ThunderBolts-SandShark Preview
May 25, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
LAKELAND-The Lakeland ThunderBolts are on the road this week when they take on the Charleston SandSharks Saturday, May 27 in Charleston, South Carolina at the North Charleston Colliseum. The ThunderBolts (8-1) are coming off a heart breaking loss to the St. Louis RiverCity Rage (7-1), 46-50. The Rage handed the ThunderBolts their first lose of the season with time expired on the game clock. The loss to RiverCity will affect Lakeland's record in the Atlantic Conference standing, but the loss still has them first in the Atlantic Conference Southern Division, with Osceola still 3 games behind Lakeland.
About the SandSharks: The SandSharks will be hungry this week as they look to hand Lakeland their second loss of the season. Charleston is hoping that Lakeland has not yet recovered from their first lose of the season last week, to give Charleston the advantage going into Saturday nights game. The SandSharks are coming off a victory over the Bulldogs, 49-31. The win improved the SandSharks record to 4-3.
About the ThunderBolts: The ThunderBolts are looking to bounce back after their first loss of the season to the RiverCity Rage, 46-50. Lakeland was looking forward to having a perfect season but feel that if they lost a game this season then this was a good time to do so. "The loss hurt," said head coach Teddy Keaton. "But I would rather suffer a loss now then when we get to the playoffs." "We have it (the loss) out of our systems and can go back to focusing on what is really important, the Championship."
The ThunderBolts came out with a strong start against the Rage. With 13:30 on the clock in the first quarter DB Otheese Wells had a 40 yard interception that resulted in a touchdown. Even though Lakeland came out on fire and scored the first 10 points of the game, they were unable to recover from minor mistakes and missed field goals. The Rage took advantage of those minor mistakes to give them the victory. QB Jason Johnson completed 7-of-16 passes with 1 interception and 2 touchdowns. When Johnson could not connect he ran the ball 6 times for a total of 32 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson connected with WR Kenny Perry twice for 38 yards and 1 touchdown. RB Mario Robbins ran the ball 7 times for a total of 45 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense CB Aramis Haralson and Rashad Mays both had 5 solo stops and 2 assisted blocks. The defense also grabbed 3 interceptions during the game.
The ThunderBolts are at home again June 24 vs. Osceola. Kick off is at 7pm at the Lakeland Center. Single game tickets are 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.
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