LAKELAND – The Florida Tarpons secured a home playoff game and completed the regular season sweep over the Lakeland Raiders with the 57 – 42 victory Monday at the Lakeland Center.  Tarpons quarterback Chris Wallace threw for five touchdowns and running back Steven Turner ran for two more.  Florida kicker Ross Gornall added the icing to the cake by with three UNOs on the game.

The game was tight throughout the first half, with the Tarpons jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, but the Raiders fought back and the half ended in a close 21-20 contest.  The momentum quickly swung in the Tarpons direction with the start of the second half when the Raiders’ first three drives ended in an interception and two fumbles.  By early in the fourth quarter the Tarpons held a three-touchdown advantage.  All told, the Tarpons capitalized on mistakes by the Raiders offense to the tune of four interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Both teams demonstrated an ability to make big plays, including a blocked kick by Raiders’ defensive back Lance Small Jr. and an unbelievable one-handed, over-the-wall TD catch by receiver Roderick Jefferson.

With the victory, the Tarpons improve their Southern Conference leading record to a perfect 8-0, while Lakeland drops to third place at 4-4.

FT. MYERS, FL

It was a final step was necessary after the organization cancelled its second straight game without consulting the league. The ownership has stopped communicating with the league.

“We acknowledge that the 2012 season hasn’t been what we expected when we kicked off in March,” said league commissioner Jared Lorenzen. “We have worked diligently throughout the season to maintain the UIFL standards that were established last season, and that we plan on returning to in 2013.”

The result of the Johnstown suspension leads to the cancellation of the June 2 contest with Erie, and sets the field for the North division. Cincinnati, Erie and Marion will spend the final four weeks of the season fighting for playoff seeding.

The Palm Beach Phantoms will replace the Sting for its two games in the Sunshine State; June 2^nd at Lakeland and June 9^th at Florida. The Phantoms, who are currently participating in an eight-man outdoor league, are applying for inclusion in the 2013 UIFL season.

Florida Tarpons' Josh Long and E.J. Whitley will be participating in NFL rookie minicamps this week.

FT. MYERS, FL – When the NFL rookie camps kick off this weekend, the UIFL will have a presence on several fields across the league as four players have been invited to the NFL.

This marks the first time in UIFL history that a player has participated in a NFL camp after a stint in the UIFL. All four players were members of the Florida Tarpons at the time of the call up to the National Football League.

Defensive back E.J. Whitley (New York Giants) was a recent acquisition of the Tarpons, playing in two games with four tackles and two interceptions. Receiver Dwayne Frampton is also headed to the Big Apple, as he was invited by the New York Jets. Frampton played in one game, at defensive back, for the Tarpons.

Originally a member of the Lakeland Raiders, Josh Long was traded back to his hometown Tarpons – where he played in two games. Long, who is headed to the San Diego Chargers, had nine tackles and 3.5 sacks in his three UIFL games.

Finally, defensive back Willie Williams is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams was on the Tarpons’ 23-man roster last week, but wasn’t activated.

The Florida Tarpons are one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the UIFL, and has already clinched a playoff berth.

Adam Froman- 6’4″- 220- QB

Clifton Nichols- 6’4″- 350- OL

Michael Ford- 6’0″- 230- RB/WR

Darius Ross- 6’3″- 300- OL/DL

Lance Small Jr.- 5’11″- 215 – DB/LB

Henry Hamilton- 6’2″- 300- OL/DL

Peejay Jack- 6’3″- 245- QB

Tom Babley- 6’2″- 270- OL/DL

George Allen- 6’0″- 245- LB

Brent Clayton- 6’2″- 330- OL/DL

Dakia Howard- DL- Released

Dave Beale- OL- Released

DeAngelo Woodie-DB-  Released

Ricky Carlson- DB- Released

Adrian Smith- WR- Released

Myqual Spann- OL/DL- Released

Dimecus Brown- 6’7″- 360- OL/DL- Fort Hayes State

Florida’s Ross Gornall tallied seven points, including an UNO, to bring home the south’s special teams award for the sixth time in seven weeks.

FT. MYERS, FL – The UIFL is announcing the weekly honors for the week ending May 7, 2012.

Erie receiver Willie Idlette and Florida receiver Wilfred Rivera earns the Conquest Cards Offensive Player of the Week honors. Idlette led the Explosion with seven catches for 134 yards and five touchdowns, while Rivera had five catches for 80 yards and four touchdowns in the Tarpons’ victory over Lakeland.

It is the third offensive award for Erie as quarterback A.J. McKenna earned the two previous, and the second offensive award for Florida.

Cincinnati cornerback Corry Stewart earns the All-Star PR Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Week honor after tying a UIFL record with four interceptions as the Commandos remained unbeaten. Florida linebacker Tavares Woodley earned the south’s honor by recovering two fumbles, taking one back for a touchdown, with an interception.

Stewart is the fourth Cincinnati player to earn the league’s defensive honors, while Woodley is the fourth Lakeland player to gain the south award.

For a second straight week, Cincinnati’s Kyenes Mincy has earned a weekly award from the league. This time it’s the Trophy Award Special Team Player of the Week after he scored the biggest touchdown of the game. His 37-yard kickoff return for a touchdown came immediately after Marion’s touchdown gave them an 11-point lead. It was Cincinnati’s largest deficit of the season.

Florida’s Ross Gornall tallied seven points, including an UNO, to bring home the south’s special teams award for the sixth time in seven weeks.

FT. MYERS, FL

“The cancelling of game is never an outcome that comes easy,” said UIFL commissioner Jared Lorenzen. “Both teams acknowledged the difficulties in not playing this game, but both agreed it was the best outcome for all involved.”

In lieu of the game not being played, season ticket holders for the Cincinnati Commandos will have the option for either a refund or an exchange.  The exchange can be good for a like seat, for either of the two remaining Commandos home games OR a potential home UIFL playoff game at the Cincinnati Gardens.  For tickets purchased online, an automatic refund will take place to your account.  For exchanges or refunds at the Cincinnati Gardens, please visit the box office during regular business hour; Monday – Friday, 10am – 5 pm.

This also causes changes in part of the playoff tiebreaker. Instead of total points allowed, the tiebreaker becomes your average points allowed. Neither team will be given a win or a loss for the game.