Down 10 at the half the Panthers made a whirl of a second half comeback to beat the Columbus Lions 75-61 in Columbus, winning its first Eastern Conference title in franchise history. Cecil Lester hooked up on touchdown passes to Antwontis Cutts and Clinton Rafe in the 1st half but a Gerald McCoy pass to Anthony Merrit gave the Lions the 30-20 lead going into the locker room.
In the 3rd quarter, Lester and John Harris connected on back to back scores. The game was tied 4 times in the second half. The Panthers turned the tide with another Lester and Harris connection with 2:08 left in the game giving Albany the 61-54 lead. The Panthers then scored two defensive touchdowns and the game was sealed, 75-61 was the final.
The Panthers now await the winner of the Houston Stallionvs. Louisiana Swashbucklers game to be played on Monday. A Houston win will have the Panthers traveling to Texas next weekend for the SIFL championship game. A Louisiana win will have the Panthers playing host to its first indoor football championship of any kind.
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