Preview: Cedar Rapids at Tri-Cities
March 10, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
Kennewick, WA - The Cedar Rapids Titans (1-2) are on the road in Kennewick, WA for their second road contest this season as they take on the Tri-Cities Fever (1-2) in Week 4 Indoor Football League action. Kickoff is slated for 9:05 p.m.
The Titans enter tomorrow's matchup having lost last weekend to the reigning Intense Conference champion Nebraska Danger (2-0) 78-71, their second straight loss. Conversely, Tri-Cities won their first game of the season last weekend, defeating the Billings Wolves (1-2) 47-41 in Kennewick. Cedar Rapids has the highest-scoring offense in the Indoor Football League, having scored 155 points through three games on the season.
Through three games on the year, rookie quarterback Dylan Favre has completed 45 of 63 passes for 441 yards and nine touchdowns. Favre's 71.4% completion percentage is tied with Wichita Fall Nightawks quarterback, and former Cedar Rapids Titan, Charles McCullum for best completion percentage in the Indoor Football League. Additionally, Favre has added three rushing touchdowns and 30 carries.
Tri-Cities quarterback Patrick McCain got the starting nod against Billings last weekend, throwing 12 completions for 119 yards and four touchdowns. McCain also leads the Fever in rushing attempts (16), rushing yards (56), and rushing touchdowns (5).
Titans running back/kick returner Waymon James currently leads the IFL in All-Purpose Yards (439). In three appearances, the IFL's reigning Rookie of the Year has logged 235 kick return yards, 139 rushing yards, and 31 receiving yards. James has scored five rushing touchdowns and a pair of kick return touchdowns.
Cedar Rapids' receiving corps has been led by wideout Jared Elmore. Elmore (6'3", 215 lbs.) has caught 16 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance last weekend versus Nebraska. Wide receiver Ryan Balentine has 14 catches for 122 yards and one touchdown on the season. Balentine has also added a rushing touchdown.
The Fever have three receivers nearing 200 receiving yards on the season. They have been paced by Akeem Foster (12 receptions, 171 yards, six touchdowns) while DeJay Lester (13 receptions, 182 yards) and Dejuan Miller (19 receptions, 179 yards) have three receiving touchdowns each.
Linebacker Niko Sierra leads the Titans defense with 20.5 tackles along with defensive linemen Xzavie Jackson (4.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss) and Jermiah Price (3.0 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss). Jackson leads the league in sacks and is second in tackles for loss while Price is second in the league in sacks and atop to leaderboard in tackles for loss.
Fever defensive back Bradley Njoku was named the Week 3 IFL Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Wolves last weekend. Njoku notched nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a pair of interceptions, and a forced fumble.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 10, 2016
- Fever Look to Build Momentum - Tri-Cities Fever
- Preview: Cedar Rapids at Tri-Cities - Cedar Rapids River Kings
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