Fever Storms Past Blizzard
April 21, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Tri-Cities got a much-needed win Saturday night, downing the Green Bay Blizzard 73-62 at the Resch Center, and in the process picking up its first road win of the season.
The win snaps the Fever's five-game losing streak and gives the team some momentum heading into the second half of the season. The Fever's win also keeps Green Bay (0-7) winless on the season.
The Fever offense that was hampered by turnovers and inconsistencies was nowhere to be found Saturday night.
Houston Lillard, returned to his 2011 and 2012 form when he was an all-Indoor Football League player. In his third start since returning to the team, Lillard had his best performance of the season and the Fever had its highest offensive output in quite some time.
Lillard was nearly perfect, completing 22 of 26 passes for 241 yards and seven touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. He also ran 10 times for 42 yards.
Lillard used five different receivers to dissect the Blizzard defense that ranked last in the IFL in points allowed. Dejuan Miller had a team-high six catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Tre Young had five catches for 80 yards and a score, while Harry Peoples finished with five catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Peoples also added a 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
The 73 points are the most points Tri-Cities has scored since scoring 76 points against the Arizona Adrenaline on Feb. 26, 2011. The previous high point total for the Fever this season was 69 vs. Wyoming on opening night.
The Fever offense has also been plagued by some slow starts during the recent skid, scoring just six first-half points last week in a 55-28 loss at Colorado. The Fever scored 43 first-half points against the Blizzard. That total is more points than the Fever had scored in an entire game on three separate occasions this season.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Fever finally put some distance on the scoreboard in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown catch by Peoples to push the lead to 50-35.
Tri-Cities led by as many as 22 at 70-48 midway through the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Keith on Flemming.
Flemming had two receiving touchdowns and had another good night rushing with 58 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Kicker Brady Beeson was 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-of-6 on extra points.
Jackie Chambers, who has missed the past few games because of a rib injury, returned and had two catches for 39 yards.
Lionell Singleton, who led the league in interceptions last season, had an interception, accounting for the lone turnover in the game.
Donyae Coleman led the Fever with 13 tackles, Brandon Wilson added 11, and Singleton finished with 10.
The Fever returns home Saturday night to play host to Colorado. Kickoff is 7:05 p.m.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 21, 2014
- Fever Storms Past Blizzard - Tri-Cities Fever
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