ThunderBolts set for Alabama invasion
June 2, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. â The ThunderBolts have won two of their last three and with an extra week to prepare, Lakeland (4-6) will visit Montgomery for the first of two games against the Maulers in eight days, with new energy.
The ThunderBolts play at Montgomery (5-5) on Saturday in a National Indoor Football League game and then the two hook up at Ray Lewis Field in the Lakeland Center on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Lakeland is so balanced statistically, its players rarely surface among the top 10 categories in the NIFL except for quarterback Jeremy Martin who is out of action with staff infection.
Defensive back Lance Small leads the league in tackles with a total of 81, 72 of them unassisted. Steve Kratz ranks among the top kickers and receiver Tavarius Johnson is 3rd in kickoff return average (27.2).
Kratz is tied for 7th in kick scoring (53 points) and tied at sixth for number of field goals (11). His 47.8 percentage is second only to Odessa's Whitney Hillin's (20-31) 64.5%.
Johnson also is the team's leading receiver with 41 catches, 458 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 41 catches is just five shy of being in the top 10 receivers.
In the team categories, Lakeland is tied for 5th in scoring defense (39 points a game) and is 6th in pass offense (188.9 yards a game).
The ThunderBolts also are 9th in pass rating (103.9) and 6th in kickoff returns (18.9 yards a return).
The biggest obstacle Montgomery presents is its rushing offense, which ranks 5th in the league (82.3 yards a game and a total of 37 running touchdowns).
Michael Peeples will get the call at quarterback for Martin at Montgomery. The 6-foot-4 Peeples has seen significant playing time and a couple of starts this season. He is 30 of 54 (.556) for 314 yards and eight touchdowns and has maintained a 100.46 pass rating.
Peeples best game was against the Kissimmee Kreatures on May 8 when he was 11 of 18 (.611) 102 yards and four touchdowns. He had a season-high 191 yards on 17 completions at the Dayton Warbirds on April 29.
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For additional information about The Lakeland ThunderBolts, the NIFL, ticket purchasing information, or corporate sponsorship information, please visit our website at www.lakelandthunderbolts.com or call 863-687-8110. Additional information about the NIFL can be found at the league website, www.nationalindoorfootballleague.net or call 888-422-9682.
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