Spokane to host the Billings Wolves for first time at Spokane Arena this Saturday
May 2, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
Spokane Empire DB Josh Ferguson
(Spokane Empire, Credit: Zach Edwards Photography)
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Empire (7-1, 5-1) will host the Billings Wolves (4-5, 3-2) for the first time in Week 12 of the 2016 Indoor Football League regular season this Saturday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Spokane continues to hold the top spot in the Intense Conference after recording their fifth consecutive victory last Friday against in-state rival Tri-Cities by a final score of 53-51. While Colorado (1-8, 0-5) got their first win of the season and the Fever (3-6, 3-4) falling once again to the Empire, the other two teams within the conference also suffered losses as Iowa upset Nebraska (5-5, 2-1) by a final of 37-30 and Billings was defeated by Cedar Rapids.
Last week in their second straight game against Tri-Cities, the Empire trailed 18-31 at the break but responded in the third quarter by recording 14-unanswered points.
The Fever, trailing 51-53 with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, had the opportunity to regain the lead by Spokane defensive back Tyree Robinson would record his second interception of the game and allow Spokane to run out the final minutes for the home win.
While the Empire extended their conference lead last week, Billings further slipped into the three-team battle for second and third place. A Nebraska loss on Friday to Iowa opened the door for the Wolves to tie the Danger in overall standings but after falling behind to the Cedar Rapids Titans by 22-points in the third quarter, they were unable to mount the late comeback and fell by a final score of 31-38.
Spokane's only loss this season was at the hands of Billings back in Week 4 amidst a four-week stretch during the month of March that featured three bye weeks for the Empire. The Wolves were able to hold Spokane to their lowest point total of the season in the 30-22 victory.
Entering Week 12 of the regular season will showcase a Spokane team rolling on a five-game win streak and a roster that has seemingly began to gel at the midway point of their schedule. Billings, on the other hand, will feature a new signal caller in Mason Espinosa who was serving as the backup the last time the two teams met.
Espinosa has played in four games so far this season and completed 81-of-142 passes for 900 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. In those four games, he has only rushed the ball 12 times for six yards and two touchdowns.
The matchup between the Empire defense and the Billings quarterback will be a very different clash of styles then Spokane experienced the past two weeks' against Tri-Cities' young quarterback Patrick McCain who is ranked ninth in the IFL in rushing yards (278) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (11). With the Empire defense potentially being less concerned about Espinosa as a dual-threat option, fans could see the Spokane defense pin back their ears and look to add to their sack total which is currently ranked third in the league.
On the other side of the coin, Billings was able to limit Spokane to only 22-points in their last meeting. The Wolves are currently ranked first in the IFL in scoring defense as they've allowed only 40.7 points per game to their opponents. Offensively, however, Billings is ranked last and have only registered 39.3 points per game. Since last facing the Wolves, Spokane has scored 52 points or more in each game. That includes a 97-point outing against Colorado back on April 9th.
This Saturday's Empire game night is "Ladies' Night" presented by Big 99.9 FM Coyote Country. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for Happy Hour until kickoff (7:00 p.m.) with $1.50 OFF select drinks at arena concessions. The first 2,500 fans will receive Empire Dance Team Posters.
Ladies' Tickets (all-ages) start as low as $5 each in the upper level with opportunities in the lower level ranging from $10-30. One dollar from each ticket sold will go to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Eastern Washington. Call the Empire at 509-242-7462 to get your tickets today.
Images from this story
 Spokane Empire DB Josh Ferguson (Zach Edwards Photography) |
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