Heroics by Lakeland\'s Peeples, Johnson, Kratz Fall Short
April 30, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Lakeland ThunderBolts News Release
DAYTON, Ohio â Quarterback Steve Bellisari overcame the heroics of Lakeland's quarterback Michael Peeples and kicker Steve Kratz and the Dayton Warbirds pulled out a 59-52 overtime win over the ThunderBolts Friday night in a National Indoor Football League game at the E.J. Nutter Center.
The Warbirds (3-2), in front of a "Buckeye Night" crowd, had to fend off Lakeland's Tavarius Johnson, who had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and three receiving scores, and did not lead until 1:54 was left in the game.
Peeples, getting his NIFL baptism after the league's total offensive leader Jeremy Martin sat out with a leg contusion, had four touchdown passes, but it was Kratz who connected on four of five field goals.
Lakeland (2-5) came into the game "on crutches" and had lost three in a row. Call it gallant, but the ThunderBolts led for 51:52 of the game, let Dayton tie the game at 46 and then held a 49-46 lead for another 6:14.
In overtime, Dayton took the ball on the 25 and after Pepe Pearson 's 6-yard run, Bellisari connected with BJ Lovett for 19 yards. Justin McClain converted the extra point kick and the Warbirds led, 59-52, for only the second time in the contest.
After Nunnie Booker's 3-yard run, Peeples had the ball forced out of hands on the next play by Dayton's Brandon Tisdale, who also recovered the ball to end the game.
Lakeland surprised Dayton with an early 16-0 lead and a Peeples to Johnson 12-yard hookup gave the âBolts a 29-13 halftime margin.
Johnson, who rooms with Peeples on the road, was spectacular and his 50-yard kick off return and another 37-yard field goal by Kratz gave Lakeland a 39-25 margin with 6:20 left in the third quarter.
Bellisari connected with Lovett for 18 yards and Dayton closed the gap to 39-32, but Raymond Hardy's fumble on the ThunderBolts possession gave the ball back to the âBirds.
Maurice Lee recovered the ball on the Lakeland 6 yard line and three plays later Belisari took the ball across for his first of two rushing touchdowns. McClain's extra boot tied the game 39-all with 3:11 remaining in the third.
Defensive back Arden Banks, who resigned by the team, intercepted Peeples with 4:48 left in the fourth. Six plays later Bellisari hit Pearson for 16 yards and Dayton had a 52-49 lead, its first of the game.
Johnson had a 16-yard kick return on the ensuing kick off, but unable to move the ball, Kratz settled for his longest field goal of the night, a 45-yarder with 1:01 left in the game. That tied the game at 52-all.
Keith Brooks returned the kickoff 22 yards, and six plays later McClain missed a 23-yard field goal wide right with 11 seconds left.
Lakeland had the ball on its five-yard line with time left and Peeples got a pass to Jason Krupinski for nine yards, but Kratz' 53 yard attempt as time ran out in regulation was no good.
Peeples ended his NIFL debut connecting on 17 of 29 (.586) for 191 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson had five catches for 79 yards and three touchdowns, but also had the two kickoff returns for 45 and 50 yards for scores.
For Dayton, Bellisari was 14-27 (.519), 195 yards and six touchdowns. He also had a game-high 20 carries for 106 yards and two TDs. Lovett ended with five catches and three TDs and 81 yards.
The Warbirds' Lee had two receiving touchdowns and 68 yards.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 30, 2005
- Coach Siani is on the Airwaves and on your Television - Fayetteville Guard
- Calvary's 31-point second quarter charge too much for Kreatures, 52-32 - Kissimmee Kreatures
- Heroics by Lakeland's Peeples, Johnson, Kratz Fall Short - Lakeland ThunderBolts
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