Ruff Riders notch first ever victory, 58-38 over CenTex
April 28, 2007 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release
BELTON, TX - Running back Carlos Alsup scored three touchdowns and quarterback Albert Higgs tossed for 181 yards and two scores as the Katy Ruff Riders (1-1) earned the first victory in franchise history with a 58-38 win over the CenTex Barracudas (1-2), at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton Saturday night.
With Ruff Riders kicker Whitney Hillin sidelined with flu-like symptoms, Katy head coach Donald Hollas was forced to go for two-point conversions on every touchdown score, and had no options to try any field goals. The very athletic Higgs was sent in to kick off the ball each time Katy needed to, but in the end it worked out in favor of the Ruff Riders. Higgs converted on four of his seven attempts at the two-point conversion.
Katy took a 14-10 lead after one quarter on a pair of TD runs by Clay Woodard and Alsup. Both sides lit up the scoreboard in the second quarter, as the Ruff Riders went into the locker room at the half, ahead 38-28. CenTex closed the gap to 38-35 midway through the third quarter, and had the ball deep in Katy territory before Demetrious Rector intercepted Barracudas quarterback Dixie Wooten at the goal line. Higgs made the Barracudas pay by immediately hitting Sammy Knight on a 33-yard strike to increase the lead back to a nine-point margin at 44-35, at the end of the third.
Katy's electric speedster Darrick Wallace added a big blow early in the fourth quarter when he returned a missed field goal by CenTex kicker Kyle Robinson the full length of the field, to give the Ruff Riders a 52-35 edge with 11 minutes to play. The Barracudas were never able to get much closer, as Katy's defense held on to secure the win. Derrick McCullar returned an interception for a touchdown with just under two minutes left in the game, to end the scoring.
"I think we have a very solid team that is already getting much better," said Hollas. "Our defense was the key tonight, and we brought in defensive end Rod Kelly, who had a great game. Also, Gerald Dockery took over as our Defensive Coordinator this week, and we showed a significant improvement. So, I was really proud of our overall effort tonight to get this first win. It feels pretty good."
Tickets are on sale now for the Ruff Riders return home next Sunday, May 6, as they take on the Alaska Wild at 3:00 pm at the Merrell Center. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the Ruff Riders office at 281-492-1045, or logging on to www.KatyRuffRiders.com. In addition, Radio Disney performing artist Mignon will be in concert following the game, presented by LaCenterra.
Catch all the Ruff Riders action this season on ESPN Radio 97.5 FM The Ticket. For full Houston Chronicle coverage of the Ruff Riders, log on to http://www.chron.com/news/community/katy/.
Contact: Ruff Riders Director of Media Relations Dave Fanucchi @ 281-881-2433 or dave@katyruffriders.com.
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Intense Football League Stories from April 28, 2007
- Ruff Riders notch first ever victory, 58-38 over CenTex - Abilene Ruff Riders
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