Lone Stars Lock Down Stampede
July 25, 2004 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Lubbock GunSlingers News Release
Lubbock- It was another great show for the Lubbock fans that attended the Lone Stars game Saturday night. They witnessed a Lone Stars team that has finally hit their stride and has started taking care of business each and every game.
Saturday it was another stellar performance by the Lone Stars defense that gave the Lubbock franchise their first four game winning streak in the team's short history. A 52-40 win over the first place San Angelo Stampede secured the Lone Stars a tie breaker if the two teams happen to have the same record at seasons end.
The way the Lone Stars are playing that might not even be a matter of concern. Lubbock has finally reached the portion of their schedule that hoped would pay off. Six of their last seven games at home where they are now a perfect 5-0.
Saturday night the Lone Stars got great pressure on All-Star quarterback Jason McKinley sacking him twice and putting consistent pressure on him especially in the second half. The Stampede scored only 6 points on the second half and where forced in to playing with a long field after Lubbock's special teams finally came to play.
Rodney McKinney led the defensive line with both sacks and along with the help of Gathan McGinnis and Chris Reed rattled McKinley into making poor reads. Defensive back Chris Culbert, who was second on the team in tackles with 6, recorded another interception for the Lone Stars defense. And with help from the linebackers the Lone Stars batted down 12 Stampede passes.
The Lone Stars offense, which has become infamous for putting up big numbers, played well enough to give the team another âw'. Joe Davis through just under 50% of his passes for completions, but had 200 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air.
Anton Paige was held under 100 yards for the second game in a row just missing the magic number by 9 yards. Carlo Heard, the big 6-4 230 pounder, had his best outing catching 4 balls for 77 yards and 3 touchdowns. He made the Lone Stars first touchdown after turning a one yard hitch into a 44 yard touchdown run. TJ Glover also had a touchdown on only 2 catches, but helped both Heard and Paige get open by lining up on the opposite side of the field and taking away one of the Stampede's quicker DB's.
The Lone Stars also had to put up with another poorly officiated contest in which the men in stripes penalized Lubbock for 74 yards on 13 flags. It was a different officiating crew then the Lone Stars had been accustomed to seeing at home. The usual Lubbock crew, which appears to be the best in the IFL, will not officiate anymore Lone Stars games this season.
The Lone Stars remain tied for third place in the IFL standings with Corpus Christi, both teams with a 7 and 5 record. That tie will be short lived as the two teams meet up Saturday for the first time in Lubbock. The teams did battle it out in week 3 of the season with the Lone Stars coming up short on the final seconds from the 3 yard line.
Kick off is set for 7:05 at the Lubbock Coliseum.
Intense Football League Stories from July 25, 2004
- Lone Stars Lock Down Stampede - Lubbock GunSlingers
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.
