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HOUMA — Amid an ownership change this week and uncertainty about the fate of their season, the Houma Conquerors will end their inaugural regular season with a game tonight in Houma against the Acadiana Mudbugs, the Southern Indoor Football League announced after a conference call on Friday.
The SIFL secured ownership of the franchise as of midnight Tuesday, when then-owner Franklin Thomas did not successfully get the team out of default status by paying bills the team owes, including league dues, membership fees and player salaries.
SIFL President Thom Hager said the decision was made to keep the game at 7 tonight at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center for the sake of the Conquerors’ loyal fans.
“There was lots of wisdom shared among the ownership group on the conference call,” Hager said. “We realized the very best thing we could do was have the game played in Houma. It wouldn’t have been good for the fans otherwise.”
<center><p><a href="http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090711/SPORTS20/907109830/1032?Title=Conquerors-will-play-tonight-at-home" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
Rachel Whittaker
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Hager said the Louisiana Sports and Entertainment Group, the marketing firm for the Conquerors, wanted to do whatever was necessary to ensure the game would be played despite the numerous distractions that arose in the past week.
Travis Carrell, one leader of the Louisiana Sports and Entertainment Group, said the verdict was a huge benefit for the Conquerors players as well.
“These boys are ready to come out and play their tails off,” Carrell said. “They are focused and just want to play the game and play for the people.”
Thomas said in an interview with The Courier and Daily Comet that he had until July 24 to get the team out of default, 30 days after he received notice.
Hager confirmed, however, that a provision in Thomas’ contract said he had 15 days to “get right with the default,” and that deadline was Tuesday.
Hager said he has spoken directly only to Thomas’ attorney, and he said both sides were trying fervently to reach an agreement.
“(Thomas’ attorney) saw what the league was trying to do, and there have been no disparaging remarks about anybody,” Hager said. “We would give Franklin the benefit of the doubt to get this right. Legal counsel is all over this, and we feel sure we’ll have a good outcome.”
The Conquerors (2-8) have a chance to clinch the No. 4 seed in the SIFL playoffs with a win against Acadiana (6-4). They also have to hope the Texas Hurricanes (1-8) lose to the Austin Turfcats (8-2) tonight.
The Conquerors lost to the Mudbugs twice this season by scores of 31-23 and 35-33.
Interim head coach C.J. Maiden said the team has attempted to block out the off-the-field issues in preparation for the final game, and he said he senses a crucial energy among his players.
“We have enough obstacles just trying to win the game,” Maiden said. “Getting in the playoffs would be a big thing for the community. Starting off the way we started off, for the team to make the playoffs would be like a new day.”
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