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Spokane Shock

Empire enter conference championship game with much healthier roster

Spokane Empire quarterback Charles Dowdell and coach Adam Schackleford figure a healed roster gives them a boost against Nebraska. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585
Spokane Empire quarterback Charles Dowdell and coach Adam Schackleford figure a healed roster gives them a boost against Nebraska. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Spokane defeated Nebraska 25-23 five weeks ago, but both teams have a different look entering Sunday’s clash for the Intense Conference championship at the Arena.

Top-seeded Spokane (12-4) is as close to full strength as it can get after enjoying two bye weeks. The Empire lost their last two games and averaged just 27 points over the last three, but they believe a healthier roster will help jump-start the offense.

“Take nothing away from Nebraska, they’re well coached on defense, but we were down a couple guys, at running back, guys playing out of position,” Empire quarterback Charles Dowdell said. “It’s going to be good to have our full arsenal back.

“That time off helped us. It’s good to get those key guys back to stretch a defense and attack in different ways.”

The third-seeded Danger (7-10) snapped an eight-game losing streak after the arrival of quarterback Derrick Bernard. Nebraska has won two straight, including a 64-52 road playoff win over No. 2 Billings, behind the dual-threat quarterback.

“They’re a much better team (than the last meeting),” Empire coach Adam Shackleford said. “Coach (Mike) Davis and I talk throughout the season and he was hit hard by Major League Football, injuries, his quarterback went the CFL and was hurt up there. They’ve done a good of weathering the storm and finding a way to get into this game.”

That’s become routine for Nebraska, which has reached the Intense Conference championship four straight years. The Danger won the last three conference titles before losing to Sioux Falls each time in the United Bowl.

Five-time defending champion Sioux Falls routed Cedar Rapids 54-28 Saturday in the United Conference championship game. The Spokane-Nebraska winner visits the Storm (16-1) on Saturday.

Andrew Pierce steps in for Trevor Kennedy, the first-team All-Indoor Football League running back who suffered a broken leg in Spokane’s 13th game. Nebraska leads the IFL in rush defense (56.3 yards). Pierce earned second-team All-IFL honors playing for Shackleford with Tri-Cities in 2015.

Spokane’s receiving unit, depleted by injuries late in the regular season, has healed up. Donte Rumph replaces D.J. Yendrey (foot) at nose guard.

“We went from about 16 healthy guys to 25,” Shackleford said of the impact of consecutive bye weeks. “We just didn’t have the weapons around our quarterback to make a difference. I feel like the practices we’ve had, it just feels different.”

Spokane committed 20 turnovers in its four losses, 12 in its 12 wins. The defense forced 38 turnovers, second only to Billings’ 40. Nebraska led the league at plus-8 in turnover margin.

The Empire’s last game was June 25, a 35-21 loss to Billings.

“It’s almost like that training camp mentality,” Empire defensive back Josh Ferguson said, “where you’re tired of seeing each other and you can’t wait to go against somebody else. We’re looking forward to getting after it.”