For the second time this season, the Florence Phantoms proved they could overcome a double-digit deficit on the road and hold on for a victory.
Just as it did in Fayetteville on April 13, Florence went into Columbus and overcame a 14-point first-half deficit Friday night.

Can you top this? That was the most frequently asked question during the first half Friday night as Florence’s Omar Jacobs and Erie’s Rod Rutherford looked to outdo each other on every possession.

FLORENCE — For the first time in their history, the Florence Phantoms enter a game sitting alone in first place in the American Indoor Football Association’s Eastern Division.

When Bennie King took the Florence Phantoms job in February, he wanted to build a team in his own image. The same image that brought Lakeland the American Indoor Football Association championship last June.

FLORENCE — After a 31-point thrashing of Florida last week on the road, Florence looked to do the same Saturday at the Florence Civic Center.

FLORENCE — On three different occasions this season, the Florence Phantoms have had a chance to go a game above .500. The Phantoms have failed all three times, including a 39-38 loss to Mississippi in which Florence blew a 17-point halftime lead.

All week, the Florence Phantoms prepared for Friday night’s rematch with American Indoor Football Association power Huntington and its brash coach Teddy Keaton.