LAKE CHARLES, LA - The Louisiana Swashbucklers season for 2012 ended when a last second attempt to score failed against the Richmond Raiders. The scoreboard read 56-50 when all was said and done. The team traveled to Richmond as the third seed in the playoffs. Richmond moves on to face the Albany Panthers for the championship of the Professional Indoor Football League. Albany defeated the Columbus Lions 60-36 in the other semi-final game. The championship will be played in Albany on Saturday, June 30th. The Bucs season record ends at 6-7.
The Raiders scored twice before the Bucs were able to put points on the board. Though the halftime score was 34-23 Richmond, Louisiana continued to battle back. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Swashbucklers quarterback Alvin Bartie found wide receiver Jordan Rideaux in the end zone. Now the score was 56-43 Richmond.
The Raiders were able to chew up more time as the clock ticked down to the end. However, the Bucs got back on offense with 44 seconds remaining. Bartie connected again to Rideaux. The pass was a 45 yard bomb downfield. With the score now 56-50 Raiders, Louisiana attempted an onside kick but unsuccessful. The Swashbucklers defense held and went back to work on offense with 20 seconds remaining.
The Bucs were unable to score in the final seconds. When time ran out in regulation, Raiders defensive back Maurice Thorne intercepted a pass from Bartie. Thorne ran it into the end zone for a score. But, that interception was nullified on a penalty against Richmond. Louisiana got one final chance with no time remaining. Bartie’s pass fell incomplete in the end zone, securing the win for Richmond.
As before, penalties hurt the Swashbucklers. The Bucs were flagged 13 times for 68 yards. Bartie took over for starter Chris Mayabb, who suffered a hand injury in the game. Mayabb, before leaving the game, had 15 completions out of 31 attempts. He had no interceptions and two touchdowns. Bartie was seven for 12 for 105 yards. Bartie also threw two TD passes and was not intercepted. Running back Kendrick Perry had two carries for eight yards. Among the receivers, Rideaux had 11 receptions for 104 yards and two scores, Immanuel Friddle was six for 76 and two touchdowns, and Sammy Knight was five for 50.
The Swashbucklers enter the off season to prepare for another exciting and action packed year in 2013. Season tickets are on sale now at very affordable prices. Don’t miss out on the great family friendly entertainment, and hard hitting indoor football action that is a trademark of the Swashbucklers.
For season tickets, contact the Bucs office at (337) 310-PASS (7277) or log onto the website at www.labucs.com.
For off season information on your Louisiana Swashbucklers, check the website for details.
