ThunderBolts Remain Perfect
Published on May 1, 2006 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
LAKELAND-The Lakeland ThunderBolts improved their record to 6-0 by defeating the Fayetteville Guard, 60-41, in of 2,697 fans at the Lakeland Center on Saturday night.
Though the second half was dominated by the ThunderBolts, the game remained close in the first half. After Fayetteville's offense failed to get going on the first drive of the game, Lakeland's Will Glover returned a Guard field-goal attempt from his own end zone to help the ThunderBolts strike first and take a quick 7-0 lead.
The Guard was quick to strike back, on their next offensive drive to tie the game when quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen hit Jamie Deese for a 7 yard touchdown pass. The score was set up be a 13-yard run from Withy-Allen two plays prior to the pass.
Tailback Mario Robbins put an exclamation mark on Lakeland's first offensive drive after he ran 10-yards and dove between two defenders to give Lakeland back the lead, 14-7.
Withy-Allen didn't take long to answer for the Guard as he took advantage of a single-covered Jay Jackson to connect on a 43-yard touchdown with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter. A missed Fayetteville extra-point attempt allowed Lakeland to remain ahead 14-13.
Lakeland capitalized on the mistake to go up 21-13 on a 1-yard Cortlandt Florence run. Florence and other ThunderBolts players were used throughout the game to lead a rushing attack that played without the services of Perry Tisdale (hamstring injury).
"Everybody stepped up with they needed to step up," Lakeland head coach Teddy Keaton said. "This is a big ball game and this is when you come in and you play your role."
With less than five minutes remaining in the half, Lakeland quarterback Jason Johnson was intercepted by Fayetteville defensive back Jess Parker. One play later, Withy-Allen made the ThunderBolts pay by throwing a 30-yard strike to Jackson. The Guard then completed a two-point conversion to tie the game at 21.
Johnson's legs help redeem him on the next Lakeland drive when he dodged tacklers to score from 12-yards out to take the ThunderBolts into halftime with a 28-21 lead.
The ThunderBolts are at home again May 6 vs. Monroe Twin City Gators. Kick off is at 7pm at the Lakeland Center. Season Tickets and Mini Flex Plans are still available for the ThunderBolts second season of professional indoor football. Single game tickets are now available at the Lakeland Center Box Office 863.834.8111 or at any Ticketmaster location 863.682.5300. All home games are played at the Lakeland Center. For more information call 863.688.Thor (8467) or visit our new office at 1628 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 1, 2006
- ThunderBolts Remain Perfect - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- Commentary: NIFL daily buzz - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt
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