Joe B. Hall to "officiate" Horsemen halftime
April 21, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen (3-1 overall, 3-0 division) suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday as the Ohio Valley Greyhounds (4-0, 3-0) jumped out to an early lead and knocked off the Horsemen 48-34 in Rupp Arena. The win was the Greyhounds' 24th in a row, dating back to July 6, 2002. Lexington got off to a good start on the defensive side of the ball when Horsemen DB Mark Walker intercepted a Shane Franzer pass on the first possession of the game. However, the Greyhounds defense, as would be the case for much of the night, stood strong when it had to, and kept Lexington out of the end zone in the first quarter. Ohio Valley put the ball in the hands of RB Rayshawn Askew for much of the game, and he delivered, carrying the ball 17 times for 89 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Down 20-7 at halftime, the Horsemen came out in the second half and went to a no-huddle offense, which provided a glimmer of hope when it produced two third quarter touchdowns (from Martez Johnson and Chad Spencer), but the Greyhounds put the game out of reach with three unanswered touchdowns to start the fourth quarter.
Bonner finished the day 23 of 42 with 160 yards passing and four touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions on the day. Chad Spencer put in another fine effort receiving, catching seven passes for 69 yards and three touchdowns. Dougie Allen, Martez Johnson and Harry Lewis also contributed five catches each for the Horsemen.
Defensively, DB Nate Green and LB Shan Housekeeper continued to set the pace for the Horsemen. Green notched six solo and two assisted tackles to lead Lexington in total tackles with 7.0. Housekeeper added 5.5 total tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. DB Mark Walker also had an impressive outing, tallying two interceptions and three pass breakups in the game.
HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS
With four games under their belt, the Horsemen are making their presence felt in the NIFL statistical records. Dusty Bonner is currently second in the league in pass rating with a 108.9 figure, trailing only Utah's Danny Ragsdale. Bonner is also fourth overall in passing touchdowns (16) and eighth in passing yards per game (176.2).
K Justin Hutton currently ranks fifth overall in PAT kicking, having made 20 of 23 attempts for an 87.0 percentage on the season.
Defensively, Nate Green and Shan Housekeeper lead the way for Lexington. Green is currently fourth in the NIFL in interceptions, having returned three picks for 60 yards and a touchdown. Green also ranks 17th in the league in tackles, with 25.5 on the year. Housekeeper is 14th in the NIFL in total tackles, and leads Lexington with 27.5 on the season.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: TUPELO FIREANTS
The Tupelo FireAnts come into Rupp with an impressive 4-1 record, including a staggering 111-12 victory over Greenville on April 3. The FireAnts lead the NIFL in scoring, averaging 59.6 points per game; and rushing offense, with a 109.2 yards per game average. Tupelo has also proven to be a ball-hawking team thus far, ranking third in the league in turnover margin (+1.40 per game).
The FireAnts are led by QB Will Hall, who currently ranks seventh in the league in pass rating (103.2) and total offensive yards (785). The Tupelo rushing attack is paced by RB Joe Gunn, who is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and is fourth in the NIFL in rushing yards (230).
Defensively, the FireAnts feature a potent inside/outside attack. DBs Eric Bingham and Bobby Hill rank second and third in the NIFL in interceptions, with four and three, respectively. In the trenches, Pig Prather is second in the league in total tackles, with 34.0, while Reggie Smith and Patrick Garth are tied for fourth in the NIFL in sacks, with 4.0 each. Smith also ranks third in the league in tackles for loss, with 8.0.
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES League announces other schedule changes; Myrtle Beach to remain in league, play full schedule; UK basketball seniors make tour stop at Tupelo game
The National Indoor Football League announced other changes to the league schedule prompted by last week's suspension of the Colorado Venom franchise. As a result of these changes, Lexington will host the Wichita Falls (KS) Thunder on May 7. Wichita Falls replaces Staten Island on the Horsemen schedule, and all tickets purchased for the May 7 Staten Island game will be honored.
The NIFL also announced that the Myrtle Beach Stingrays will remain in the league and play a full 14-game schedule.
At halftime of this week's game against Tupelo, the University of Kentucky Barnstorming Tour will be on hand to take part in a football skills competition. UK basketball seniors Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Cliff Hawkins, Antwain Barbour, and Matt Heissenbuttel will try their hand at passing and kicking contests, and the seniors will be available for autographs after the game.
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.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 21, 2004
- Joe B. Hall to "officiate" Horsemen halftime - Kentucky Horsemen
- Sioux Falls Storm To Announce New Quarterback at Champps - Sioux Falls Storm
- Bluecats Look to Rebound against NIFL Champs - Evansville BlueCats
- New quarterback with Beef - Omaha Beef
- NIFL Announces Players of the Week - NIFL
- Diesel Look to Extend Streak to Four - Tri-City Diesel
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