Empire Stops Wolves in Their Tracks with 75-28 Win
May 8, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
Josh Ferguson of the Spokane Empire Celebrates a Score
(Spokane Empire, Credit: Zach Edwards Photography)
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Empire (8-1, 6-1) defeated the Billings Wolves (4-6, 3-3) by a final score of 75-28 in Week 12 of the 2016 Indoor Football League at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Saturday night the Empire took the field against the only team to defeat them in their first nine games of regular season play and won in convincing fashion while extending their Intense Conference lead over the second place Nebraska Danger (5-6).
Spokane struck first against the Wolves as running back Trevor Kennedy scored his first of four rushing touchdowns on the night via a 20-yard run. After Billings responded on their first offensive possession of the game, the Empire would hold the Wolves twice on fourth down and record an interception to set up a 27-7 lead going into halftime.
On the Wolves opening possession of the third quarter, running back Nate Burney lost the handle on the football while attempting a cutback at midfield which would result in a 30-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown by Spokane defensive back Josh Ferguson.
It took Billings nearly two full quarters to find the end zone since their first quarter score as Spokane rallied with 34-unasnwered points and led 41-7 in the third quarter.
While the Wolves offense was able to find the end zone three times in the second half, the Empire defensive pressure proved to be too much as they forced another turnover on downs and a second interception.
The Empire offense, on the other hand, was perfect in the final two quarters of play as they scored on all seven of their possessions.
Spokane running back Trevor Kennedy finished the night with 85 rushing yards and four touchdowns on eight carries. Defensive back Josh Ferguson also recorded reps at running back and found the end zone once. Quarterback Charles Dowdell completed 15-of-20 pass attempts for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the air while adding six rushes for 21 yards and one score on the ground. Receiver J.J. Hayes led the team with seven receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown while Samuel Charles tacked on five receptions for 55 yards and three receiving scores.
Defensively, linebacker Pasquale Vacchio was seemingly involved in nearly every play from scrimmage in some capacity throughout the contest. He finished the game with 11 solo tackles and two pass breakups. Defensive backs Robert Brown and Lorenzo White Jr. each recorded interceptions. Defensive lineman Ben Perry and linebacker Nick Haag had one sack each.
Billings quarterback Mason Espinosa completed 11-of-24 pass attempts for 76 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Cory Murphy also recorded snaps late in the game as he completed 4-of-6 passes for 57 yards, one touchdown, and one interception as well. Murphy also added eight rush attempts for 48 yards and one score. Alexander McCray led the Wolves receiving effort with eight receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, defensive back Michael Green recorded nine total tackles and two tackles for loss.
Next week, Spokane will travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to take on the 9-1 Storm on Saturday, May 14th with a 5:00 p.m. PT kickoff. The Week 13 matchup will be significant for both franchises who lead their respective conferences and are battling one another for the number-one overall seed. The game will be available live on AM 700 ESPN radio and online via IFLLive.TV.
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 Josh Ferguson of the Spokane Empire Celebrates a Score (Zach Edwards Photography) |
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Indoor Football League Stories from May 8, 2016
- Empire Stops Wolves in Their Tracks with 75-28 Win - Spokane Empire
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