Horsemen send message in 49-21 victory over Fort Wayne
April 6, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen defense was put to the test on March 27, facing the top-scoring team in the league, and the Horsemen passed with flying colors, holding the Fort Wayne Freedom to six first-half points en route to a 49-21 victory. Fort Wayne (2-1 overall, 2-1 division) scored on their first possession of the game, but were then held scoreless until the fourth quarter as Lexington (2-0, 2-0) reeled off 35 unanswered points to wrap up the win. Horsemen DB Nate Green made a critical interception late in the first half to turn the game decisively in Lexington's favor. With less than a minute to go in the half, Green intercepted an Antoine Taylor pass at the Horsemen 2 and returned it 45 yards, setting up a 7-yard TD pass from Dusty Bonner to Chad Spencer on the next play, which gave the Horsemen a 21-6 lead at halftime. The Horsemen defense remained stingy in the second half as Bonner hooked up with RB Martez Johnson and Spencer again for scores to put the game out of reach. The Freedom put two fourth-quarter touchdowns on the board, but never got within 21 points as the Horsemen cruised in the second half.
Bonner finished the day 20 of 25 with 158 yards passing and four touchdowns. Martez Johnson again led the way on the ground with 57 yards rushing on 13 carries, and also caught a 29-yard scoring pass from Bonner in the third quarter. New addition Harry Lewis led Horsemen receivers with 5 catches for 52 yards, and Chad Spencer continued an impressive early season effort with three touchdown catches. OL Ike Clepper also turned in an outstanding performance, limiting Ft. Wayne DL Rachman Crable to 1.5 total tackles in the game.
Defensively, LB Shan Housekeeper led the Horsemen with 11.0 tackles, including 8 solo hits. Housekeeper also scored on a 1-yard carry in the fourth quarter. DB Nate Green, in addition to making the crucial first-half interception, contributed 8.5 tackles on the day. DB William Mulder added 5 solo tackles and an interception, and DB Derek Homer contributed a sack and 2.0 tackles for loss in the winning effort.
LEXINGTON HORSEMEN NOTES
Green named Player of the Week; Myrtle Beach loses franchise
Lexington DB Nate Green was named Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 3 performance against Fort Wayne. Green was responsible for 8.5 total tackles, and made a key interception (which he returned 45 yards) towards the end of the first half to shift the game's momentum in the Horsemen's favor. Green joins K Justin Hutton as Horsemen who have been named Player of the Week in 2004.
The NIFL announced this week that the Myrtle Beach Stingrays franchise has been pulled from the league for failure to meet their financial obligations. The Myrtle Beach roster will be disbursed throughout the league, with priority given to the Greenville RiverHawks. Lexington was scheduled to play at Myrtle Beach on June 7, and the league has assured the Horsemen front office that the integrity of Lexington's 14-game schedule will be preserved, most likely with the Horsemen playing a second game against Greenville. The Horsemen will provide more details on this development as they become known.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: FORT WAYNE FREEDOM
The Fort Wayne Freedom will be looking to exact some revenge on the Horsemen, coming off the heels of their 49-21 loss in Rupp Arena. Both the Horsemen and the Freedom enjoyed an open week last week, which will allow Ft. Wayne RB Rocky Harvey some time to heal. Harvey came into the Lexington game leading the league in scoring with 12 touchdowns, but injured an ankle early in the first quarter and was largely ineffective for the rest of the night. QB Antoine Taylor looms as a threat through the air and on the ground with 159.0 passing yards per game and 23.0 rushing yards per game. The Horsemen will also need to pay attention to Freedom WR (and Union College product) Dayna Overton, who notched 8 catches for 110 yards against Lexington, including two long scoring receptions in the fourth quarter. Defensively, the Freedom are led by LB Adam Wheatley, who has 19.5 total tackles on the season.
OTHER NEWS
The Horsemen game will be broadcast live at 8:00 PM EST on WLAP 630-AM. Jim Tirey and Ryan Lemond will have the call.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 6, 2004
- NIFL Announces Players of the Week - NIFL
- Beef travel to Tri-City - Omaha Beef
- Horsemen send message in 49-21 victory over Fort Wayne - Kentucky Horsemen
- Wyoming Cavalry have busy week planned - Wyoming Cavalry
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