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Central Valley defeats Tri-Cities

May 2, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release


Kennewick, Wash. - When the Tri-Cities Fever (0-6) scored on their opening kickoff after Central Valley (3-3) botched the return, the fans knew they were witnessing a different team.

First time Head Coach Pat O'Hara said in his opening press conference, "You will see a different team on Saturday. We will play hard and to the whistle every play until the game is over." Ask any person in that arena and they will tell you; he was right.

Through the first quarter of play, the Fever scored twice, one special teams touchdown to open the game as WR Chase Reed (6-71 rec.; 3-3 2 TD rushing) recovered a loose ball in the endzone for the score, and then one 21-yard touchdown from QB Jimmy Collins (23-44-214; 1 TD) to WR Tremayne Kirkland (5-53; 1 TD) with the quarter ending 14-16 in favor of Central Valley.

The second quarter saw five lead changes as both team's offenses were rarely halted. Reed and RB BA Harrell (3-2; 1 TD) ran in one touchdown apiece, capitalizing on five and seven play drives, and K Michael Braunstein (3-4 FG; 5-5 PAT) tacked on one of his three field goals right before half to take the 31-30.

The third quarter saw more short plays, and lots of clock management, as both teams struggled to cross the goal line. Braunstein added a 21-yard and 24-yard field goal, while Central Valley only added one touchdown (failed PAT) as the Fever continued to lead at the end of three; 37-36.

Central Valley struck first in the fourth and refused to relinquish the lead, scoring 21 unanswered points. Reed added his last touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run as the Fever gave it their all to get back into the game, but was to little to late as Central Valley recovered the onside kick and finished the game with a buzzer beating score.

Fever were lead defensively by DB Jamie Hattley with 7.5 total tackles (7 solo, 1 ast.) and one breakup. Central Valley QB Murrietta was harassed all night as DL Ben Alexander tacked on 2.0 sacks and LB Jo'Artis Ratti added 1.0 sack.

WR/LB Phil Goodman became the second Fever player to earn a player of the game award by being voted the JLS Ironman of the Game. Goodman accumulated 3.0 total tackles (2 solo, 2 ast.) and pulled in a team high 11 receptions for 82-yards.

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