Twisters Win First-Ever Home Playoff Game, Head To Quad City
Published on August 2, 2003 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
The Arkansas Twisters scored 13 unanswered points and held off the Bakersfield Blitz 36-28 Saturday night in their first-ever playoff game at the Alltel Arena. With the win, the Twisters advance to the second round of the Arena Cup Playoffs to face the Quad City Steamwheelers.
QB Ricky Hebert completed 13 of 24 passes for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns, while OS Kevin Williams caught 5 for 86 and 2 scores to lead the way for the Twisters. Ryan Sloth caught 5 for 78 and 2 TD's, and Eric Mahanke hauled in 7 for 67 yards in the loss for Bakersfield.
Sloth opened up the scoring at 12:55 of the first for Bakersfield, catching a 17 yard pass from QB Chad Elliott to give Bakersfield the early 7-0 edge. That would be all the scoring until 10:18 of the second quarter, when Jon Baker connected on a 30-yard field goal to extend the Blitz lead to 10-0.
Arkansas responded at 8:12, as Lennie Johnson hauled in a 35 yard touchdown strike from Ricky Hebert. The extra point was no good, so Bakersfield led 10-6.
Vernon Robiskie then gave the Twisters their first lead of the game with 1:52, rumbling in from 7 yards out to make it a 12-10 game. Mark Norris added the extra point to give Arkansas a 13-10 lead at the half.
The second half would start just like the first half ended, as Ricky Hebert punched it in from 2 yards away to extend the Twisters lead. The two point conversion attempt by Kahlil Carter was no good, so the score remained 19-10 in favor of the Twisters.
Then, at 4:35 of the third frame, Hebert fired a bomb 45 yards to Kevin Williams for another touchdown to give the Twisters a double-digit lead. Mark Norris' extra point was good, and the Arkansas led 26-10.
Bakersfield would then score to conclude the third quarter, as Nick Onaindia got a 13 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion pass was incomplete, and Arkansas led 26-16 at the end of three quarters.
Hebert would then connect with Kevin Williams again early in the fourth on a 19 yard pass at 11:49 of the frame. Mark Norris split the uprights on the point after, and the Twisters' lead grew to 17 at 33-16.
The Blitz would respond at 7:04, as QB Jeff Dover hit receiever Ryan Sloth on a 6 yard score. Jon Baker's extra point missed wide left, and Arkansas' lead was trimmed to 11 at 33-22.
Then, Bakersfield would strike again at 5:15. Following a Delvin Myles interception, Nick Onaindia got his second rushing TD of the game, this one from 2 yards out to pull the Blitz within 5 at 33-28. The two point attempt was intercepted by Anthony Eubanks, preserving the lead for Arkansas.
Mark Norris would then add a huge insurance field goal with just 54 seconds remaining to secure the win for the Twisters. Faced with a 4th-and-long, Norris came in and drilled a 46-yarder to give the Twisters the 8-point advantage at set the final at 36-28.
Ricky Hebert was awarded Game MVP honors, while Kahlil Carter's interception and 6 passes defended won him ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Lennie Johnson garnered Game Ironman Honors, with 54 yards receiving and 1 touchdown on offense and some big hits on defense.
The win was the first playoff win in team history for Arkansas and head coach Gary Anderson, and it puts the Twisters in the second round of the AF2 Arena Cup Playoffs. Arkansas will travel to Quad City next weekend in a huge showdown against the Steamwheelers.
Indoor Football League Stories from August 2, 2003
- Twisters Win First-Ever Home Playoff Game, Head To Quad City - Arkansas Diamonds
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