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Spokane Shock

Spokane Empire brace for rematch with Iowa

Spokane Empire QB Charles Dowdell, stretching for a first down against Iowa on April 1 in the Spokane Arena, expressed concern about playing underdog Iowa so soon after beating the Barnstormers 54-51 in the first meeting. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Jim Meehan

Between the extremes of a 30-22 loss to Billings and a 97-72 blowout over Colorado, the Spokane Empire held on for a three-point victory over visiting Iowa.

The Empire and Barnstormers tangle again Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines with the 54-51 outcome from April 1 still fresh in both teams’ minds. Following this game, Spokane takes on Tri-Cities on April 23 and April 29.

“I really don’t like to see teams so close, I like to have some room in between,” Empire quarterback Charles Dowdell said. “You play a team so close it’s hard to beat them back to back. We really have to be focused and professionals and take advantage of the opportunity to keep first place.”

Saturday’s Spokane-Iowa matchup was a late addition to the schedule after a Minnesota franchise folded.

Spokane has won two straight. Iowa (3-3) has dropped two in a row and three of four, including a 46-43 home setback to Nebraska last week. Spokane (4-1) and Nebraska (5-2) are the only Intense Conference teams with winning records. Billings, Tri-Cities and Colorado are a combined 4-14.

The Empire scored 14 touchdowns on 14 possessions while their defense yielded 11 TDs against Colorado. The Crush scored on their last six possessions but couldn’t make up ground because Spokane’s offense answered each time.

“I thought it was an NBA basketball game,” joked linebacker Pasquale Vacchio, who came up with a one-handed interception for the game’s lone turnover. “We need to make sure everyone does their job. Do your job and the rest will take care of itself.”

The 72 points was the most allowed by Spokane’s defense this season.

“We have to clean up some of the mental mistakes,” said linebacker Nick Haag, who scored a touchdown on a 1-yard plunge when Spokane went with a three-running back set. “We had a lot of missed tackles, 20 or something, and that’s inexcusable stuff.”

Spokane led 47-21 lead over Iowa midway through the third quarter but the Barnstormers made it interesting late. Iowa quarterback Donovan Porterie tossed two interceptions and was picked off twice again last week by Nebraska. Robbie Rouse, who ran for 56 yards and one touchdown against the Empire, is out with an injury.