2016 Home Opener & Dollar Night Saturday, February 27th at Spokane Arena
February 23, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Empire will make their debut at Spokane Arena in Week 2 of the 2016 IFL regular season as they host the Wichita Falls Nighthawks this Saturday, February 27th for their "Home Opener & Dollar Night" sponsored by George Gee Kia and Big 99.9 FM Coyote Country. Hot dogs, soda, and ice-cream will be available at arena concessions for $1 each. The first 5,000 fans through doors at 6:00 p.m. will receive a keychain wooden train whistle courtesy of George Gee Kia. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT.
The Empire made a strong statement in their Week 1 match-up against Tri-Cities as they posted a league-high 60 total points led by quarterback Charles Dowdell's seven touchdown performance (six passing, one rushing).
Spokane was able to jump out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to back-to-back fumbled snaps by the Fever that led to Empire recoveries. The two teams would battle back and forth throughout the game until a key moment down the stretch would come on an eight-point series for the Empire. After a one-play scoring drive via a 16-yard rushing score by Kennedy, Spokane would convert the point after attempt and then score the first rouge point of the 2016 IFL season by tackling the Fever return man in his own end zone to take a 47-39 lead.
After a Fever touchdown pass and a failed two-point conversion attempt in the final quarter of play, Spokane would seize the opportunity to extend their lead. On what would be the catch of the game, Empire receiver J.J. Hayes made an incredible one-handed catch in traffic while on a crossing route and take it in for a 21-yard score. Leading 54-45, the Empire would then hold the Fever on fourth-down to set up a 17-yard passing touchdown from Dowdell to receiver Carl Sims. Tri-Cities would score one final time on the night, but another failed two-point conversion and onside kick attempt would allow the Empire to run out the clock and get their first win of the season, 60-51.
The Empire offense showed great balance in Week 1 as the backfield combination of Dowdell and Kennedy recorded 124 rushing yards. Dowdell also completed 12-of-20 pass attempts for 160 yards and six touchdowns to three different receivers on the night (Hayes 3, Sims 2, Charles 1). Rookie running back Trevor Kennedy impressed as he rushed 15 times for 82 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Spokane held the Fever to only 14 net rushing yards which forced Tri-Cities to throw the ball 39 times on the night. They also were able to limit Tri-Cities to 3-of-9 on third down conversions and held the Fever to three field goal attempts (missed one). Empire defensive end Brett Bowers recorded the only sack of the game while defensive back Tyree Robinson recorded 4.5 tackles and two pass break-ups and Robert Brown had a game-high seven total tackles and one pass break-up.
The Wichita Falls Nighthawks will enter Week 2 of the season but take the field for their first game of 2016 after a Week 1 bye. Since the Nighthawks have not yet played their first regular season game, the team does not have to announce their final 25-man roster until Thursday (48-hours prior to the game). As of Monday, February 22nd, however, Wichita Falls only has to release four more players to get down to their 25.
Despite a few final cuts that need to be made, veteran quarterback Charles McCullum (6-2, 205, Stillman) is the anticipated starter for the Nighthawks. The dual-threat quarterback began his indoor career in 2010 with the Kent Predators and has spent time with Everett, Cedar Rapids, and the Nashville Venom of the PIFL. He's spent the last few seasons with Head Coach Bill Back of the Nighthawks in the PIFL, so will have familiarity within Back's system.
Running back Edward Wesley (5-9, 200- TCU) is expected to join McCullumn in the backfield. During his 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons at TCU he rushed 387 times for 2,457 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 314 yards and three scores. After his collegiate career, Wesley spent time with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Kicker Rockne Belmonte (6-0, 225, Northern Michigan) has been one of the best special team players in the IFL the past few seasons. Last season with Cedar Rapids he earned Second Team All-IFL honors and converted a league-high 88.3 percent of his point after attempts and 55 percent of his field goals (22-of-40). In 2014, Belmonte led all kickers with 146 points. He also led the IFL in field goals made (24), converting on 51 percent of his attempts, and 90 percent of his point after attempts.
Unlike the Empires match-up last week against a very young Tri-Cities team that fielded 16 rookies on their 25-man roster, Nighthawk Head Coach Billy Back has recruited an experienced group of players. Of their 29 players currently on roster, five of those are veteran tag players and nine are rookies. That leaves a total of 15 players that are going into their second or third season with professional experience.
Coach Back has recorded four championship seasons in his six years of coaching and brings an impressive record of 60 wins with only 18 losses. Prior to becoming the head coach of the Cincinnati Commandos in 2010, Coach Back spent six seasons playing indoor football in the NIFL, CIFL, AF2 and the IFL.
This week's game will be broadcast live on AM 700 ESPN radio with the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m. with Larry Weir and Keith Osso on the call. The game will also be available for online viewing via IFLLive.TV. After the game, the Empire would like to invite fans to attend the post-game party at The Black Diamond located at 9614 E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley.
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SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets are on sale via TicketsWest box office locations, by phone at 800-325-SEAT (7328), and online at www.TicketsWest.com. For Season, Group, or Suite related tickets call the Empire at 509-242-7462 or visit www.SpokaneEmpire.com for more information.
Indoor Football League Stories from February 23, 2016
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