Next stop: The playoffs
Published on June 14, 2015 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
The Tri-Cities Fever got a much-needed win Saturday night, holding off the Iowa Barnstormers 42-39 at the Toyota Center in its final regular season game of the 2015 season.
Next stop. The playoffs.
Tri-Cities, making its first playoff appearance since 2012, will play at Nebraska in two weeks for the Intense Conference championship.
"This win was long overdue," said Fever coach Adam Shackleford. "We needed this one."
The win snaps the Fever's (8-6) three-game losing streak and gives it a winning record for the second straight season.
"This gives us some momentum and gets us our swagger back; gives us our confidence back," said defensive back Aaron Foster.
But to ensure a winning record for a second straight season didn't come easy.
The Fever led 39-18 with just over 10 minutes left in the game. It then led 42-25 with over six minutes remaining. The game seemed to be headed to a lackluster finish. Iowa had a different idea.
With 44 seconds left, Iowa got to within 42-39 after blocking a Brady Beeson field goal attempt. The Barnstormers then recovered the onside kick. After driving to the Fever 12-yard line, Josh Gable lined up for the game-tying kick with 4 seconds remaining from 27 yards away.
But Brandon Rankin busted through the line to block the kick and seal the Fever victory.
"That was a big play," Shackleford said. "We didn't play well at times, but we made enough plays tonight."
Dominique Blackman, who found out right before game time he was going to start for the injured Patrick McCain, had a solid performance. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns.
"I have had time to watch film on myself, and Houston (Lillard) and Coach Shack have really helped me," Blackman said. "I just wanted to be in control and try to make plays to help us win the game."
Blackman also led the team in rushing with 65 yards on eight carries.
Steven Whitehead, the league's leading receiver, had seven catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Dejuan Miller added six catches for 30 yards and a score, while Dejay Lester added five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
The Fever defense forced three turnovers; all interceptions. Foster picked off Taylor Genuser and returned it 17 yards to put Tri-Cities on top 32-10 early in the fourth quarter. Leon Jackson and Troy Sanders also had interceptions.
"This is a big momentum builder heading to Nebraska," Foster said.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 14, 2015
- Next stop: The playoffs - Tri-Cities Fever
- Barnstormers Unable to Withstand Fever - Iowa Barnstormers
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.
