Empire Fends off Wolves in 51-41 Win
Published on June 5, 2016 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
Spokane Empire Make a Catch vs. the Billings Wolves
(Spokane Empire, Credit: Zach Edwards Photography)
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Empire (11-2, 9-1) defeated the Billings Wolves (6-7, 5-4) by a final score of 51-41 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Spokane's Week 16 win clinches the number one seed in the Intense Conference. The Empire have earned a first-round bye in the playoffs and will host the conference championship game in Spokane.
Billings held the Empire to a turnover on downs on their opening possession, but Spokane responded with their first of three interceptions on the night as defensive back Tyree Robinson recorded the pick on the Wolves' first play from scrimmage. The Empire took a 7-0 first quarter lead after quarterback Charles Dowdell connected with Carl Sims on a six-yard touchdown pass.
The defensive battle continued into the second quarter as the Wolves held Spokane scoreless on two of their three drives. The Empire's only second quarter touchdown came on special teams as Billings attempted a 62-yard field goal that would be returned 57-yards by running back Trevor Kennedy for the score. The Wolves found the end zone twice via runs by quarterback Cory Murphy and had an opportunity to go up by a touchdown after a one-handed interception by defensive back Michael Green, but the Spokane defense dug in and forced Billings to attempt a 23-yard field goal with time winding down that was missed.
After the defensive battle in the first half, the two teams went on to post 65 total points in the second half.
The teams traded scores on their opening possessions of the third quarter before the Wolves recorded their second interception on the night that would lead to a short touchdown run by Chip Reeves and a 27-22 advantage.
Empire defensive back Robert Brown recorded two interceptions in the second half that would each set up offensive scores by Spokane. Billings was able to pull within three points at 41-44 with just over one minute remaining, but the Empire put together a clutch touchdown drive capped off by a swing pass from Dowdell to Josh Ferguson to fend off the Wolves and close out the 51-41 victory.
Spokane quarterback Charles Dowdell completed 25-of-34 pass attempts for 196 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also added five carries for seven yards and one score on the ground. Carl Sims led the Empire receiving effort with seven receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown while Samuel Charles added five catches for 43 yards and two scores. Empire running back Trevor Kennedy carried the ball 12 times for 11 yards. He left the game in the second half with a lower leg injury and will be evaluated by team medical staff this week.
Defensively, Robert Brown led the Empire with ten solo tackles, two interceptions, and one pass break up. Tyree Robinson added five tackles and one interception.
Billings quarterback Cory Murphy completed 15-of-22 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. He also carried the ball nine times for 32 yards and found the end zone three times on the ground. Willie Downs led the Wolves receivers with six receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Next week the Empire will go on the road to take on the Nebraska Danger (5-8, 2-0) at Eihusen Arena in Grand Island. Kickoff is set for Friday, June 10 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on AM 700 ESPN radio with the pregame show beginning thirty minutes before kickoff (4:30 p.m.). The game can also be viewed online via IFLLive.TV.
Images from this story
 Spokane Empire Make a Catch vs. the Billings Wolves (Zach Edwards Photography) |
Indoor Football League Stories from June 5, 2016
- Empire Fends off Wolves in 51-41 Win - Spokane Empire
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