Wyoming Rematch Saturday Night
April 18, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Kennewick , WA . 04/17/06. The Tri-Cities Fever are coming off a two game winning streak with two dominating performances. They reeled off a franchise single game rushing record of 178 yards, including Paris Moore's team record of 103 yards against the Twin City Gators. It was the first time a Fever back has rushed for over 100 yards in a single game in franchise history. Amazingly, the Fever have been able to maintain a 3-1 record while starting four different quarterbacks in the first four games this season.
One would think that things have to start getting better in fever camp, but the questions continue for head coach Dan Whitsett and his squad. Who will be behind center for this weeks big rematch with the Wyoming Cavalry? Will Aaron "Pudge" Retzlaff be able to return to the line-up and provide stability at his center position and fill in at nose guard when needed? Will Jarvis Dunn be able to shake off a severe ankle injury he suffered against Twin City? What about kicker Brandon Schillinger who was knocked out of the game with a concussion against Twin City? These are just a few of the questions running through the minds of people around Fever camp.
"I really wanted to have a healthy team and have the roster close to where we need it to be personnel wise (before the Wyoming rematch)," said Whitsett, who will bring a new defensive lineman into camp this week. "We need to get better on the defensive line and signing Antwan Harris is hopefully going to help make that happen. He is a veteran of indoor football and has played at several different levels." Harris played his college ball at Virginia State University and has several seasons of professional football under his belt, including the NIFL and Arena Football 2 league. He was even a part of the Southern Oregon Heat in the inaugural NIFL season in 2001. "We are going to tinker with the roster until I feel we are where we need to be at every position," said Whitsett. "We are not going to settle for mediocracy at any position."
The Wyoming Cavalry are the focus for the Fever this week as they visit the Fever on Saturday night in the Toyota Center. The Fever's only loss of the season was to the Cavalry in a humiliating 66-38 defeat in Casper. But this Fever team is different than the one that made the sixteen-hour bus ride to Casper on March 31. Changes in the secondary that include Sullivan Beard and Muhammad Shamsid-Dean have proven to be just what the doctor ordered. Both have immediately made significant contributions with tough pass coverage and physical play. Lemuel Adams started under center and was relieved by DeMarcus Morris in their first meeting, but it is likely neither will play this time around. Adams is out for the season with a broken collarbone and Morris is still recovering with a throwing hand injury. Who will be under center? Not even coach Whitsett could answer that question on Monday. "Honestly, right now I have no idea who will be our quarterback for Saturdays game, none at all." One thing that is certain is that the Fever players will be mentally ready to go as they have had this game in the back of their minds since they boarded the bus to come home from Casper. "We have all been thinking about this game," said running back Paris Moore. "Not one guy on this team isn't ready for this game. I have been ready since the last second ticked off the clock up there (in Casper)."
Whitsett also hopes that the Fever fans will come out and support the Fever in their quest to get redemption against the Cavalry. "I think our fans understand that this is a big rematch and that our guys will be very focussed to redeem ourselves for that embarrassing loss in Casper," said Whitsett. "We will be ready to defend our house Saturday night. Wyoming is a solid team and we are excited to go at them again. Our fans can help make a difference Saturday night, just as their fans did up there."
Game time is 7:05pm Saturday night April 22 nd at the Toyota Center. This will be the last chance to see the Fever until May 6 th when they return home to play the Big Sky Thunder. Tickets are available at the Toyota Center Box Office or by calling TicketsWest at 1-800-325-SEAT.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 18, 2006
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- Wyoming Rematch Saturday Night - Tri-Cities Fever
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