ThunderStrike GameDay
May 27, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Frisco Thunder News Release
KATY, Tex. (May 24, 2008) -- It's hard to pinpoint exactly when things started going south for the Frisco Thunder Saturday night in Katy.
Was is when the Thunder couldn't take advantage of Ruff Rider turnovers or when Katy capitalized on Frisco mistakes? The inevitable blown call at the critical juncture? The inability to get a stop on defense or being unable to finish off a drive with points?
No matter. The final results still would have been an exasperating 57-43 loss to Katy that was Frisco's third in fourth games on this season-ending seven game road trip.
The resurgent Ruff Riders (4-5) won their third straight as Frisco (6-5) slipped from third place to fourth behind CenTex in the race for the Intense Football League's post-season playoff seeding.
Jermaine Alfred threw four touchdown passes and ran for another while Carlos Alsup scored three times for Katy, which capitalized on a season-high six Frisco turnovers.
``The game spoke for itself,'' said Frisco coach Troy Esprit.``We made some bad decisions out there and they came back to haunt us. That's it.''
Katy scored on four possessions after Thunder turnovers, helping them turn an early 14-7 deficit into a 27-14 advantage early in the third quarter. Frisco closed to six points twice in the fourth quarter, but could pull no closer.
Backup quarterback Wes St Aubin (10-18-1, 116 yards) took over for injured starter Wes Cooper (12-23-1, 132 yards and 2 TD) in the second half and registered four touchdown passes.
After Katy took a 30-17 lead, St. Aubin produced consecutive scoring drives and had the Thunder offense in its best rhythm as it traded scores with the Ruff Riders before an officiating call gave the home team a chance to pull away for good.
Trailing 43-30, Frisco was driving again when officials rules St. Aubin fumbled on a sack when he appeared to hit the ground first. Katy scored two plays later and was ahead by 20.
Frisco's defense registered produced three early turnovers and a scoreless opener quarter, but the Thunder could only manage a 7-0 lead from them.
After Shaylon Carter's interception set up a Cooper to Daron Lawrence touchdown, Frisco had a chance to go up two scores after Blake Timmons' fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, but Jerrell Pippens registered the first of his two interceptions to end to threat, and Katy tied the game five plays later on an Alfred to Alsup six-yarder.
Lawrence's second score for Cooper was answered with an Alsup 11-yard run. After a Frisco fumble, Katy took a 20-14 lead on Juan Reese's 4-yard run.
With Richard Morris and Jason Deml out, Lawrence responded with a four-touchdown effort in his 7-catch, 83-yard night. Moses Harris had eight catches for 103 yards, while Guy Fernandez finished with six catches for 59 yards and one score. Antwuan Andrew, starting in place of Ricky Madison at running back, rushed for 31 yards and caught a two-yard touchdown pass.
Chris Glenn led the defense with 6.5 tackles, while Timmons followed with 5.5. Michael Larry registered a fumble recovery.
Alfred threw his four touchdown passes to four different receivers. Alsup rushed for 61 yards.
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Intense Football League Stories from May 27, 2008
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