Late score lifts Yard Dawgz
Published on May 13, 2007 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Yard Dawgz began the first of a three week hiatus from the Ford Center when they traveled to Amarillo, Texas, on Saturday, May 12th to take on the Dusters (1-5). The game was a back-and-forth battle, but the visiting Yard Dawgz came out on top, 59-55.
Searching for their first conference win of the season, the Yard Dawgz seemed to be right on track when QB Stan Hill scored on a quarterback sneak. Hill was 23-of-32 passing with 244 yards and 4 TDs.
The 3,050 fans in attendance knew a good football game was brewing when the Dusters scored three times in the first, launching them to a 14 point lead over the Yard Dawgz. The Dawgz answered back when FB Darnell Small powered into the end zone to end the first quarter, bringing the Dawgz within 7.
Amarillo's only score in the second quarter was a 17 yd pass from Panella to Dustin Johnson. Small collected his second and final touchdown of the night when he scored on a 1 yard run with 4:54 left in the first half, bringing the Dawgz within 7 points. The Dawgz ended the second quarter with momentum on their side due to WR Al Hunt's first of three touchdowns. With this score, Hunt became one of only seven players in af2 history to reach 700 career points.
Adding to the unending drama was the Yard Dawgz special teams, who continued to be a problem despite the recent assignment of former Texas Tech Red Raider kicker, Keith Toogood. Toogood missed several PATs during the contest and continued to give the Dusters excellent field position. Fortunately for the Yard Dawgz, the Jon Holland led defense came up with stops at crucial times, which kept the game within reach for the visitors.
In the third, rookie Larry Hayden helped the Yard Dawgz take their first lead of the night when he picked off QB Steve Panella for a 39 yard touchdown run. Panella was awarded as the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game and went 20-of-32 with 1 interception and 3 rushing touchdowns.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the fourth quarter as the Yard Dawgz and Dusters traded scores. The Dawgz received their biggest break of the night when Toogood's kickoff, with 32 seconds left on the game clock, landed the Dusters deep in their own territory. Yard Dawgz defenders continued to impress as they held the Dusters scoreless, ending the game 59-55, Yard Dawgz.
The Dawgz head back to Texas next week to take on the expansion Lubbock Renegades. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. The Dawgz are back at the Ford Center on June 2nd, when the Dawgz host the Laredo Lobos.
Yard Dawgz games can be heard at KTOK AM1000 or KGFF AM1450. Games can also be heard online at www.ktok.com or www.kgff.com. For more information, call 405.228.3294 or visit www.okcyarddawgz.com.
arenafootball2 Stories from May 13, 2007
- Gatto Leads Copperheads to Win - Texas Copperheads
- Late score lifts Yard Dawgz - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
