September 23, 2009 8:56 AM
Special to the Press Gazette
The Pensacola Lightning knocked of the countries No. 2 ranked team Saturday night at Pensacola High School, with a 17-14 win over the Birmingham Wildfire.
Pensacola went on the attack early to take a 10-0 by halftime in a hard hitting contest as they looked to avenge a 30-3 loss back on Aug. 1 in Birmingham.
But they needed a late drive to ice the game after allowing the Wildfire to take a 14-10 lead.
The winning drive covered 62 yards on nine plays as DeMarcus Blount rumbled five yards for the winning score with 2:24 left on the clock.
Don Rich put the Lightning on the board first with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kelly Smith.
Later in the first half, Jacob Matlock kicked a 42 yard field goal to make it a 10-0 lead for the Lightning.
Pensacola finished the regular season at 9-1 and will host the Louisiana Storm in the first round of the LCFL playoffs next Saturday at Pensacola High School.
In two meetings this season have defeated the Storm 20-12 in Louisiana back on Aug. 15, and 35-6 at home back on June 27.