Twisters finish what they start; get above .500 with win over Corpus Christi
May 31, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(North Little Rock, AR) - The Arkansas jumped on Corpus Christi from the start of their game at Alltel Arena, and held on in the end to win 51-44 in front of 5094.
The win improves the Twisters' record to 5-4, the first time the team has been above .500 on the season.
The Twisters scored right away on the first play from scrimmage when Kyle Rowley hit Chris Denney on a 41 yard scoring play and the extra point put Arkansas up 7-0. The Twisters added to their lead when Jamie Hattley intercepted Fran Johnson's pass on the next drive and returned it 44 yards for the score to put the Twisters up by two scores.
Johnson was sacked by Reggie Cooley on fourth down to give the Twisters ball back on the next drive. Arkansas cashed in when Denney caught his second touchdown of the game and the extra point put Arkansas up 21-0 after one.
Corpus Christi got on the board to start the second quarter when Johnson punched in a one yard run and cut the score to 21-6. After the Twisters kicked a field goal to go up 24-6, the Sharks answered with a 31 yard scoring play to Jonathon Graham and the extra point pulled Corpus Christi within 24-13.
Both teams exchanged scores on the next two possessions. With the score set at 30-20 late in the first half, Rowley found Denney for the third time and Arkansas went into the locker room with a 37-20 halftime lead.
The Sharks spent the second half chipping away at the lead. After a Henry Hall return set Corpus Christi up at mid-field, Johnson drove the Sharks down the rest of the way and found Kenyada Tatum for a nine yard score. Tatum converted for two points to pull the Sharks within nine.
Arkansas answered with 14 straight points. Rowley found Denney on both scoring plays to put the Twisters up 51-28 at the end of the third quarter.
Corpus Christi wouldn't go away quietly. Booker Jenkins scored on a four yard run to pull the Sharks within 15. After the Twisters missed a field goal, the Sharks scored on a 21 yard scoring play from Johnson to Tatum to pull with 51-44.
The Twisters never gave the ball back and ran out the remaining time on the clock. The pivotal play came when Jamaal Perry caught a fourth down pass and jumped for the first down to give the Twisters a new set of downs to finish running the clock.
Johnson finished the game by completing 15 of 30 pass attempts for 176 yards, five total touchdowns and an interception. Jonathon Graham led the Sharks with eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Tatum added six catches and two touchdowns. Ironman of the year candidate Ivory McCann had 6.0 tackles and three pass breakups. Henry Hall added a game high 8.5 tackles.
Rowley completed 23 of 39 pass attempts for 268 yards and six touchdowns. Denney led the Twisters with seven catches for 128 yards and five touchdowns. Denney raised his touchdown total to 16. Perry finished with a game high nine catches and 79 yards. Jon Schoonover had six catches and Null added a touchdown catch. Defensively, Donte Williams finished with 7.0 tackles and a pass breakup. Hattley had 3.5 tackles and the 44 yard interception return for a touchdown and Cooley added his second sack of the season.
The Twisters are back in action on Saturday, June 7th at Amarillo.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from May 31, 2008
- BattleWings topple Tulsa, 52-45 - Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
- Steamwheelers Sink âStormers in 67-64 Shootout - Iowa Barnstormers
- Firecats explode past ThunderBirds - Florida Firecats
- Twisters finish what they start; get above .500 with win over Corpus Christi - Arkansas Diamonds
- Dawgz lose to Vipers - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Thunder Strike Late To Beat Albany 44-31 - Albany Firebirds
- Week 10: Sunday Matchup - af2
- Blizzard Sinks Pirates - Green Bay Blizzard
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.
