Twisters Lose Tough One
Published on May 3, 2003 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
The Arkansas Twisters led at halftime, but the Macon Knights pulled away in the second half, and defeated the Twisters 63-49 Saturday night at the Macon Coliseum.
Quarterback Ricky Hebert threw for 5 touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown of his own to lead the way for Arkansas. Kevin Williams, filling in as offensive specialist for the injured Ted Alford, had two touchdown receptions, and one rushing TD as well to lead the receiving corps.
Things started out shaky for the Twisters, as Macon's Jason Berger forced a fumble on the first play of the game, recovered by Byron Douzart for an early touchdown for the Knights. Wesley Wilson's extra point made it a 7-0 lead for Macon.
The Twisters countered on its next possession, as Ricky Hebert fired a touchdown pass to Anthony Eubanks. Mark Norris added the PAT to tie the score at 7-7.
Macon came right back, as quarterback Sean Peterson found Anthony Snead for a 27-yard score to give Macon a 14-7 lead.
Lennie Johnson then brought the Twisters back with a 28-yard TD reception to tie it at 14-14 at the end of one quarter. With the TD reception, Johnson becomes only the second player in AF2 history to score 500 career points.
In the second frame, Peterson gave Macon the lead again, with a touchdown pass to Jacques Rumph. Wilson's kick made it a 21-14 advantage for the Knights.
On the ensuing possession, Kevin Williams found the end zone with an 18-yard reception from Hebert. Mark Norris' extra point again knotted the score at 21-21.
Then a key play on defense gave Arkansas the advantage, as Marcus Campbell forced a fumble, which was returned by Anthony Eubanks to the Macon 1-yard line. It didn't take Arkansas long to capitalize, as Kevin Williams punched it in from the 1 to give the Twisters their first lead of the game at 28-21.
Macon then responded, as Rumph scored his second touchdown of the game, this time rushing it in from 5 yards out, to tie it once again at 28-28 with only 43 seconds left in the half.
But Lennie Johnson enabled the Twisters to get a quick score before halftime, as he returned the kickoff back near midfield. Ricky Hebert then got the 6 points for Arkansas, breaking the plane of the goal with 6 ticks left on the clock. Mark Norris split the uprights for the fourth time, and the Twisters headed into the locker room with a 35-28 lead.
Macon kicked off the second half by tying the score again at 35-35, as Byron Douzart rushed it in on a 5-yard score.
Ricky Hebert and Kevin Williams then hooked up for the second time as Arkansas jumped ahead one more time at 42-35.
But Macon would not go away, as Sean Peterson rushed it in from 3 yards out to make it 42-42.
Then, on a key stop, the Macon defense pinned the Twisters back, forcing a 55-yard field goal attempt by Mark Norris. Norris missed, and Jacques Rumph returned it off of the net 57 yards to give Macon the lead 49-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Arkansas would tie it early in the fourth quarter, as Anthony Eubanks hauled in another TD reception from Ricky Hebert to tie it for the last time at 49-49.
Jacques Rumph then put Macon ahead for good with 9:01 remaining in the game, catching another TD from Peterson. Wesley Wilson's extra point made it 56-49.
After stopping Arkansas on 4 straight downs, Byron Douzart added an insurance touchdown from 1 yard away to set the final at 63-49.
Both kickers were perfect on extra points, as Wesley Wilson was 9-for-9 for Macon and Mark Norris hit 7 of 7 for the Twisters.
The Twisters now stand at 2-3, while Macon improves to 4-1. Arkansas returns home next weekend to host the Memphis Xplorers on Saturday, May 10th. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Alltel Arena.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 3, 2003
- Twisters Lose Tough One - Arkansas Diamonds
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.
