HUNTINGTON, W.

Friday, May 25, 2001

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – It’s top vs. bottom, but it will be on the home turf.

The National Indoor Football League’s best team, the Johnstown J-Dogs, invade the Huntington Civic Arena in a special Friday night game against the River Cities LocoMotives.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as the 6-1 J-Dogs battle the 1-6 Locomotives.

Johnstown is 3-1 in the Eastern Division and its 6-1 record ties with Rapid City, S.D., for the best overall mark.

The J-Dogs have already played River Cities twice and have racked up 105 points with wins of 54-27 and 51-8. Both games were played at Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, Pa. The J-Dogs are 6-0 at home and have scored 352 points on the season.

The LocoMotives one win this season came at home and new quarterback Ray Marlow has given the offense some spark since taking over the helm the last two games.

LocoMotives coach Melvin Cunningham knows the team is in for another tough battle.

"There’s not better way to gauge your program than to play against the best and they’re the lead dog. They’re leading the pack," Cunningham said.

Leading the J-Dogs offense are wide receiver Quenteen Robinson and running back Lamonte Coleman.

In the first meeting, Coleman ran 20 times for 97 yards and three touchdowns while Robinson had six receptions for 102 yards and two scores. In the second game, Coleman had 17 rushes for 83 yards and two score with Robinson getting three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown.

NOTE: Tri-State area mascots will be on hand to entertain fans at Friday’s game . They also will be involved in a touch football game at halftime. … One lucky fan will win two ticketes to this Sunday’s NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 race. The winner will come from the Toss-A-Ball contest at halftime.