Post by 50yardfan on Apr 18, 2011 23:07:11 GMT -5
ALBANY, Ga -- The Hammers proved again Saturday why they have the worst pass defense in Southern Indoor Football League history.
In a little more than two and a half hours, Albany Panthers Cecil Lester ascended from a struggling quarterback to the king of Albany, Georgia.
And he used the Alabama defense as his stepladder.
With one of the best passing performances in Albany Panther history, Lester helped the Panthers resurrect their previously lifeless offense and once again expose the Alabama Hammers numerous holes and win 47-26.
Lester ended the day 26-of-43 passing for 332 yards and five touchdowns, while two Panther receivers caught passes for more than 100 yards.
The Panthers accounted for 335 yards of total offense against ALABAMA. Prior to Saturday, Albany ranked 9th in the league in total offense, averaging just 211.2 yards a game.
Lester, who’s previous season-high was 240 yards against the Columbus Lions, was only averaging a little more than 176 yards prior to Saturday.
“(Albany’s passing attack) changed the course of the game,” Alabama Coach Marty Hammond said. “They had some great looking wide receivers and we got mismatched on the receiving end. They did a great job doing what they needed to do.”
Along with Lester, wide receiver John Harris and receiver Antwontis Cutts each had equally impressive games against Alabama’s defense.
Harris caught nine passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Cutts had six catches for 104 yards and a score.
Fellow wide out Antwone Savage (six catches for 63 yards, two tds) and Clenton Rafe (three snags for 51 yards and a touchdown reception) also had their day in the sun against the Hammer secondary.
“I feel like it was a great game,” said receiver Antwone Savage. “We could have scored a little bit more — but (hey) we won the game and that’s (all) that counts right now.”
What makes Albany’s numbers even more notable is the relative ease in which they were achieved.
Seemingly, outmatched by the size of the Panther receivers, Alabama switched from a man-to-man coverage to a zone defense for most of the second half to help prevent the big play.
Lester only completed ten passes after halftime, but they went for an average of more than 24 yards a pass.
“They did a good job of keeping us off balance,” Alabama coach Hammonds said. “When they stretch the field, it gets us in a lot of one-on-one situations.”
According to the Alabama players, the Panthers’ passing success didn’t stem from any unexpected offensive game plan.
It was simply a matter of them wanting it more.
“I didn’t see anything really special that they were doing,” Hammer Defensive Back Travis Blanchard said. “We knew coming in that they were going to throw the ball around. We just didn’t have an answer.”
The pride of the Hammers’ once-heralded secondary has taken many hits this season, but it may be reeling more than ever this week.
“It’s very hard, but it’s something you have to deal with,” Blanchard said. “It’s always hard, especially when you know that you’re better than the other team.”
“It’s football. That’s the only thing I can say.”
Next up for the Panthers is a Saturday, April 23 showdown in Fayetteville, North Carolina versus the Force. Albany’s next home game will be on April 30 against the Central Division leading Richmond Raiders.
In a little more than two and a half hours, Albany Panthers Cecil Lester ascended from a struggling quarterback to the king of Albany, Georgia.
And he used the Alabama defense as his stepladder.
With one of the best passing performances in Albany Panther history, Lester helped the Panthers resurrect their previously lifeless offense and once again expose the Alabama Hammers numerous holes and win 47-26.
Lester ended the day 26-of-43 passing for 332 yards and five touchdowns, while two Panther receivers caught passes for more than 100 yards.
The Panthers accounted for 335 yards of total offense against ALABAMA. Prior to Saturday, Albany ranked 9th in the league in total offense, averaging just 211.2 yards a game.
Lester, who’s previous season-high was 240 yards against the Columbus Lions, was only averaging a little more than 176 yards prior to Saturday.
“(Albany’s passing attack) changed the course of the game,” Alabama Coach Marty Hammond said. “They had some great looking wide receivers and we got mismatched on the receiving end. They did a great job doing what they needed to do.”
Along with Lester, wide receiver John Harris and receiver Antwontis Cutts each had equally impressive games against Alabama’s defense.
Harris caught nine passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Cutts had six catches for 104 yards and a score.
Fellow wide out Antwone Savage (six catches for 63 yards, two tds) and Clenton Rafe (three snags for 51 yards and a touchdown reception) also had their day in the sun against the Hammer secondary.
“I feel like it was a great game,” said receiver Antwone Savage. “We could have scored a little bit more — but (hey) we won the game and that’s (all) that counts right now.”
What makes Albany’s numbers even more notable is the relative ease in which they were achieved.
Seemingly, outmatched by the size of the Panther receivers, Alabama switched from a man-to-man coverage to a zone defense for most of the second half to help prevent the big play.
Lester only completed ten passes after halftime, but they went for an average of more than 24 yards a pass.
“They did a good job of keeping us off balance,” Alabama coach Hammonds said. “When they stretch the field, it gets us in a lot of one-on-one situations.”
According to the Alabama players, the Panthers’ passing success didn’t stem from any unexpected offensive game plan.
It was simply a matter of them wanting it more.
“I didn’t see anything really special that they were doing,” Hammer Defensive Back Travis Blanchard said. “We knew coming in that they were going to throw the ball around. We just didn’t have an answer.”
The pride of the Hammers’ once-heralded secondary has taken many hits this season, but it may be reeling more than ever this week.
“It’s very hard, but it’s something you have to deal with,” Blanchard said. “It’s always hard, especially when you know that you’re better than the other team.”
“It’s football. That’s the only thing I can say.”
Next up for the Panthers is a Saturday, April 23 showdown in Fayetteville, North Carolina versus the Force. Albany’s next home game will be on April 30 against the Central Division leading Richmond Raiders.