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Guard Snaps Maulers Streak, 68-14

June 27, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release


(FAYETTEVILLE, NC) The Montgomery Maulers, had their three-game winning streak snapped Saturday night, when they were defeated 68-14, by the Fayetteville Guard. With the loss, the Maulers fell to 6-7, and make this Saturday's match-up against the Charleston SandSharks a must-win in order to make the 2006 National Indoor Football League (NIFL) Play-offs.

Prior, to Saturday's game, the Maulers were in a three-way tie with the Charleston SandSharks and the Florida Frenzy for the final play-off spot in the Atlantic Conference. The SandSharks defeated a replacement team that was filling in for the Frenzy, 68-0 on Saturday night. Use of a replacement team by NIFL rules, makes the Frenzy ineligible for the Play-offs, and heightens the importance of this Saturday's match-up between Montgomery and Charleston. Montgomery defeated the SandSharks 42-30, in their first meeting on June 12, in Montgomery.

The Maulers were held to 140 total offensive yards in Saturday's lost. Montgomery was averaging 260 offensive yards/game in the six games preceding Saturday's match-up in Fayetteville. Quarterback J.R. Richardson ( Alabama State University) entered Saturday's game ranked fourth in the NIFL in passing, averaging 143.5 yards/game. Richardson was held to 32-passing yards Saturday night and did not have a touchdown pass; it was the first game of the season that Richardson did not pass or run for a touchdown. The last game in which Richardson did not have a touchdown pass was on April 22, when the Maulers were defeated 56-20, in Katy, TX. Richardson did however, scramble for a one-yard touchdown run in that loss.

"Offensively we were able to run the ball effectively, but their pass rush and pass defense was dominating," said Maulers Head Coach Michael Mink. "You have to give Fayetteville credit...they did a good job of applying pressure. They are a very good and physical team...After we fell behind [in the second quarter] their deep passes and quick scores, we had to change our offensive game plan and were forced to throw the ball, in attempt to catch up," said Mink.

Maulers General Manager John Morris, received word that the Frenzy had used a replacement team at halftime of Saturday's game and elected to take many of his key players out, including Richardson. "Once I heard that the Frenzy was no longer eligible for play-offs and that the game against Fayetteville meant nothing, I wanted to give some guys a breather and give some other guys the opportunity to get some reps," said Mink.

Wide Receiver, Octavius "Gator" Day ( Gulf Coast) made his debut at the quarterback position Saturday night for the Maulers, relieving Richardson late in the third quarter. Day was 4-7 for 23 yards and had a fourth quarter 13-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Rollins (Miles College/Alabama State University). Rollins supplied the Maulers only offense of the night, scoring both of the Maulers touchdowns. His first score came midway through the second quarter, on a two yard run. Rollins followed the second quarter score by completing a two-point conversion. Rollins had combined for 121 rushing/receiving yards in the loss.

The Guard (13-1) averaged right around 58-points a game heading into Saturday's contest against Montgomery and maintained a comfortable lead throughout the entire game, leading 34-8 at half, and scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter, to take a 54-8 advantage heading into the final quarter of regulation.

The Guard tallied 322 total offensive yards in the win and was led by quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen ( University of Hawaii) who had six touchdown passes for 216 yards, and wide receiver Desse James ( Wake Forest) who had four touchdown scores and 190 yards receiving.

As far as the play-off future for the Maulers, Coach Mink said he is keeping the team's focus on this weekend's game against the SandSharks. "We ultimately control our own destiny," said Mink. "If we win this weekend [against Charleston], then we're in [the play-offs]; if we lose, our season is done...This is undoubtedly the biggest game of our season."

The Maulers will look to re-group this week and finish out their regular season this Saturday at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, SC versus the SandSharks. Saturday's game is a must-win for the Maulers and will determine if the Maulers will be participants in the NIFL 2006 Play-offs. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM.

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