From the SIFL: FSM Fan Blog - Mudbugs-Swashbucklers III - One For The Ages
Posted on June 11, 2009
by
Not just Swashbucklers and Turfcats fans, but all fans of indoor football have been waiting patiently for the arrival of this upcoming Monday night. Austin (5-1) will travel to visit Louisiana (6-1) in a rematch of the Turfcats' upset victory over the Swashbucklers.
What fans do not realize is that this past Saturday one of the greatest indoor football games was played in Lafayette. Be ashamed if you missed it, because those fans that were in attendance saw a second half that will go down as one of the best defensive battles in indoor football history.
Only seven points were scored on the first possession of the second half and then the doors slammed shut by both the Swashbucklers and the Mudbugs defenses. The final half was so exciting with both teams offenses clawing for each yard and marching ever so methodically down the field only to have a forced fumble or interception halt the drive. The last half also had three turnovers on downs as fourth and one became the other team’s ball.
The final drive saw the Mudbugs on the Swashbucklers three yard line before a huge sack on Bo Bartik backed the Mudbugs to the Swashbucklers eight to force a fourth and goal. The next play was a called pass by Bartik, but the receivers were all covered and he felt the pressure from John Paul Jones and company, a split opening up the middle and Bartik decided to run, and run he did, breaking one tackle to the one yard line, a stretch of his arms would surely score……but the ball was three inches short of a lead changing touchdown with less than a minute to play. The Swashbucklers offense takes over with 55 seconds to play and the 27-21 lead.
No sir, it is not over yet, the ball cannot be kneeled because the offense is in the end zone. One fumbled snap, one wrong hand off and this thing is a Mudbugs win. Swashbucklers quarterback Alvin Bartie inched barely out of the endzone on first down. The clock running 55 seconds off as if it were 10 minutes per second for Swashbucklers fans. The second play was a kneel backing them back to the inch line again. The third a quarterback sneak off the side of one of the Swashbucklers lineman and the Swashbucklers escape Acadiana with a win.
Now, I promise in my grandest of attempts I could not explain in this paragraph the excitement in Blackham Coliseum of the final two minutes or so. This is what indoor football is all about. So when I explain to you that kneeling a ball game away that was so great to watch is a pure letdown ... then you probably would agree with me.
Well that was exactly what happened in Austin in week four. A Swashbucklers score brought the game within three before a failed onside kick gave the Turfcats a kneel down victory after one of the most exciting five minutes in this year. How disappointing for fans.
Yes, I know I am involved with the Bucs and the league, but could you imagine your team behind by three before a Swashbucklers kneel down? In Acadiana because of the end zone and how close the line of scrimmage was to the goal, positive yardage had to be gained because of the playing field. Usually in indoor football within the final minute of play, you had to gain positive yardage. In the inaugural season of the SIFL, however, the rule was changed. After discussing it several times with most of the front office, this rule will more than likely be changed back to the original “positive yardage” rule which will take away kneeling a ball game away. I understand being up by a huge amount of points and kneeling for players’ safety but in tight games, after great football it just seems to be a letdown. It is kind of like watching the home run derby followed by a bunting contest. You are always looking for that next homerun.
I guess in conclusion one of the biggest games of the year will be played Monday night in Louisiana, but this past Saturday was a great one to watch as well. I expect the Swashbucklers to be ready this Monday. I hope to see another exciting finish.
Scott Blanchard is Director of Creative Services for the Southern Indoor Football League. His weekly blog will run each Thursday on www.southernifl.com.
