Florence routs Florida for second time

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.
Different venue, same result.
Omar Jacobs fired six touchdown passes, three to A.J. Bennett, as the Phantoms routed Florida 59-18.
The win puts Florence (5-4) a game above .500 for the first time since last year’s season-opening rout of Carolina. Coupled with a Huntington loss to Erie, the Phantoms could wake up today with a share of first-place in the American Indoor Football Association’s Eastern Division.
Florence’s defense wasted no time opening up the scoring. Under a heavy rush by Leonard Moore, Florida’s A.J. Rogue dropped the ball at the 4-yard line. Cory Groover scooped up the gift on one hop and easily crossed the goal line.
Derek Scott increased the Florence lead to 8-0 when his kickoff split the uprights.
After a Derek Mintzer field goal cut the Phantoms’ lead to 8-3, Jacobs went to work. The former Bowling Green star connected twice with high-school teammate Bennett on a nine-play drive.
Jacobs’ second completion to Bennett was a 17-yard TD pass on a slant that gave Florence a 15-3 advantage heading into the second quarter.
The Phantoms added three more points on a 32-yarder from Smith for an 18-3 advantage with under eight minutes to go before halftime.
Rogue atoned for his first-quarter mistake by leading the Stingrays (0-9) on a seven-play drive. The Florida QB capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring pass to Richard Washington to chop the deficit to 18-11 after the kick.
Backed up at the Florence 3, Jacobs dialed up the Bennett once again for a big play. The Eastern Michigan standout broke a tackle and galloped the rest of the way for a 47-yard touchdown.
Scott’s PAT attempt was wide left, but the Phantoms led 24-11 with 36 seconds left before the break.
After a Larry Thompson interception and a pass interference call on Moe Hill, C.J. Washington powered into the end zone on a quick pitch as time expired to give Florence a 31-11 halftime lead.
Jacobs finished 20-of-29 for 189 yards and two interceptions. C.J. Washington finished with two scores, and Tres Moses added another.
Notes
n Barbara Spigner, who was part of the North Carolina ownership group that purchased the Phantoms from the league along with Keith Jordan, has become primary owner of the team.
The Fayetteville native is a retired healthcare specialist who owns several assisted-living facilities.
“Owning a professional football team is a new arena for me,” Spigner said. “This is going to be a challenge to promote good football and giving the community the kind of service it deserves. I am honored to have this challenge and I love this team.”
n Huntington’s recent staff defections have benefited the Phantoms. Florence signed center Junior Louissaint and defensive back Larry Thompson to the team during the Phantoms recent road trip.
Louissaint and Thompson were members of Lakeland’s AIFA-championship team last season. Thompson picked off a indoor-record 32 passes in 2007 for the Thunderbolts.
“These guys trusted me because we all spent time together in Lakeland,” Former Thunderbolts and current Florence general manager Bennie King said. “These moves have given us both the best offensive line and the best secondary in the league, in my opinion.”