Ruff Riders Still Looking To Clinch Home Playoff Game

June 22, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release


ABILENE, TX. : The Ruff Riders were looking to clinch themselves a home playoff game in the first round of the IFL post-season as they took on the Corpus Christi Hammerheads on Saturday, June 20. The Hammerheads entered Saturday on a tear having won three straight and also looking to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The Hammerheads got started on the right track as QB Cory Miles found WR Austin Willis for a 14-yard touchdown pass but with the extra point no good Corpus led 6-0. Under the direction of QB David Bowie, the Ruff Riders were able to find the end-zone on their first drive as Bowie hooked up with Fred Howze for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give Abilene a 7-6 lead. Corpus closed out the first quarter on a Toric Goins three-yard touchdown run to make 13-7.

Abilene countered in the start of the second quarter with a Carlos Alsup four-yard touchdown run to make it 14-13, it would be Alsup's second rushing touchdown of the season. Corpus and Abilene would battle back and forth in the second quarter as Cory Miles added a five-yard touchdown run and David Bowie found WR Juan Reese for a five-yard touchdown pass to give the Ruff Riders a one-point advantage at 21-20. The Hammerheads would tack on a late first half score to retake the lead after Ty Sellers hooked up with Fred Wallace for a five-yard touchdown pass making it 27-21.

Corpus took control of the ball game in the third quarter by shutting out the Ruff Riders 10-0. Kicker Rene Vasquez added a 24-yard field goal and Fred Wallace scored on a five-yard touchdown run to extend the Hammerhead lead at 37-21 at the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Ruff Riders found the end-zone for the first time in the half as David Bowie hooked up with Randy Hymes for a four-yard touchdown pass to make it 37-27. The game-changing moment came when Abilene was looking to close the gap with under five minutes remaining but LB Johnny Anderson intercepted Bowie returning it back 44 yards for the touchdown and eventually sealing the win for Corpus Christi at 44-35.

Corpus QB Cory Miles finished throwing for 122 yards and one touchdown as Toric Goins caught four passes for 72 yards. Abilene QB David Bowie threw for 125 yards and four touchdowns but he did throw four interceptions and was sacked once. Fred Howze led all Ruff Riders receivers with four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Abilene remains on the road for another week to face San Angelo on Saturday, June 27 in hopes of sealing a home playoff game. As a reminder, the Ruff Riders game versus Odessa on July 4th has been changed to a start time of 6:30 p.m. for fans to catch post-game fireworks.

Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the Abilene Ruff Riders front office at (325) 677 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the Abilene Ruff Riders at www.abileneruffriders.com.



Indoor Football League Stories from June 22, 2009


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