Empire Remains Atop Intense Conference, Defeats Rattlers 60-51
April 23, 2017 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
Phoenix, Arizona - The Empire (6-2) defeated the Arizona Rattlers (4-4) in Week 10 of the 2017 IFL regular season by a final score of 60-51 at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Saturday night.
After an unsuccessful opening drive by Spokane, the Empire defense had backed up Arizona's offense into their own endzone when linebacker Andrew Jackson sacked Arizona quarterback Cody Sokol in the endzone to record the first two points of the game. Spokane would then quickly strike again with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Trevor Kennedy after being set up by a 28-yard grab by wide receiver Devonn Brown to put Spokane up by nine just five minutes into the game.
The Empire defense continued to dominate in the first quarter holding Arizona to only a field goal as time expired in the first quarter with an 18-yard field goal by kicker Sawyer Petre after linebacker Pasquale Vacchio tackled Arizona running back Darrell Monroe in the backfield for a loss of six yards.
Wide receiver Devonn Brown opened up the second quarter of play with another long catch from quarterback Charles Dowdell for 35-yards, his longest catch of the night, to take Spokane's lead to 12 points. Devonn Brown finished the first half with four catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns for the Empire.
The Empire and Rattlers would trade scores through the remainder of the second quarter leaving the Empire with only a 28-23 lead going into halftime.
Arizona would receive the second half kickoff and former Spokane Shock receiver now Rattlers wide receiver Anthony Amos opened up the scoring with a 2-yard run giving Arizona their first lead of the game. Spokane would come right back after a slew of penalties to Arizona to keep the Empire drive alive, quarterback Charles Dowdell found wide receiver Bryan Pray laid out across the end line for a difficult 13-yard catch for the Empire's first touchdown of the second half.
Much like the second quarter, both team's offense were commanding the defense. In the fourth quarter, there were five lead changes. Amongst the lead changes Spokane running back Trevor Kennedy recorded Spokane's first kick return of the season with a 54-yard dash to the endzone.
Halfway through the 4th quarter, Arizona made another long pass to wide receiver Anthony Amos for his third touchdown on the night. Spokane would go back on top when Empire quarterback Charles Dowdell would return the favor with his own long pass (32 yards) to wide receiver Samuel Charles less than two minutes after Arizona's touchdown. With this touchdown Spokane quarterback Charles Dowdell hit four different receivers for scores on the night.
The Empire defense would come up with one final stop with 3:10 left to go, linebacker Andrew Jackson deflected the ball on an Arizona fourth down with 15 yards to go to set up kicker Craig Peterson's go ahead field goal from 20 yards with just under a minute to go to seal the win for Spokane.
Spokane quarterback Charles Dowdell completed 13-of-24 pass attempts for 204 yards and six touchdowns behind offensive line, Darren Pinnock, Myniya Smith, and Bill Vavau that held Arizona to zero sacks on the night. Offensively, Devonn Brown led the team in receiving with five catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns and running back Trevor Kennedy led the charge on the ground with 83 yards.
Defensively, the Empire was led by Andrew Jackson and John Hardy-Tuliau with a combined 16 total tackles. The Empire defense also put pressure on Arizona quarterback Cody Sokol all game long upfront but gave up a handful of long passes in the secondary. Cody Sokol completed 22-of-34 for 252 yards and six touchdowns. All but one of Arizona's touchdown catches was over 15 yards.
---------- NEXT HOME GAME
The Empire will return home to the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Week 11 to take on the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles for their final regular season matchup at the Arena on Sunday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. PT (MVP Club doors at 2:30, general doors at 3:00)
Next weekend's game will be broadcast live on the IFL's YouTube Channel and also available on 700 ESPN and 105.3 FM radio in Spokane with Larry Weir on the call. To purchase tickets go to Ticketswest.com or call 800-325-SEAT or contact the Empire ticket office at 509-242-7460.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 23, 2017
- Empire Remains Atop Intense Conference, Defeats Rattlers 60-51 - Spokane Empire
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