By: Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

LAKE CHARLES, LA (JUNE 27, 2010) – On Saturday, the Lafayette Wildcatters (6-5) of the Southern Indoor Football League overcame a twenty point fourth quarter deficit to defeat their “I-10” rivals the Louisiana Swashbucklers (5-6) 31-30 ending the Bucs 33-game home winning streak.

The game started with a bang when on the very first play from scrimmage Louisiana quarterback Freddie Harrison connected on a 34-yard strike to receiver Damian Henderson.  Following that first play, both clubs struggling for majority of the first half combining to miss four field goals while committing three turnovers. 

Despite the lack of production, Louisiana appeared to be in control when kicker Blake Bercegeay nailed a 39-yard field goal putting the Bucs up by 17 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter.  On the ensuing drive, although they gained 11 yards on the possession, Lafayette managed to put three points on the board when kicker Sean Comiskey hit a 35-yard field to close the half.

Beginning with the opening drive of the third period, Lafayette finally began putting a drive together and capped it off when leading receiver Clyde Edwards hooked up with quarterback Juan Joseph on a fourth down play from the one-yard line.  After ripping through the Bucs in their June 6th match-up, Joseph’s numbers took hit Saturday only completing 14 of 33 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Not to be outdone, Louisiana answered back on their opening drive of the half when Harrison hit fullback Kendrick Perry on a 30-yard slip screen and hit pay dirt into the end zone putting the Bucs 24-10.  Not even a minute later, the Black and Purple Gang came up with their third turnover of the game when defensive back Brandon Thomas picked off Joseph.  Harrison would turn Thomas interception into another Louisiana touchdown, this time hooking up with offensive lineman Kevin Thomas on a five-yard pass to go up 30-10.

Appearing to be headed towards there 34th consecutive home win, up by twenty the Swashbucklers had full momentum entering the fourth.  But this Lafayette has shown resiliency throughout the season, already proving they could make a comeback of this magnitude after having done so in the clubs first meeting back on May 1st.

Lafayette rallied off a 10 play opening fourth quarter drive that featured to fourth down conversions, one due to a goal-line pass interference call on Bucs defensive back Sammy Knight.  Two plays later, Joseph ran it in from two-yards out getting the Catters within 13.  Lafayette’s offense would not have long to wait as Louisiana failed to record a first down on the ensuing drive.  This time, Juan made haste hooking up with receiver Tim Richmond for a 29-yard touchdown pass. 

Currently only up by six, Louisiana began feeling the pressure and it showed on their next drive when on third down Wildcatters defensive lineman sacked and forced a fumble on Harrison recovering it in the end zone for Lafayette’s third consecutive touchdown.  Kicker Sean Comiskey broke the tie when he nailed the impending extra point putting the Catters up 31-30.

After leading for the entirety of the game, the Swashbucklers had now found themselves down by one with four minutes remaining.  Once again the offense failed to get one first down and were left with trying a 54-yard field goal attempt that fell short. 

Now with the chance to ice them game, Lafayette’s next drive began with 1:12 on the clock but after only gain nine yards of offense featuring two plays that featured no gains, the Catters could only run: 40 seconds off and were forced to attempt a 50-yard field goal.

With just: 15 seconds remaining, Comiskey’s try was blocked by Louisiana and recovered at the Lafayette seven-yard line.  After three Harrison incomplete passes, the Swashbucklers turned it over to kicker Blake Bercegeay for a 20-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide right giving Lafayette the come from behind victory.

By virtue of their win, the Wildcatters end the 2010 regular season as the third overall seed and will take on the Columbus Lions (8-3) in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday July 8th.  Louisiana’s loss puts them below .500 for the fourth time and if the Bucs are to defend their title they will have to do so via the road, unfortunately this season the road has been unkind for the club going 0-6.  The Swashbucklers will begin their playoff journey on Saturday July 10th at the Regular Season Champion Albany Panthers (8-3).

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