HOPOVAC FIELD GOAL LIFTS THUNDER PAST KATY 66-63

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Junior Journalist: Thunder Kills Katy Curse

By Randy Shortnacy
The Sports Kings

FRISCO, Tex (March 9, 2008) - The Frisco Thunder shocked the Intense Football League again Sunday afternoon as they knocked off the Katy Ruff Riders 66-63 with a 17-yard field goal from Dennis Hopovac with no time left on the clock before 1,973 at the Deja Blue Arena in the Dr Pepper Star Center.

The Ruff Riders scored 28 points in the fourth quarter and tied the game up at 63 all on a Toric Goins 18 yard touchdown pass from Albert Higgs with only 24 seconds remaining. Then Frisco quarterback Wes Cooper set up shop and drove the Thunder 29 yards with pass interference in the end zone setting up the field goal attempt. 

It was the Thunder’s first victory over Katy in three tries.

The win over Katy was the first time that the Thunder had ever recorded a victory doing it in style.

Cooper had another great day completing 30 of 39 for 358 yards and six touchdowns. Cooper has had an unbelievable start at the helm for Frisco with 15 touchdowns in two games. 

Richard Morris was Cooper’s favorite receiver pulling down 14 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Frisco running back Ricky Madison had a breakout game as well, scoring three touchdowns and tacked on 48 all-purpose yards.

Katy took the early lead after Jamaal Lord scampered in from three yards out for the first of his four touchdowns. Darren Brown added the point after and gave the Ruff Riders the early 7-0 lead. 

Frisco wasted no time answering with 5:47 left in the first the Cooper and Morris duo connected on a 10-yard pass play; Hopovac added the point after and evened the score at 7-7. Both teams went on to add a touchdown and the scored was deadlocked at 14 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the lead change hands twice and after it was all said and done the crowd saw the second quarter end just as the first did in a 28 – 28 tie at the half. 

Cooper and Morris teamed up again to kick the second half off on a 15 yard touchdown pass that capped off a four play drive the Hopovac kick was good and the Thunder grabbed the 35-28 lead. Madison pushed the Thunder lead to 49-35 after busting in from two yards out giving Frisco the lead after three.

The Frisco Thunder are at home Sunday as they go for win number three and play host to the Alaska Wild, kickoff set for 5 p.m.