Rathe, Spartans outduel Bartik, Thunder
June 1, 2007 - World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2)
Augusta Colts News Release
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mike Rathe and Bo Bartik each had a World Indoor Football League eight touchdowns passes, but Rathe's Augusta Spartans defeated Bartik and the Daytona Beach Thunder 66-49 before 3,039 at James Brown Arena.
Both quarterbacks smashed the previous of six they previously shared, Rathe on three occasions and Bartik twice.
Rathe, a University of South Carolina product was 21 of 31 for 191 yards with no interceptions. Bartik threw for 250 yards, but had two costly interceptions - both by Augusta's Kijana Thomas - late in the first half that helped Augusta turned a 25-24 deficit into a 44-25 third quarter advantage.
The Spartans (7-6) got 10 points from special teams and defense compared to just one for the Thunder (3-10) as Augusta moved closer to clinching home field advantage for the playoff game with the Osceola Ghostriders (5-6) for the right to face the Columbus Lions in the inaugural World Indoor Bowl.
League-leading receiving Marvin Stone had relatively quiet numbers of six catches and 74 yards, but four of his catches went for touchdowns to increase his season total to 37 total touchdowns (36 receiving, one return).
Michael Flint led the balanced Spartan receiving effort with eight catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Young (6-43) and Isaac West (1-4) each added a score. Wille Butler rushed for 44 yards and one touchdowns.
Cory McKinney, the league's second leading receiver, caught eight passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns for the 3-10 Thunder, who lead 19-17 at the end of the first quarter. Barry Wagner had f our catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns, while Tarell Moree, Nick Allison and Tavares Woodley each scored once.
The 115 combined points were the most in a WIFL game this season ,eclipsing the old mark of 105 set by these same two teams on April 28 in a 54-51 Thunder victory.
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World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from June 1, 2007
- Rathe, Spartans outduel Bartik, Thunder - Augusta Colts
- WIFL Record Eight Touchdown Passes Thrown - Daytona Beach Thunder
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