More than 4,500 fans flocked to the Florence Civic Center Friday night to witness something that seemed unfathomable nine months ago. Once a team in total disarray, the Florence Phantoms faced Wyoming with not only an American Indoor Football Association title on the line —- but a shot at history as well.

Liberty is picked to win the Big South Conference title for a second straight season.

Steve Spurrier said he is putting together a film of plays that have cost South Carolina close games. The Gamecocks coach said he wants his team playing this season with the effort and intelligence it takes to win those games.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier gets his say at the Southeastern Conference preseason football meetings.

On Thursday, Florence coach Tavares Bowens and Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak stood side by side along the sidelines at an empty Florence Civic Center.
Tonight, the pair will be on opposite sidelines directing their teams as the Phantoms and Cavalry butt heads for the AIFA championship.

Cullen Harper set nearly two dozen school records in 2007, led Clemson to its first nine-win season in four years and begins this season as runaway choice for Atlantic Coast Conference preseason player of the year.

Last year at the Florence Civic Center, the Lakeland Thunderbolts captured the first American Indoor Football Association championship 54-49 behind four touchdowns passes from Aso Pogi.

During their nine-game winning streak, the Florence Phantoms have relied on a defense that has stymied opponents and an offense that can score at will.
While Omar Jacobs, A.J. Bennett and Larry Thompson have garnered headlines on both sides of the ball, there are several players who have been easily overlooked.

When the Florence Phantoms hit the field Friday night to take on Wyoming for the American Indoor Football Association championship, fans at the Florence Civic Center will see a group of players who have taken various, if not unconventional, routes to get to this point.

The Chesterfield football coach called two area restaurants recently to check the availability of feeding his team there. He was asked his name. The reply on the line’s other end wasn’t unusual. “Are you the same “

Steve Spurrier cleared up several items Thursday: He’s not leaving South Carolina, he’s not ceding his role as the Gamecocks’ chief strategist and he thinks he’s got a special, albeit untested, talent in junior quarterback Tommy Beecher.

South Carolina has their eye on three Pee Dee football players. Travis Small, Kinsman Thomas and John Coleman will take part in the Gamecocks camp tomorrow with hopes of luring in a scholarship offer.

A better name for West Florence’s stud Defensive End would be Best-man, or Great-man, or even VeryTalented-man.  Because goodman is just not good enough.  Recruting website Rivals.com has named Malliciah Goodman the number one recruit in the state. 

All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth doesn’t have the security of the long-term contract with the guaranteed money he wanted. What he does have is a one-year deal paying him $7.25 million and a season to make his case that he deserves what he’s asking.  The Tennessee Titans and Haynesworth failed to reach an agreement on an extension by Tuesday’s deadline for franchised players.

The Florence Phantoms have spent an entire season proving people wrong.