Kendall Owens Leads River Monsters Past Warhorses

The Northern Kentucky River Monsters (2-1) defeated the Bluegrass Warhorses (0-3) 32-23 on Sunday at the Bank of Kentucky Center.

Kendall Owens, River Monsters running back, ran for a season high 92 yards on 30 attempts and two touchdowns.

"I was just focused on following my blockers," Owens said. "They did a great job blocking and all I had to do was run through the holes."

In the previous two games, the River Monsters rushed for a total of 99 yards as a team. Owens was seven yards short of the River Monsters total in just one game.

"Kendall has been so good in practice and today was going to be the day we broke him out," River Monster's head coach, Brian Schmidt said. "I have never had an indoor game where my running back had 30 carriers and 92 yards. He played great."

T.J. Harris anchored the River Monsters defense with three interceptions. Harris picked off Warhorses' quarterback, David Body, on their first and last drives of the game, helping seal the deal for the River Monsters.

David James also picked off Boyd in the third quarter and returned it for a touchdown.

"In six years of being a professional coach in this indoor league, it was the best defensive performance I have

ever been a part of," Schmidt said. "I was joking with my defensive coordinator and said that is why you are here."

Harris picked off Boyd with a little more than a minute left to go in the game. Boyd was looking to go deep to keep the Warhorses in the game, but Harris had a different idea. The interception was caught on the River Monster's own 4 yard line.

River Monsters' ground and pound offensive did not stop in the final minute, even when they were backed up near their own end zone. Kyle James, River Monsters quarterback, scrambled for a 25 yard gain, sealing the dear for the River Monsters.

The River Monsters have a bye next week but return to the field to take on the Marion Blue Racers on Sunday, March 2, at Marion. They will return to the Bank of Kentucky Center on Saturday, March 15, to take on the Dayton Sharks.

Warhorses		River Monsters
23	Score	32
8	First Downs	15
18 / 44	Rushes / Yards	34 / 145
89	Pass Yards	47
27 / 13 / 4	Passes - Att / Comp / Int	15 / 5 /3
45 / 133	Total Offensive Plays / Yards	50 / 192
0 / 0	Fumble Returns / Yards	0 / 0
1 / 11	MFG Returns / Yards	0 / 0
2 / 67	Kickoff Returns / Yards	2 / 51
3 / 22	Interception Returns / Yards	4 / 43
1 / 0	Fumbles / Lost	0 / 0
5 / 30	Penalties / Yards	1 / 5
21:56	Possession Time	24:17