Wildcatters Open Playoffs in Columbus
The Lafayette Wildcatters travel to the Columbus Lions to open the Southern Indoor Football League playoffs on Thursday, July 8, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. central time. The two teams met on Saturday, June 19th at the Cajundome with the Lions winning 58-55.
In the Catters last two games they have fallen behind by 21 and 20 points respectively. A slow start this week might lead to the end of the Catters season. Coach Skip Foster commented, “No doubt. We have worked on some things to help us get off to a better start.” When the two teams met on the 19th the Lions opened up a 33-12 lead in the first half . A furious rally by the Wildcatters fell just short as a missed 53 yard field goal as time expired left the Wildcatters trailing by 3 points. The contest featured a career night by Lions wide receiver Lonnel Dewalt. On the night Dewalt had 10 catches for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns. Coach Foster hopes the return of middle safety Clarence Pendleton will help the Wildcatters slow Dewalt down on Thursday night. “They did some nice things scheme wise in that game. We have made some adjustments and hope having Clarence back at middle safety will help us slow them down. They have two other very good receivers in Morris and Gales, so we have our work cut out for us.”
Lions quarterback Chris McCoy was named first team all SIFL on Tuesday and brings an added dimension of being able to run the football to the game. In the contest on the 19th McCoy rushed the football 12 times for 46 yards. The Lions used a jumbo formation to assist in the running game using offensive lineman Tim Johnson, 6-10, 370 pounds, as a fullback to clear a path for McCoy.
The Wildcatters will hope to counter Columbus with their quick passing game that features all SIFL wide receiver Clyde “The Glide” Edwards. On the 19th Edwards had his own career game with 10 catches for 132 yards and 3 touchdowns. Another advantage the Wildcatters hope to exploit is the kick return game, where the Wildcatters boast all SIFL first team return man Jasper O’Quinn. The last time these teams met O’Quinn had 3 returns for 92 yards. Catter defensive lineman, Eric “Big Cat” Phillips was also named all SIFL first team.
The winner of this game will face the winner of the Louisiana Swashbucklers versus the Albany Panthers on Saturday, July 17th for the SIFL Championship.
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