By: Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

LAKE CHARLES, LA (JULY 13, 2010) – This past weekend in the first round of Southern Indoor Football League action, the league handed out some awards to a few distinguished individuals honoring them for their success on the field for the 2010 season. 

Despite only landing 2nd Team All-SIFL, Albany Panthers quarterback Cecil Lester (6’1 220, Fort Valley State) got an even bigger prize landing the SIFL’s MVP Award for the 2010 season.  Perfect example of Lester’s value was more evident when the club had to do without him due to injury for a two-week stretch in May.  In initial game without Lester the Panthers barely won and in the second one the club suffered their first loss of the season.  Cecil appeared in the most plays of anyone player in the SIFL this season (330) and was on top of many passing categories including averaging 237 yards/game leading Albany to the best regular season record.   

Next three 2010 awards were a clean sweep for the Columbus Lions franchise with Offensive MVP Chris McCoy (5’11 195, Navy), Defensive MVP Damian Daniels (5’10 185 West Georgia), and Special Teams MVP Trey Crum (5’6 170, Delta State).  McCoy finished the season tops in both passing yards (2247) along with boasting the best passing percentage (105.7).  For Daniels, 2010 marks the third Defensive MVP award on his mantle and even rare feat considering he has done so in three different leagues (WIFL-2007, AIFA-2009).  Damian recorded league high 14 interceptions along with team-high 33.5 tackles.  Trey was the only SIFL kicker to record double-digits in field goals made (14), finished one behind the league-leader in uno’s (21) along with leading all kickers in points (136).

Landing Franchise and Coach of the Year belongs to the Regular Season Champion Albany Panthers and head coach Lucious Davis.  After an on-again, off again relationship as to whether the organization was going to even play, two months into the season it all became official with the hiring of head coach Lucious Davis.  As they may say the rest is history as Davis led the Panthers to a 8-3 record and the overall number one seed in the SIFL playoffs.  After being one of the premier arena sports towns, ownership group led by Rod Chappell brought in some familiar faces like general manager Will Carter to assemble a winning franchise and did so in just two months.

Other leagues awards include: For best in Game Presentation Louisiana Swashbucklers, Best Cheerleader/Dance Team Lafayette Wildcatters, Mascot of the Year belongs to the Lafayette Wildcatters, and Best in Football Operations award goes to the Columbus Lions.

To follow this years 2010 SIFL Championship Game between the Louisiana Swashbucklers (6-6) and the Columbus Lions (9-3) with a confirmed kickoff for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday July 18th, stay tuned to www.southernifl.com for more details.