Post by DiamondThief on Mar 25, 2017 2:14:13 GMT -8
3/24/17 --
SPOKANE, WA - The Spokane Empire forced two first-quarter turnovers to take an early lead, and held off the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles for a 53-36 Intense Conference win in week 6.
The Empire scored on their first possession of the game, driving 45 yards in two plays, capped by a 15 yard strike from quarterback Charles Dowdell to wide receiver Devonn Brown. After recovering James Calhoun's fumble on Salt Lake's ensuing possession, the Empire went up 10- on a 30-yard field goal from Craig Peterson. On the Screaming Eagles' next drive, linebacker Pasquale Vacchio intercepted Salt Lake quarterback Verlon Reed to set up Dowdell's 24-yard pass to Brown. Suddenly, the Empire were up 17-0.
Salt Lake has turned the ball over twice in the first quarter of each of their three losses this season.
The Screaming Eagles got on the board early in the second quarter on a 10-yard pass from Reed to running back Breon Allen. They added a 35-yard field goal from Trent Andrus with 3:18 left in the quarter, and nearly pulled to within a touchdown at the end of the half, but were unable to convert on their final drive.
Salt Lake pulled to within 24-16 on the first drive of the second half on a 31-yard pass from Reed to wide receiver Cy Strahm, but the extra point attempt was blocked and returned by John Hardy-Tuliau for a two-point conversion, to extend the Empire's lead to 26-16.
The teams traded scores through the second half, as the Empire sealed the win with an eight-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left.
Spokane held an edge in first downs (17-11), while the Screaming Eagles were slightly better in total offense (235-222 yards). What really hurt the Screaming Eagles were the nine accepted penalties for 59 yards. The Empire were penalized just twice for 38 yards.
Dowdell, last week's IFL Offensive Player of the Week, completed eight of 18 passes for 102 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He rushed nine times for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Mulku Kalokoh had 12 runs for 56 yards and two scores. Brown caught four passes for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while fellow wideout Samuel Charles had two grabs for 29 yards and a touchdown. Hardy-Tuliau had an interception to go with his team-leading nine tackles and Junior Alexis recovered a fumble. Lineman Nick Haag recorded a sack.
Reed was largely effective, completing 22 of 34 passes for 237 passes, five touchdowns and two picks. Strahm led all receivers iwth seven catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Allen had six receptions for 71 yards and two scores. Calhoun registered six grabs for 51 yards, while Dorian Buford had three catches for 33 yards and a touchdown in his first action of the season for the Screaming Eagles. Rashad Green had an interception for Salt Lake.
The Empire (4-1) will host the Nebraska Danger (3-2) on April 1 with a 7 p.m. (PT) kickoff. The Screaming Eagles (1-3) are back in action on March 31 at home against the Colorado Crush (0-5). Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (PT). Both of those games, as well as all of the leagues games this season are available for streaming on the IFL's Youtube channel.
- ANM
(Photo by David Hein/SCtoC)
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