After a pair of defensive stops and a solid offensive start gave Frisco an early lead, the Odessa Roughnecks took over and ended the Thunder's season with a 67-33 decision in the opening round of the Intense Football League playoffs upon the seasoned surface of Benny Boyd Field.
Odessa (8-7) will face either Louisiana or Corpus Christi in the semifinals the weekend of July 19-21. Frisco's season ends at 6-9 after a 5-2 start.
Dennis Gile threw for 195 yards and five touchdowns as Odessa Roughnecks scored 36 unanswered points.
The Thunder took a 13-7 lead on Dixie Wooten's 1-yard keeper with 13:46 remaining in the second quarter. Wooten at one point completed seven straight passes, but faded late in the half as Odessa took a 28-13 halftime lead.
Odessa built its lead to 43-13 before Kevin Lenford's 50-yard interception return ended the Frisco scoring drought.
Lenford also scored on a 47-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter for Frisco, who at times had a linebacker at running back and two defensive backs at the wide receiver spots.
Don Robinson caught eight passes for 98 yards and three of Gile's touchdown passes for Odessa, whose defense registered eight sacks and four turnovers.
Wooten finished 11 of 18 for 149 yards and a touchdown to Marcus Stiggers (five catches, 70 yards) in addition to scoring a pair of touchdowns on 1-yard keepers. Chris Glenn had 22 yards rushing on five carries.
NOTEBOOK
BEST OFFENSE: The Frisco Thunder's best offense was its defense Saturday.
In addition to Kevin Lenford's 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, many of the offense's bright points came from defensive players going on both sides of the ball.
With running backs Ricky Madison and Antwuan Andrews unavailable, linebacker Chris Glenn served as the team's primary ball carrier. His first touch went for a nasty 9-yard gain as he finished with 22 yards before leaving the game with a fourth-quarter ACL injury.
Defensive back Marcus Stiggers started at wide receiver, but that's not much of a stretch since Stiggers played wide receiver for the University of Colorado. Stiggers caught the Thunder's first touchdown and finished with five catches for 70 yards.
Don McGee, another defensive back, has been seeing wide receiving time the past three games.
THAT'S THE TICKET: Kevin Lenford literally was worth the price of a ticket Saturday.
Lenford had to work Saturday and did not ride the team bus to Odessa Friday. Thunder owner Jake Reed purchased him a plane ticket that put the Thunder KR/DB into Midland International Airport an hour before the 7:11 kickoff.
Lenford scored two touchdowns on an interception and kickoff return.
ELITE: Despite the loss, Saturday's playoff game put the Thunder among Intense Football League teams who have made the post-season in every year of their existence. Odessa and Corpus Christi have qualified in all four IFL seasons while defending Louisiana is 3-for-3 since joining the league in 2006. Frisco was the first IFL expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in its inaugural 2007 season.
2009 SEASON TICKETS FOR SALE
The 2008 Frisco Thunder season has just finished, but it's not to early to start making plans for 2009.
Season ticket plans are now available as the Intense Football League team begins preparations for a third season in a renovated Dr Pepper StarCenter.
For as little as $70, fans can enjoy all seven Thunder home games with amenities such as four additional tickets to bring family and friends, discounts at area businesses and merchandise, and much, much more!
Those who pay in full by October 1 receive a replica home jersey.
"We're now fully focused on 2009,'' said Thunder owner Jake Reed. "We got through the difficult schedule of 2008; now it's time to show the IFL how Frisco and Collin County will support its football team."
To purchase tickets, call (972) 731-6968 or visit friscothunderifl.com
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