Post by DiamondThief on Apr 22, 2017 22:54:14 GMT -8
4/22/17 --
PHOENIX, AZ - Round one of the rekindled former Arena Football League rivalry between Spokane and Arizona goes to the Empire.
Spokane scored 25 fourth-quarter points to claim the 60-51 victory on Saturday night.
Down 37-35 entering the fourth quarter, The Empire pulled ahead on an eight-yard pass from Charles Dowdell to Bryan Pray. The Rattlers bit back on Cody Sokol's 19-yard strike to Anthony Amos. Spokane recaptured the lead when Trevor Kennedy returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a score. Sokol found Amos again for 21 yards and the Rattlers had a 51-49 lead midway through the fourth.
The Empire took the lead for good a minute later on Dowdell's 32-yard pass to Samuel Charles. They iced the game in the final minute on Craig Peterson's 21-yard field goal.
Spokane led 28-23 at halftime.
The Rattlers gained 263 total yards to the Empire's 221, and had 18 first downs to the Empire's 14. Spokane was flagged 11 times for 56 yards. Arizona committed six infractions for 48 yards. Time of possession was nearly identical with the Rattlers holding a 30:05 to 29:55 advantage.
Dowdell completed 13 of 24 passes for 204 yards and six touchdowns. Kennedy scored a trifecta by finding the end zone in three different ways; rushing, receiving and his kickoff return. Devonn Brown had five receptions for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Pray had six catches for 52 yards and two scores. Andrew Jackson had eight total tackles and a sack, while John Hardy Tuliau had 6.5 total tackles and an interception for Spokane.
Sokol went 22 of 34 for 252 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. Jamal Miles let the Rattlers in receiving with eight catches for 89 yards. Amos caught five balls for 77 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score. Fred Willisma caught seven passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns, while Darrell Monroe had two receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. Arkeith Brown and Justin Shirk each had six total tackles for Arizona.
The Empire (6-2) will host the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (1-7) on April 30 at 3 p.m. The Rattlers (4-4) will be at home against the Green Bay Blizzard (2-7) on April 29 at 6:05 p.m. 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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