Horsemen Travel to Tupelo in Sole Possession of Second
May 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The much-anticipated battle between the top two teams in the NIFL's Atlantic East division lived up to its billing last week, as the Ohio Valley Greyhounds (9-0, 8-0) defeated the Lexington Horsemen (6-2, 4-1) on a 16-yard field goal with one second left in the game. The Greyhounds overcame an early 17-7 deficit, jumped out to a 10-point lead, and then drove for the game-winning points after Lexington tied the game at 53 with 1:16 left on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dusty Bonner to Carlos Johnson.
Lexington RB Martez Johnson led the way for the Horsemen with four touchdowns, and WR Craig Yeast made an impressive debut, scoring on the opening drive of the game on a 1-yard pass from QB Dusty Bonner, and then later taking a kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half of the game.
The loss leaves Lexington in sole possession of second place in the Atlantic East division, one game ahead of the Fort Wayne Freedom (5-3, 3-3). With the season over halfway finished, the race for the playoffs in the Atlantic Conference has begun in earnest. Each division champion (East and South) and two wild-card teams will qualify for the 2003 playoffs. The current contenders for the postseason:
Ohio Valley 9-0 (East division leader)
Lake Charles 7-2 (South division leader)
Lexington 6-2
Houma 7-3
Fort Wayne 5-3
Beaumont 5-4
Austin 5-4
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT â TUPELO FIREANTS
The Horsemen travel outside the division for the second time in three weeks to face the Tupelo FireAnts (1-8, 1-7) of the Atlantic South division. Tupelo has struggled to put points on the board all season, averaging only 22.4 points per game (23rd in the league). The FireAnts have proven to be dangerous at home, however, sporting a 1-2 home record that includes two strong games aganst Atlantic South playoff contenders (a 26-25 victory over 5-4 Beaumont and a narrow 43-49 loss to 7-3 Houma).
The FireAnts offense is led by a couple of SEC products, QB Matt Wyatt of Mississippi State and RB Allen Copeland of the University of Mississippi. However, the most dangerous player on the Tupelo roster may be kick returner Bobby Hill, who leads the FireAnts in all-purpose yards (98.0 per game). The Tupelo defense is anchored by Eric Bingham, Reggie Smith and Ricky Franklin, who have combined for 15.5 tackles for loss on the season. Kenzaki Jones and Kareem Vance patrol the defensive backfield for the FireAnts, and each has three interceptions on the year.
FIREANTS SEASON TO DATE
3/15 at Beaumont L 10-33
3/23 at Lake Charles L 25-50
3/29 at Fort Wayne L 22-57
4/12 vs. Austin L 27-42
4/26 vs. Beaumont W 26-25
5/4 at Houma L 26-47
5/10 at Austin L 8-57
5/17 vs. Houma L 43-49
5/23 at Oklahoma L 15-27
HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS
The Horsemen continue to put up impressive numbers in the NIFL, with a number of players among the league's statistical leaders. QB Dusty Bonner remains among the top quarterbacks in the league, and ranks third overall in total offense (197.6 YPG), passing yards (193.9 YPG), quarterback rating (108.0), and passing touchdowns (36).
RB Martez Johnson continues his strong all-around season as well, as he currently ranks third in the league in scoring (15.8 PPG), fourth in receptions (5.50 RPG), and tenth in rushing (40.4 YPG).
Defensively, Lexington's defensive backs have quietly put together top numbers as well. DB Ray McLaurin is second in the NIFL in passes defensed, with 17, leading teammate Nate Green, who is sixth with 13 passes defensed on the year. Green is also fifth in the league in interceptions, averaging 0.63 per game, putting him slightly ahead of Horsmen DB Champ Kelly, who is eighth with 0.50 picks per game.
A full list of statistical categories featuring Horsemen players is attached to this e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
The Horsemen game will be broadcast live at 8 PM EST on WLAP 630-AM. The Horsemen's next home game will be Saturday, June 14 against the Tennessee RiverHawks in Rupp Arena.
Arena Football League Stories from May 28, 2003
- Horsemen Travel to Tupelo in Sole Possession of Second - Kentucky Horsemen
- Preds McGriff Named AFL Rookie of the Year - Orlando Predators
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