Horsemen Roll to 5-1
May 14, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen made it five wins in a row on Saturday night with a 61-26 pasting of Evansville in Rupp Arena. The Horsemen (5-1, 4-0) were led by QB Dusty Bonner, who threw a season-high eight touchdown passes to seven different receivers on the night. The Horsemen jumped out to a quick lead, with WR Dougie Allen hauling in a 29-yard touchdown pass on the second play from scrimmage in the game. Five Bonner touchdown passes later â including a 45-yard strike to WR Carlos Johnson in the second quarter â and the Horsemen were sitting on a 41-14 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Lexington slow the game down a bit; after a first half in which five of their six drives (all of which went for touchdowns) were of two plays or less, the Horsemen turned to their ground game, led by RB Martez Johnson (1 TD receiving, 1 TD rushing), and sustained back-to-back scoring drives of five plays each to keep the ball out of the Blue Cats' hands and put the game out of reach.
The win keeps Lexington in sole possession of second place in the Atlantic East division, chasing the defending champion Ohio Valley Greyhounds, who remained undefeated this week by squeaking out a 23-13 win over the Show Me (MO) Believers. Ohio Valley plays the Tennessee RiverHawks this week, while the Horsemen face the Beaumont Drillers. The Greyhounds and the Horsemen will face each other in Rupp Arena on May 24, in a game that will likely have major ramifications in the race for the Atlantic East division title.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT â BEAUMONT DRILLERS
The Horsemen take a rare road trip out of the Atlantic East this week to face the Beaumont (TX) Drillers of the Atlantic South division. The Drillers are right in the hunt for the Atlantic South crown, as they are currently tied for first place in the division with the Lake Charles LandSharks with a 5-2 record.
The Drillers are led by QB Derrick Taite, who Kentuckians may remember from his days under center at Mississippi State. Taite is averaging about 165 yards passing per game with a pass rating of 96.8.
The Drillers also boast two of the top receivers in the NIFL in Shock Davis and Pat Palmer, who have combined to average over 120 yards receiving per game. The duo has also hauled in 19 touchdowns between them this season. The Drillers running game is led by RB Troy Sumrall, who is averaging just under 50 yards a game.
Defensively, Beaumont is paced by DL Mark Boleware, who leads the team in tackles for loss (with 8.5), and DB Randy Chappel, an Oklahoma State product who leads the team in interceptions with four.
DRILLERS SEASON TO DATE
3/15 vs. Tupelo W 33-10
3/22 vs. Austin W 34-28
3/29 at Evansville W 49-39
4/12 vs. Houma W 54-44
4/19 vs. Lake Charles L 20-61
4/26 at Tupelo L 25-26
5/2 at Oklahoma W 66-54
5/4 vs. Ohio Valley L 22-39
OTHER NEWS
The Horsemen's game against Beaumont will be broadcast live on WLAP 630 at approximately 7:35 EST on Saturday. Jim Tirey and Ryan Lemond will bring fans all of the action.
Upper and lower level tickets are still available for the Horsemen's next home game against the defending champion Ohio Valley Greyhounds, which will be played in Rupp Arena on May 24. For ticket information, please call 859-233-3535. The game will also be broadcast live on WLAP 630 AM.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 14, 2003
- Talons to Introduce new Acquisition at Media Night - Tulsa Talons
- Horsemen Roll to 5-1 - Kentucky Horsemen
- Former Texas Tech Lineman Joins Talons - Tulsa Talons
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