Fever to face twin brothers
May 19, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL) - Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Kennewick, WA. 05/19/06. For a two-week stretch last season Fever Head Coach Dan Whitsett had twin brothers working out with the team. They were David and Dennis Short, a quarterback and receiver from Rocky Mountain College (Billings, Montana) respectively.
"I remember these two stocky guys walking into practice and they looked just like each other," recalls Whitsett. "They were pretty solid players and could do some good things, but they just weren't the fit for the system we were looking for at the time. They were really nice guys and I always felt they would surface somewhere else down the road."
They have surfaced again, most recently with the St. Joseph Cyclones, the Fever's opponent Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
The brothers had great careers at Rocky Mountain College (RMC) with David (quarterback) being named All-American twice and Dennis (receiver) being named to the team once. They played with former RMC receiver Chris Horn who has had a few seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dennis Short leads the Cyclones in receiving and has enjoyed some individual success on a team that has struggled to get a win on the season. He has caught 20 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns. He has also rushed for 40 yards on 12 carries and another score. He has returned 10 kicks-offs for 230 yards and a 23.0 average and two touchdowns. He is one of the few players on the Cyclones roster that has been with the team from the very beginning and has not missed a game.
Either David or Terrell Crane will be stepping in at quarterback for previous starter Kasey Waterman. If it is David then it will certainly set up a brother to brother combination for the Cyclones that will have its advantages. Coach Whitsett saw some of the twin powers in action during their two week stay in the Tri-Cities last season. "They definitely know each other very well," said Whitsett. "You could tell they had that special bond that twins usually have. They always seemed to know what the other one was thinking and that is the kind of relationship that quarterbacks and receivers strive for all the time. With them it seems much easier."
The addition of a top notch quarterback and fierce competitor like David will do nothing but improve the Cyclone team. Quarterback and Receiver Terrell Crane along with Waterman have played the most games previously at the quarterback position. "There is no question David is a good quarterback," said Whitsett. "He can play this indoor game and he understands it. He seemed very intelligent when he was here, he will clearly help them improve."
Will the brothers become the Wonder Twins and activate some special powers to upset the heavily favored Fever at home? Don't miss your chance to come and find out. Tickets are available at the Toyota Center Box Office or by calling TicketsWest at 1 (800) 325-SEAT.
• Discuss this story on the National Indoor Football League message board...
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 19, 2006
- Copperheads seek consistency - Texas Copperheads
- Tailgate with the Copperheads and Drillers - Texas Copperheads
- Fever to face twin brothers - Tri-Cities Fever
- Bulldogs Head to Charleston - Dayton Bulldogs
- Commentary: NIFL daily buzz - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
