Horsemen win 67-66 thrill ride in Atlantic City
May 25, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen (5-3 overall, 3-0 division) eked out a dramatic 67-66 win over the host Atlantic City CardSharks on Saturday night, as Derek Homer plunged into the end zone from a yard out with 12 seconds remaining to snatch the victory. After an evenly played three quarters, which ended with Atlantic City leading 36-35, the two teams exploded for 62 combined fourth-quarter points, culminating in Homer's game-winning touchdown. The lead changed hands four times in the final 1:21 of the game, which featured a 48-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Horsemen RB Martez Johnson with 1:12 to play which put Lexington up 61-58. Atlantic City answered with a touchdown and two point conversion to go up 66-61 with 28 seconds left in the game, but WR Dougie Allen returned the ensuing kickoff to the CardSharks 2 yard line, setting up Homer's decisive score.
Allen led all players with 106 receiving yards on the day, hauled in four touchdown receptions, and tacked on 107 kickoff return yards for good measure. Johnson added 77 return yards of his own to go with his game-high 39 yards rushing. QB Dusty Bonner finished the game 20 of 34 with 210 yards passing, and threw six touchdowns. He threw one interception on the day. Harry Lewis led all receivers with seven catches for the game, and Chad Spencer put in another fine effort receiving, catching four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
K Justin Hutton had another strong outing, making one of three field goal attempts (from 42 yards), and hitting on all six of his PAT attempts.
Defensively, Homer led all Horsemen with 5 solo tackles and 6.0 total tackles on the night. LB Shan Housekeeper and DL Nate Van Sickel each contributed a sack, and DB Nate Green notched yet another interception in the game.
HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS
Several Horsemen are among the league's statistical leaders this season. Dusty Bonner is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns, with 34, and is currently fourth in the league in pass rating with a 106.8 figure. He is also sixth in total offense (1,464 yards) and seventh in passing yards per game (175.2). WR Dougie Allen continues to pile up the all-purpose yards, and is currently fifth in the NIFL with 1,160 total all-purpose yards on the year. Allen is also eighth in kick return average at 22.1 yards per return.
K Justin Hutton is currently eighth in scoring among kickers with 57 points on the season, and is fourth overall in PAT kicking, having made 42 of 47 attempts for an 89.4 percentage on the season.
Defensively, DB Nate Green is currently fifth in the NIFL in interceptions, having returned six picks for 55 yards and a touchdown.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: EVANSVILLE BLUECATS
The Horsemen host division rival Evansville (4-4, 2-2) in an Atlantic North matchup on Saturday. Evansville has shown some firepower during their .500 season, putting up 71 points and 88 points in wins over Fort Wayne and Show Me in May. The BlueCats are averaging 49.1 points per game, good for fifth-best in the league (Lexington is eighth with 47.4). Their 254.4 yards per game is ranks them fourth in the league in total offense as well.
Individually, the BlueCats look to RB Michael Casey to get them into the end zone. Casey is currently fourth in the league in scoring, with 21 touchdowns (all rushing) on the year. Casey also averages 56.5 yards rushing per game, fourth-best in the NIFL. When the BlueCats go to the air, they look for WR John Gordon, sixth in the league in total receiving yards, with 569. Gordon has also snared 13 touchdowns on the year.
Defensively, Evansville is led by Ron Cook, who is fifth in the NIFL in sacks, with 6.5. They are also anchored by Isaiah Greer and Jeremy Lawrence, who are battling for the team lead in tackles, with 48.0 and 47.5, respectively.
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES
Family Night at Rupp â buy three tickets, get the fourth free
This Saturday will be family night in Rupp, and the Horsemen are encouraging all families and friends to come out to the game by offering a fourth free ticket to anyone who purchases three tickets to the game. Other family-oriented promotions and giveaways will take place as well, including a media obstacle course â on-air personalities from the four local TV networks will team up with young fans to compete for prizes at halftime.
The Horsemen game 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 May 25, 2004
- Record on Horizon for Bobby Hall - Tupelo FireAnts
- Horsemen win 67-66 thrill ride in Atlantic City - Kentucky Horsemen
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