Post by DiamondThief on Apr 14, 2017 21:05:57 GMT -8
4/14/17 --
SPOKANE, WA - Defense can make a difference in the IFL. That is what differentiates this league (and others) from the Arena Football League.
the Spokane Empire's defense stepped pretty much throughout the contest, as they blanked the Colorado Crush in the first and fourth quarters en route to an Intense Conference 36-24 win.
Already leading 26-24 toward the end of the third quarter, the Empire scored the final 10 points of the game, The first was on a 20-yard field goal by Craig Peterson. They then scored on a three-yard pass from Charles Dowdell to Bryan Pray with 4:02 left.
It was a defensive struggle for much of the game. Neither team scored in the first quarter, which had not happened this season in the IFL this season
On the opening play of the second quarter, the Empire opened the scoring with a 19 yard field goal from Craig Peterson. The Crush responded with a six-yard pass from Liam Nadler to Christ Gant. The Empire scored twice, on a potential league-long record field goal of 56 yards
Each team's kicker hit a pair of field goals.
The Empire held a 20-11 advantage at the break. The Crush trimmed the Empire lead to 20-17 with 14-minute mark of the third quarter. Prays's three-yard catch from Dowdell drew the Screaming Eagles to 36-24 with 4:02 left. The Crush were unable to surmount the 12-point deficit.
Spokane held definitive advantages in total yards (233-150) and in first downs (16-9). The Crush managed just 46 passing yards. By IFL standards, it was a relatively clean game, with the Crush being penalized seven times for 52 yards and the Empire being flagged four times for 67 yards.
SCtoC's David spoke to Empire head coach Adam Shackleford and running back Trevor Kennedy after the game:
https%3A//soundcloud.com/david-hein-284472566/empire-hc-adam-shackleford-41417-vs-col
https%3A//soundcloud.com/david-hein-284472566/empire-rb-trevor-kennedy-41417-vs-col
Dowdell went 18 of 26 for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 54 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Trevor Kennedy rushed eight times for 49 yards with a trip to the end zone, and caught three passes for 28 yards. Pray had six grabs for 50 yards and two scores, and Samuel Charles had five grabs for 32 yards. Devonn Brown corralled four balls for 26 yards. John Hardy-Tuliau led the Empire in total tackle with seven. John Griggs recorded two sacks, while Nick Haag and Andrew Jackson had 1.5 and 0.5 sacks, respectively.
Nadler completed 50 percent of his passes, nine of 18, for 62 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran four times for 41 yards and a score. Josh Ford rushed six times for 34 yards. Kyle Kaiser was on the receiving end of four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Chris Gant had a receiving touchdown. Ace Clark, who was active all night, finished with 9.5 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Daniel Lindsey had 7.5 total tackles ans a half sack.
The Empire (5-2) will visit the Arizona Rattlers (4-3) in a revival of their AFL rivalry. That game will be April 22 with a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Crush will host the Wichita Falls Nighthawks (7-1) on April 21 at 5 p.m. All times are pacific time. 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
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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