Fever wary of Capitols
Published on June 17, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Kennewick, WA- the Tri-Cities Fever, one of the hottest teams in the NIFL with 6 straight victories in a row, host a winless but very hungry Lincoln Capitols team Saturday night at Three Rivers Coliseum starting at 7:05 pm.
"The Lincoln Capitols have impoved their squad since we've seen them last," said Head Coach Dan Whitsett. "they brought in a new quarterback, a veteran quarterback, and he immediately improved their team. They went from scoring 20 to 25 points a game to averaging over 50 a game when he arrived."
That new quarterback is Michael Spriggs formerly from Lincoln University. A three year veteran in the league he immediately showed he still had it after sitting out most of the season by putting up 55 points against Wyoming, and then 59 points the very next week against River City. "There are only eight players per side in this game, so one player, espeically a quarterback or a linebacker can make a big difference," says Coach Whitsett. The Fever's defense, which gave up almost 170 yards in the first half against Montana, will look to shore up on it's pass defense against Lincoln. Coach Whitsett sums up the defense against the Mavericks. "It was a story of two halves with our defense in the Montana game, we struggled some in the first half and came up with two big stops inside six minutes. They (Mav's) had a good game plan and executed things very well."
Offensively the Fever want to continue their high scoring with the NIFL's leading passer Doug Coleman pulling the trigger. Running back Jarvis Dunn is coming off his best game of the season with 90 yards rushing on 18 carries, and another 35 yards receiving and scoring five times overall against Montana. the Fever offense looks to "clean things up" according to Whitsett. "We want to go out and be sharp from start to finish and have no let downs. Our goal is always to score a touchdown on every possession, and since we have not done that yet, then we still have a goal to reach."
Notes: Fever's leading receiver Mike Rigell, who also is in the top three in the NIFL in receiving, was injured in the game at Montana. He will not play this week against Lincoln and will be re-evaluated next week. Rigell's injury is listed as a sprained big toe. The Fever have signed receiver Sonte Wong to replace Rigell for the time being. Wong just so happens to be Rigell's cousin. Wong played his college ball at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon and is a three year veteran in this league. Offensive lineman Josh Jelinek returned to practice this week, and will most likely be ready to resume play when the Fever travel to Cincinnati on June 25th.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 17, 2005
- Fever wary of Capitols - Tri-Cities Fever
- Another Guard Home Game - Fayetteville Guard
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