By: Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

LAFAYETTE, LA (JUNE 12, 2010) – The Albany Panthers (7-2) of the Southern Indoor Football League failed to clinch home-field advantage after becoming another victim in the Cajun Dome losing to the Lafayette Wildcatters (5-4) on Saturday night 48-46.

Coming out of the gates quick, Albany’s scored on a Juan Bongarra uno and capitalized on a Jermaine Collins interception when quarterback Cecil Lester hit Offensive Player of the Week Clenton Rafe for the games first touchdown giving the Panthers an early 8-0 lead. 

Following the interception, Lafayette quarterback Juan Joseph didn’t’ need long to regain his composure hooking up with Clevan White to get the Wildcatters on the board.  Since taking over the starting duties, Joseph has led the Wildcatters on a magical ride and Saturday night was no different.  Against the SIFL’s top ranked pass defense, he finished the night completing 20 of 31 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.

Midway through the second quarter, Lafayette gained its first lead thanks to a Kwame Jordan blocked field goal giving his club the ball at the Albany 10.  Joseph found Clyde Edwards in the end zone for the first of two hook-ups and coupled with a Sean Comiskey uno the Wildcatters took a 22-15 lead. 

Lafayette opened the 3rd quarter with a 29-22 lead and squashed Albany’s opening second half drive with an interception by Mitch Craft.  The Wildcatters capitalized on the Craft turnover when fullback Steven Korte ran it in from four-yards out, his first of two touchdowns, putting his club in front 36-22.  

 Heading into the final quarter the Catters skated out to a 41-22 lead and would spend the majority of the fourth defending the lead beginning with Panthers quarterback Cecil Lester finding Antwone Savage for a 21-yard touchdown reception.  Coupled with a Bongarra uno, the Panthers only found themselves down by 10 with 11 minutes remaining. 

The swarming Panthers defense smelled blood when the Joseph fumbled the ball back in the end zone only to luckily recover it and only allow Albany the safety.  On ensuing drive Albany’s Lester once again found Clenton Rafe, this time from eight yards out giving getting his club within one at 41-40.

Lafayette answered back with a quick drive that ended on Korte doing a spider-man impersonation touchdown run that saw him go sideways into the end zone giving Lafayette the 48-40 lead.  Using the final five minutes, Albany drove down the field setting up a potential game-tying drive and with: 30 left Lester lofted the ball into the sure hands of John Harris in the back of the end zone for the score. 

Needing two points to tie, Lafayette’s defense stood tall forcing Lester to throw a desperation pass that sailed through the back of the end zone.  The Catters recovered the ensuing on-side kick attempt to secure the 48-46 victory.

Riding the coattails of a four-game winning streak, next Saturday Lafayette will host the Columbus Lions (6-3) while the Panthers will try to clinch home-field next weekend when they travel to take on the Greenville Force (2-7).

For more information from around the Southern Indoor Football League, log on to www.southernifl.com.