The Lafayette Wildcatters and Louisiana Swashbucklers renew their interstate 10 rivalry Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. on the “Rig Floor” in the Cajundome. On May 1st the two teams played the only overtime game of the year in an instant classic that resulted in a 59-52 Wildcatter win.
A lot has changed for both teams in the last 5 weeks. After the May 1st game the Swashbucklers fired head coach Shadrick McAfee and promoted defensive coordinator Michael Warren to head coach. The biggest move for the Swashbucklers however was bringing former head coach Darnell Lee back as the offensive coordinator. Several former Swashbucklers have found there way back to Lake Charles including 2009 SIFL President’s Cup MVP defensive lineman Bryant Mason; along with former starting quarterback Freddie Harrison, who has started the last two games for the Swashbucklers. Harrison’s two starts have resulted in wins over Albany, 67-43, and Columbus 51-31. Lafayette Wildcatter head coach Skip Foster noticed the change in the Swashbucklers offensive schemes, “they do some different things now and do a good job at it. They are running the ball much more effectively and that will present a much different challenge to our defense.”
The Wildcatters have not remained status quo either, as they changed their starting quarterback to Juan Joseph, 39 of 56 for 413 yards and 12 touchdowns the last two games. Joseph has lead the Wildcatters to an offensive explosion in beating the North Texas Crunch 81-17, and the Greenville Force 90-19. Coach Foster likes what he has seen out of Joseph, “Juan has done a nice job for us. He is progressing well; however, this will be his biggest challenge. The Swashbucklers do a very good job of getting after the quarterback. Our offensive line is going to have to do a good job in protecting Juan.” Joseph’s two favorite targets have been Clyde Edwards, who has 16 catches for 209 yards and 6 touchdowns in the last two games; while Tim Richmond has 12 catches for 106 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Foster realizes the importance of this game, “this game has playoff implications for both teams. We are trying to win the season series versus the Swashbucklers and position ourselves as best as possible for the playoffs.”
Tickets are available at the Cajundome box office. After Saturday night the Wildcatters have only two more home games before closing their season on the road versus the Swashbucklers.
Lafayette Wildcatters Press