Kats Edge Wranglers in Thriller
Published on March 24, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
NASHVILLE- The Nashville Kats (2-2) beat the Austin Wranglers (1-3) in front of 11,689 70-63 to get to .500 on the season. Austin falls for the third consecutive game of 2007. Cornelius Bonner was named Offensive Player of the Game (six catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns), Ahmad Hawkins Defensive Player of the Game and Maurice Brown took home Ironman of the Game Honors.
In a game filled with peanlties, turnovers and fast-paced action, Nashville was able to outlast the Wranglers to earn their second consecutive victory of 2007. Ahmad Hawkins was a stealth the entire contest posting three interceptions while Keon Raymond pitched in one interception for the second consecutive season. Kats Qb Jeff Smoker was stoic in leading the Kats to victory,going 15-for-25 with six touchdowns.
After a crowd-cheering, standing ovation for Wranglers receiver Derrick Lewis during his National Anthem rendition, the Wranglers got on the board first with a four-yard run by Sedrick Robinson. The Kats responded with a 33-yard fied goal by K Jason Witczak to make the score 7-3 Austin. On the Wranglers' ensuing drive, Kats DB intercepted a Lang Campbell pass to give the Kats the ball deep in Austin territory. The Kats responded by taking the lead 10-7 with a three-yard run by FB Dan Alexander with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter. On Austin's next drive, Kats DL Brian Howard, while rushing the passer was held and coincidently, DB Hawkins intercepted his second pass of the day and raced 48-yards for a touchdown en route to making the score 17-7 Nashville.
Early in the second quarter, Austin got back on the scoreboard with a one-yard run by FB Dane Krager to make the score 17-14 Austin. The Kats continued their tricky ways by kicking an onside kick that was recovered by DB Hawkins, giving the Kats the ball deep in Wranglers territory. After running the ball three consecutive times on the Kats' next drive, Alexander scored his second touchdown of the night by scoring on a two-yard run, pushing the Kats to 24-14. The scoring continued as Austin converted on a misdirection run that fooled the camera man and Kats alike, FB Chad Dukes found the endzone for the first time on a two-yard run, making the score 24-21 Kats. Two plays later, the Kats responded immediately and emphatically with a Jeff Smoker pass to rookie WR Kenny Higgins for a 33-yard touchdown, extending the Kats' lead to 30-21. After not starting the game due to breaking team rules, Austin QB Adrian McPherson got that Wranglers back on the scoreboard with a 16-yard pass to WR Derrick Lewis making the score 30-28 Nashville.
Late in the second quarter, Smoker connected with Kats season leading receiver Cornelius Bonner for a 28-yard touchdown to make the score 37-28. On Austin's next drive McPherson hooked up with Otis Amey for a one-yard touchdown to make the score 37-35 at halftime.
The second-half opened on a bizarre and controversial call when Jeff Smoker was hit and the ball went into the endzone, it looked like Smoker recovered the ball but instead, it was ruled recovered by DL Rob Schroeder for an Austin TD, pushing the Wranglers ahead 42-37. Nashville responded on a penalty-ladden drive with a tw-yard rush by FB Alexander making the score 44-42 Nashville.
McPherson started the Wranglers' next drive by throwing the ball deep aiming soley for a big-play catch and score, after a Ahmad Hawkins pass breakup, McPherson tested Hawkins again and Hawkins won again, making his third interception of the night. The Kats responded on the defensive momentum with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Smoker to Bonner, making the score 51-42 Nashville. Austin refuses to stay down long and that attitude is exemplified on Otis Amey's stretched out touchdown catch to close the score 51-49 Nashville. Cornelius Bonner continued his stellar play by scoring on 45-yard touchdown on the Kats' first play. A botched PAT made the score 57-49 Nashville. Austin responded with a 33-yard pass from McPherson to Kevin Nickerson to make the score 57-56 Nashville.
The Kats continued their offensive prowess when Fitu Tuua caught a 23-yard pass before barrelling into Austin defender Nate Coggins. Dan Alexander was on pace to make the endzone but a late stretch was fumbled which was recovered by QB Smoker. A late hit on Smoker by Austin defenders gave Nashville new life which was capped off by spectacular, in beteween two defender catch by Higgins to make the score 63-56. Nashville missed the ensuing PAT. With 1:17 remaining in the contest, Austin scored to tie the score at 63. The Kats' final touchdown came on a eight-yard pass to Kenny Higgins. DB Keon Raymond intercepted a McPherson throw to seal the Kats' victory. The interception was Raymond's second in the last two games.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 24, 2007
- Wranglers lose a close one at home, 70-63 - Austin Wranglers
- Kats Edge Wranglers in Thriller - Nashville Kats
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- Force Stay Unbeaten, Defeat SaberCats 64-62 - San Jose SaberCats
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