Fever to host Lincoln
May 16, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
The Tri-Cities Fever (5-3) host the St. Joseph Cyclones from St. Joseph, Missouri Saturday night in the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 pm and tickets are still available for this Pacific Conference Non Division match-up.
The Fever are coming off a long road trip and a disappointing loss at the hands of the undefeated Rapid City Flying Aces (8-0) 54-38. The Fever took an early lead at 30-18 and had the ball with just three minutes left in the first half of play. Joe Wiser would be intercepted on that possession and the Flying Aces would eventually turn that turnover into a touchdown to make the score 30-26. On the Fever's next possession, they would face a fourth down and three to keep their drive alive. Wiser's pass to Thomas Ford would fall incomplete and the Flying Aces would once again make the Fever pay with another touchdown just before the half. It would make the score 34-30 and the Fever would never see the lead again, falling 54-38.
"We faced a lot of adversity in this game and two people that stepped up and played great ball games were (receiver) George Carter, and (defensive back) Brandon Hazenberg," said head coach Dan Whitsett. "I was very impressed with how these two battled the entire game."
The St. Joseph Cyclones are led by quarterback Kasey Waterman from Missouri Western State University. At Western Waterman threw for over 10,000 career yards and is the all-time Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) career-passing leader. He joined the Cyclones just two games ago and had a breakout performance against the Big Sky Thunder last week, helping put 60 points on the board. On the receiving end of most of Waterman's passes will be Dennis Short and Brandon Hale. Dennis Short was with the Fever for a couple weeks last season, never seeing any game action. He has caught 20 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns so far this season and leads his team in all receiving categories. Hale joined the team the same time that Waterman did and also played his college ball at Missouri Western. At Western this year he caught 26 passes for 359 yards and six touchdowns. In two games with the Cyclones he has became Waterman's favorite target while hauling in 14 passes for 106 yards and two scores.
The Fever are looking to extend their home field winning streak of nine games that dates back to last season. The last home loss for the Fever was against Everett on April 30, 2005. Joe Wiser will be making his third straight start at quarterback. The Fever will probably also welcome back receiver Quincy Jackson this week. Jackson, the teams leading receiver, has missed the past two games with an injury to a leg muscle. Coach Dan Whitsett said that newcomer and thought to be "fill-in" defensive back Brandon Hazenberg performed so well with just two practices under his belt that he has earned a roster spot on this team. "Haze played great, I really could not of asked him to do any more than he did out there under the circumstances. He really showed me he is a player."
The Fever host the St. Joseph Cyclones Saturday night, May 20th at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are still 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 16, 2006
- Fever to host Lincoln - Tri-Cities Fever
- Despite star power, Frenzy lose game note Lakeland - Florida Frenzy
- There's No Place Like âHolme', Maulers Win Second Straight - Montgomery Bears
- ThunderBolts Top the Frenzy - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- 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.
