Horsemen break NIFL scoring record
June 29, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen (9-4) qualified for the 2004 NIFL playoffs on Saturday with a record-shattering 116-18 victory over the visiting Waco Marshals. The Horsemen were never threatened in the game, which put them on the brink of wrapping up the third seed in the Atlantic Conference playoffs. The Horsemen's 116 points sets a new NIFL scoring record, breaking the record of 111 set by the Tupelo Fire Ants earlier in the year. Lexington capitalized on 12 Waco turnovers (also a league record) to put the game away early, jumping out to a 26-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, and a 68-6 halftime lead.
The Horsemen offense saw less action than normal on the day, but was impressive when it was on the field. QB Dusty Bonner finished the day 10 of 12 for 184 yards and six touchdowns, while reserve QB Eddie Eviston was 3 for 4 with two more touchdowns in a quarter's worth of work. RB Derek Homer led all rushers with 88 yards on eight carries, including a Horsemen-record 39-yard dash in the second quarter, and pulled in a 32-yard touchdown catch. He also scored two rushing touchdowns on the night. RB Derrick White added 30 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. WR Harry Lewis led all receivers in the game with 83 yards receiving, including a spectacular 38-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter (one of three Lewis receiving touchdowns in the game). Chad Spencer and Dougie Allen each added two touchdown catches in the rout.
Defensively, the Horsemen were led by an incredible day from DB William Mulder, who had an NIFL-record five interceptions in the game, three of which he returned for touchdowns (also an NIFL record). Mulder also forced a fumble and recorded four solo tackles in the game. DBs Champ Kelly and Nate Green also picked off passes in the game, and Jermaine Bradfield, Gordon Crowe, LaShawn Pugh, and Shan Housekeeper all recovered fumbles for the defense. Bradfield and Crowe each returned their fumble recoveries for touchdowns, as the Horsemen defense accounted for an astounding 30 points on the night. DB Tayo Agboke led all tacklers with 7.0 total stops in the game.
On special teams, K Justin Hutton set an NIFL record by hitting 14 of 17 extra-point attempts, and Champ Kelly returned a kickoff 44 yards for a touchdown, his first kick return score of the year.
HORSEMEN PLAYOFF PICTURE
With the win, the Horsemen have clinched a spot in the playoffs, and are the only team remaining with four losses. A victory on Friday will assure Lexington of the number three seed in the Atlantic conference playoffs, and a home game in the first round of the postseason. The current standings:
Houma 11-2 (clinched playoff berth)
Ohio Valley 11-3 (clinched playoff berth)
Lexington 9-4 (clinched playoff berth)
Show Me 9-5 (clinched playoff berth)
Atlantic City 8-5
Fort Wayne 8-6 (clinched playoff berth)
Tupelo 7-6
Beaumont 7-6
The top six teams in the conference will get in the playoffs. For full playoff information, go to http://www.nationalindoorfootballleague.net/playoff_standings.htm.
HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS
Several Horsemen are among the league's statistical leaders this season. Dusty Bonner leads the NIFL in passing touchdowns, with 65, and pass rating, with a 108.3 figure. He is also third in passing yards per game (182.0) and fourth in total offense (2,428 yards). WR Dougie Allen continues to pile up the all-purpose yards, and is currently third in the NIFL with 1,942 total all-purpose yards on the year. Allen is also tenth in kick return average at 21.5 yards per return. RB Martez Johnson is currently ninth in the league in rushing yards, with 523 on the year, and is fifth in kick return average, at 22.8 per return. WR Chad Spencer's 24 TD catches is tied for second in the league.
K Justin Hutton is currently leading all kickers in PAT kicking, having made 85 of 96 attempts for an 88.5 percentage on the season, and is sixth among kickers in scoring, with 106 points.
Defensively, DBs Nate Green and William Mulder are tied for second in interceptions, with eight apiece. Mulder and DL Sylvester Peoples are tied for second in fumbles forced, with three each. Peoples is also fourth in sacks, with 9.0 on the season, and is seventh in tackles for loss, with 14.5.
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES
Red White and Blue Bowl festivities throughout the afternoon on Friday; final regular season game against Staten Island at 7:30 in Rupp
This week's game has been dubbed the Red White & Blue Bowl and will feature a number of fun activities and contests before during and after the game, highlighted by a flag football game between teams from the police and fire departments at halftime.
All lower arena tickets for the game are on sale for the special price of $10, and can be purchased by calling 859-233-3535. Rupp Arena concessions will also be selling beer and hot dogs at the special price of $1 each throughout the game. The game is likely to have postseason implications for the Horsemen, who are right in the thick of the playoff race as the regular season winds down. The Red, White & Blue Bowl, sponsored by the Lexington Herald-Leader, will feature a number of activities, contests, and giveaways before, during and after the game. The schedule for July 2 is as follows:
6:00 PM â A "Meet ân' Greet" with the Fillies, Spike, the PowerAde Posse, and Spanky the horse on the Rupp Arena Plaza.
6:30 PM â Games on the Rupp Arena Plaza, including a hula-hoop contest, horse shoes, and a watermelon-eating contest. There will also be a corn-hole tournament for fans 21 and over, sponsored by Avio and Fanz First.
7:00 PM â Most Patriotic Fan Contest â the fan who is selected as the most patriotic will win a Horsemen Prize Pack. Fans who want to enter the contest can do so on the Rupp Arena Plaza.
7:30 PM â Kickoff of the Red, White & Blue Bowl. There will be numerous special prizes and contests during the game, as well as $1 draft beer and $1 hot dogs.
Halftime of the game â Lexington Police Department vs. Lexington Fire Department Flag Football Showdown.
After the game â A post-game party at Avio Nightclub. Fans presenting ticket stubs will be admitted with no cover charge.
The Horsemen game against Atlantic City will be broadcast live at 7:30 PM EST on WLAP 630-AM. Ryan Lemond and Jeff Gilstrap will have the call.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 29, 2004
- Horsemen break NIFL scoring record - Kentucky Horsemen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
