Weekly Horsemen update

05/07/03 Horsemen Press Release

THIS WEEK’S GAME:
SATURDAY, MAY 10 VS. EVANSVILLE, 7:30 PM, RUPP ARENA

TOP STORY – HORSEMEN SMASH RAYS FOR 4 IN A ROW; NEXT FACE BLUE CATS AND FORMER HOOSIER WILLIAMS

The Lexington Horsemen won their fourth straight game by soundly defeating division rival Myrtle Beach 57-28 on May 3 in Rupp Arena. Lexington (4-1, 3-0) got a quick start out of the gate on Kentucky Derby day, jumping out to a 30-0 lead on the Stingrays (2-4, 2-3) en route to posting a 36-7 halftime score.  WR Dougie Allen caught three touchdown passes from QB Dusty Bonner, who continues to post huge numbers for the Horsemen. Bonner finished the day 17 of 22 for 204 yards and six touchdowns, finding Carlos Johnson in the end zone twice and Martez Johnson once to go with Allen’s three scoring receptions.  

This was a game that was decided early, with the Horsemen scoring on every possession except their final one, in which they ran out the clock. The Horsemen also put up an outstanding defensive effort, led by Champ Kelly, who notched his fourth interception in as many games when he picked off a Chris Weibel pass on Myrtle Beach’s opening drive of the game and returned it 31 yards, setting up Lexington’s first touchdown of the evening.  Overall, the Horsemen defense held the Stingrays to a mere 18 passing yards for the game.

The victory keeps Lexington in sole possession of second place in the Atlantic East division standings, still chasing undefeated Ohio Valley, who pays a visit to Rupp Arena on May 24.  Lexington and Ohio Valley are currently the only teams in the division with winning records, and are the only teams still undefeated in division play. The loss drops Myrtle to fifth place in the standings, a half game behind the Tennessee RiverHawks.

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT – EVANSVILLE BLUE CATS

The Evansville Blue Cats have had a frustrating year so far, and are a highly talented team, despite their 0-6 record (0-5 conference).  The Cats have lost four of their six games by 10 points or less, with their other two losses coming to the undefeated and defending champion Ohio Valley Greyhounds.

The Blue Cats are led by RB Levron Williams, who UK fans from the area will remember as the bruising tailback from the University of Indiana who helped the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in rushing in 2000 and 2001. As a senior in 2001, Williams led Indiana in rushing with 1,401 yards on 212 carries, including an 85-yard day against Kentucky in the Wildcats’ final game of the 2001 season.  Williams finished his career as a Hoosier in fifth place for total career yards.  After a stint in the San Diego Chargers’ training camp, Williams landed with Evansville, where he is currently among the league leaders in total scoring, with 70 points on the year (Horsemen RB Martez Johnson is close behind with 66).

The Blue Cats feature former Kansas Jayhawk Akili Roberson under center, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the year. Roberson’s favorite target has been WR Tyrone Browning, who is averaging 47.4 receiving yards per game.

Defensively, Evansville lines up the sticky-fingered Keith Ladder in the backfield.  Ladder has four interceptions and 10 passes defended on the season, putting him among the league leaders in both categories.  The Blue Cats rank ninth in the league in pass defense for the year.

BLUE CATS SEASON TO DATE

3/22    at Fort Wayne            L 40-41
3/29    vs. Beaumont            L 39-49
4/5      at Ohio Valley            L 19-55
4/12    vs. Tennessee            L 23-32
4/26    vs. Myrtle Beach            L 39-47
5/4      vs. Ohio Valley            L 22-39

HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS

The Horsemen continue to make their presence felt in a number of league statistical categories.  As a team, Lexington ranks third overall in point differential (+15.20 per game), trailing only Ohio Valley and Lake Charles, and is fourth overall in the NIFL computer rankings.

Individually, there are Horsemen among the league leaders in a wide range of statistical categories.  With yet another 200-yard game last week, QB Dusty Bonner remains a fixture among the leading quarterbacks in the league.  Bonner is currently third in the NIFL in pass rating (109.0) and passing yards (205.2 per game).  Bonner is also ranked fourth in the league in total offense (209.8 yards per game), and is fifth in passing touchdowns (22).

WR Dougie Allen remains among the NIFL statistical leaders as well.  Allen still leads the league in kickoff return average (25.4 yards per return) and return touchdowns (3).  Additionally, he is currently ranked fourth in all-purpose yards per game, with 123.2.

RB Martez Johnson continues his strong play, as he is currently ranked third in the league in average scoring (13.2 PPG), and is eighth in rushing (40.6 YPG).

Defensively, DB Ray McLaurin is tied for second in the league in passes defended with 11, while Champ Kelly is fourth in interceptions per game, averaging 0.80 picks per contest.

A list of statistical leaders featuring Horsemen is attached. For full Horsemen statistics, please go to: https://nationalindoorfootballleague.net/2003/stats/LE.HTM

OTHER NEWS

Upper and lower level tickets are still available for the Horsemen’s game against the Blue Cats, which will be broadcast live on WLAP 630 AM.