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Week Ten Game Review

April 9, 2007 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) News Release


Week Ten in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) saw division races tighten, a previously undefeated team lose its first game, and a couple of fantastic finishes. Let's go to the scoreboard..

Action got underway Thursday night in Danville, IL when Lakeland struck early and often, hammering Danville 72-6. A good indicator of things to come occurred on the game's opening play from scrimmage when Thunderbolts' quarterback Aso Pogi connected with AJ Bennett for a touchdown. Lakeland upped its record to 5-1 and tied division leader Mississippi in the loss column in the AIFA's South division. The Thunderbolts return home to host Carolina this week. Danville drops to 1-5.

Elsewhere, Canton captured a 38-2 victory over the Baltimore Blackbirds before 1800 fans at the Canton Civic Center. Former Syracuse signal caller Kevin Mason was on the mark for the Legends, throwing for three scores, two to receiver Maurice Lee. Mason finished the night completing 15 of 26 passes for 183 yards. Canton's Jo Jo Polk added a 50 yard interception return for a touchdown, one of five pickoffs the Legends defense swiped from Baltimore quarterbacks. The Legends improve their record to 5-2 and remain firmly entrenched in second place in the North division. Baltimore remains winless at 0-5.

The week's big matchup took place in Concord, North Carolina where the streaking Carolina Speed entertained the previously undefeated Mississippi Mudcats. Carolina rode quarterback Aaron Leaks' seven touchdowns, five on the ground, and withstood a late comeback attempt, to hand the Mudcats'their first setback, 64-52. The win was the Speed's fifth straight victory and tightens the South division race, with Mississippi (8-1), Tallahassee (6-1), Lakeland (5- 1), and Carolina (6-2) vying for the top spot. Leak added a pair of touchdown throws to Brandon McDowell to aid the Speed cause. Defensively, the "Carolina Crush" defense picked off Mudcats' quarterback Tommy Jones four times to thwart Mississippi's hopes.

In other action, the Reading Express (7-1) continued their winning ways with a 55-33 victory over the Johnstown Riverhawks (3-5). The Express' Tom Stetzer threw for four touchdowns and 191 yards to lead the Reading attack. Shawn Foxworth was on the receiving end of two Stetzer scores, and racked up 103 yards in receptions. Kicker Eric Rockhold added three rouges and a 33 yard field goal as the Express solidified their spot atop the North division.

Meanwhile, Florence (SC) picked up their second win (2-5) of the year, earning a hard-fought 46-40 road victory over the winless Montgomery Bears (0-6). The Phantoms'Brian Scott enjoyed a strong game, rushing for two scores and throwing touchdowns to three different Florence receivers. Scott completed 18 of 27 passes for 228 yards. Despite the loss, Montgomery had some offensive highlights. Shaun Holmes returned a kickoff 50 yards for a score and Tyvon Green threw for four touchdowns.

The "Walter Mitty" story of the week took place in Erie, Pennsylvania where the Freeze played host to the Huntington (WV) Heroes. 35 year old Dane Damron, who had served as the Huntington quarterback coach, traded in his whistle for shoulder pads and a helmet, and promptly led the Heroes to a 45-44 decision over the homestanding Freeze (1-7). Damron enjoyed a banner night, throwing for five touchdowns and 247 yards on 22 of 34 passing. Gerald Clark and James Hawkins paced the Huntington receivers with 91 and 87 yards in receptions respectively. The Heroes' even their record at 4-4. Josh Lidell's two touchdown catches and J.R. Cipra's three field goals provided the offensive highlights for Erie.

Tallahassee, Pittsburgh, and Gulf Coast enjoyed byes and were idle this week.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from April 9, 2007


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