Horsemen knock off Freedom in thriller
Published on April 13, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen remained unbeaten on Saturday by edging out the Fort Wayne Freedom 51-48, in a thriller that produced five second-half lead changes and a game-winning touchdown with three seconds to play in the game. Lexington WR Harry Lewis reeled in a 27-yard scoring pass from QB Dusty Bonner with :03 on the clock to propel the visiting Horsemen (3-0 overall, 3-0 division) to the series sweep over the Freedom (2-2, 2-2). Fort Wayne, trying to avenge their 49-21 loss to Lexington in Rupp Arena on March 27, took a 24-17 lead into halftime, boosted by two first-half scores from RB Rocky Harvey. The game then seesawed back and forth into the fourth quarter, when Lexington DB Nate Green picked off a pass and took it 15 yards for a touchdown to put the Horsemen ahead 44-41 with 2:49 to play. Fort Wayne responded with a drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown pass from Antoine Taylor to Adrian Reese with 15 seconds to play that gave the Freedom a 48-44 lead and virtually no time left. After the ensuing kickoff, however, Bonner was able to find Lewis for the game winning score with only :03 showing on the clock.
Bonner finished the day 20 of 30 with 170 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions on the day. Martez Johnson continued his steady play in the backfield with 42 yards rushing on 7 carries, and also caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Bonner in the third quarter. Harry Lewis led Horsemen receivers for the second week in a row with 6 catches for 45 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Defensively, LB Shan Housekeeper and DB Nate Green led the Horsemen with four solo and three assisted tackles each. Housekeeper also scored on a 4-yard carry in the third quarter, and Green remained tied for the league lead in interceptions by making his third INT in as many games. DB William Mulder, in addition to notching 3.5 total tackles on the day, also ran back a fumble recovery 24 yards in the first quarter for Lexington's first points of the game. DB/WR Champ Kelly made solid contributions on both sides of the ball, with 3.5 total tackles and an interception on defense, and a 27-yard touchdown reception on offense in the second quarter.
LEXINGTON HORSEMEN NOTES Ohio Valley replaces Houma for this week's game; Colorado Venom fold; Myrtle Beach courts new ownership
Due to changes in the NIFL schedule, the Horsemen will now square off against the two-time defending champion Ohio Valley Greyhounds this Saturday. The Greyhounds are currently working on a 23-game winning streak that dates back to July 6, 2002, and join the Horsemen as the only two undefeated teams remaining in the Atlantic Conference this season. Tickets purchased for Saturday's game against Houma will be honored for the Ohio Valley game.
The schedule change for the Horsemen was spurred by the folding of the Colorado Venom franchise in Fort Collins. The NIFL announced today that Colorado will cease operations for the 2004 season while the league looks to organize a strong ownership group in the Fort Collins market. In order to preserve the integrity of the 14-game regular season schedule, this week's games were adjusted to accommodate Fort Collins' departure, which resulted in Ohio Valley replacing Houma on Lexington's schedule.
The league also announced that it is currently working on several avenues to bring new owners into the fold in Myrtle Beach, SC. Should a new ownership group get approved, Myrtle Beach will be re-added to the NIFL schedule and will potentially play their full home and road schedule. The Horsemen are currently scheduled to play at Myrtle Beach on June 7.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: OHIO VALLEY GREYHOUNDS
The Ohio Valley Greyhounds come into Rupp Arena as the unquestioned top dogs of the NIFL. The two-time defending league champs haven't lost a game since July 6, 2002, a 23-game streak, and handed the Horsemen three of their six defeats in 2003. In their last visit to Rupp Arena, the âHounds needed a last-second field goal to get past Lexington in a 56-53 thriller. Ohio Valley ended Lexington's season last year by knocking them out of the 2003 playoffs, 51-42.
This season, the Greyhounds have picked up right where they left off, joining the Horsemen as the only undefeated teams remaining in the Atlantic Conference. Ohio Valley also leads the NIFL in margin of victory (31.6 ppg), scoring defense (22.7 ppg), and pass defense (71.7 ypg). Offensively, the Greyhounds are led by QB Shane Franzer (147.7 passing ypg), RB Rayshawn Askew (32.3 rushing ypg), and WR John Cooper (61.5 receiving ypg). Their top-rated defense is paced by Allan Jackson (17.0 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss) and Curtese Poole (15.5 total tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss).
OTHER NEWS
The Horsemen game will be broadcast live at 7:30 PM EST on WLAP 630-AM. Jim Tirey and Ryan Lemond will have the call.
At halftime, the Horsemen will hold a passing and kicking competition featuring quarterbacks and kickers from local area high schools. The winners of the competition will receive the Horsemen traveling trophies, currently held by Lexington Dunbar High School (quarterbacks) and Lexington Christian Academy (kickers).
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 13, 2004
- Outlaws set record - Billings Outlaws
- NIFL Announces Players of the Week - NIFL
- Doug Smith Wins Second Player of the Week Award - Utah Warriors
- Outlaws Set NIFL League Record - Billings Outlaws
- Press Release - Player Signings 4-13-04 - Black Hills Red Dogs
- Horsemen knock off Freedom in thriller - Kentucky Horsemen
- Diesel Announce Ticket Special - Tri-City Diesel
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