbolts.com or niflfootball.com. All home games are played at the Lakeland Center. For more information call 863.688.Thor (8467) or visit our office at 1628 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803.
National Indoor Football League Stories from July 14, 2006
- ThunderBolts-Fayetteville Playoff Preview - Lakeland ThunderBolts
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
