Fever Is Playoff Ready; Plays at Nebraska on Friday
June 24, 2015 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Unpredictable. That is probably the best word to describe the Tri-Cities Fever's season up to this point.
The season was once filled with lofty expectations of returning to the United Bowl with a core of veteran players who led the Fever to the back-to-back appearances in 2011 and 2012. Then the injuries piled up, and none more costly than to quarterback Houston Lillard, who was lost early in the season with a broken leg.
Since Lillard went down in early April, the Fever has used several different starting quarterbacks in what has been a roller coaster for the team over the past eight games.
But through all of that, the Fever (8-6) is back in the playoffs and one win away from the United Bowl. Tri-Cities plays at Nebraska on Friday night for the Intense Conference championship. Kickoff is 5:05 p.m.
"I have never had to deal with anything like this," said Fever coach Adam Shackleford. "But the bottom line is we are back in the playoffs, and that's the most important thing."
The Intense Conference championship is a rematch from April 3 at the Toyota Center when the Fever pulled away in the second half for a 67-59 victory over the Danger (10-4).
Since the win in April, the Fever has used Mike Box, Dominique Blackman, and Patrick McCain at quarterback.
Most recently, Blackman got the call in the Fever's regular-season finale, a 42-39 victory over Iowa on June 13. Blackman, who was pulled in the previous game in favor of Patrick McCain, completed 22 of 30 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team with 65 rushing yards on eight carries.
Blackman was thrust into the starting role after McCain could not play because of swelling in his knee. Blackman will again get the call Friday night.
Nebraska has had its own set of quarterback injury issues. Jameel Sewell, the league's MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, has sat this season to rest an injured shoulder. However, it appears he is fully-recovered and ready for the playoffs.
Sewell did not play in the Danger's 60-50 loss to end the regular season at Billings. It was the Danger's third loss in its last five regular season games. Sewell did not play in two of those losses.
When Sewell does play, he has been nearly unstoppable. In 11 games this season, he has completed 146 of 260 passes for 1,739 yards. He has thrown 38 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Sewell is also second in the league in rushing yards per game at 47.7 and second in rushing touchdowns with 20.
The Danger is the two-time defending conference champions, losing to Sioux Falls in the last two United Bowls.
The Fever has dealt with more than quarterback injuries, having played its final regular season game without defensive end Jake Killeen, one of the league leaders in sacks, and defensive back Dustin Bell. Both are expected to play Friday night.
"We are excited for this opportunity," said defensive back Aaron Foster. "We have to come out and play confident, and clean up some of the little things."
-- The Fever is making its first playoff appearance since 2012 ... Nebraska is making its third straight playoff appearance ... Tri-Cities is 4-3 on the road this season ... Nebraska is undefeated at home this season (7-0) ... Nebraska and Tri-Cities ranks third and fourth respectively in yards per game ... The Fever ranks fourth in points per game at 46.3; Nebraska ranks second in the IFL, scoring 52.8 points per game ... The Danger is second in rushing yards at 1,435 and second in rushing touchdowns with 40 ... The Fever ranks third in rushing touchdowns with 39 ... Sewell ranks second in the league in passing yards per game with 158.1. He also ranks third in TD passes with 38 ... Fever running back Andrew Pierce leads the league with 21 rushing TDs ... Steven Whitehead leads the league in receiving yards per game at 79.4 and finished the regular season with a league-high 81 catches and 1,032 yards. He was second TD receptions with 17 ... Killeen is tied for fourth in the league with seven sacks.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 24, 2015
- Fever Is Playoff Ready; Plays at Nebraska on Friday - Tri-Cities Fever
- Rouse Named Offensive Player of the Week - Iowa Barnstormers
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