Iowa Barnstormers Unable to Withstand Fever
Iowa Barnstormers 2015
Barnstormers Defeated 42-39
Kennewick, WA– The Iowa Barnstormers (5-8) were defeated by the Tri-Cities Fever (8-6) Saturday evening at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington.
The Week 16 matchup between the Iowa Barnstormers and Tri-Cities Fever started slowly as each team found their groove. An interception given up by the Barnstormers followed by a failed field goal attempt by the Fever resulted in an empty scoreboard at the end of the first. Iowa Barnstormers 0, Tri-Cities Fever 0.
Completing their final possession of the first, the Fever hit the scoreboard with a short rushing touchdown. Unable to get the ball in scoring position, the Barnstormers would tally their first points of the night with a 30-yard field goal by K Josh Gable. DeJay Lester, a familiar face to the Barnstormers team, scored Tri-Cities second touchdown of the night to increase the home team’s lead. A Barnstormers rushing touchdown and Fever field goal rounded out the half with Tri-Cities in the lead. Iowa Barnstormers 10, Tri-Cities Fever 17.
A scoreless third quarter for the Barnstormers allowed the Fever offense to pull even further ahead in the game. Yet another Brady Beeson field goal and a huge 15-yard touchdown completion from QB Dominic Blackmon to WR Steve Whitehead allotted a sixteen point lead for the Fever. Iowa Barnstormers 10, Tri-Cities Fever 26.
In the fourth, the Barnstormers disrupted the Fever’s comfortable lead with a 29-point quarter. A touchdown score on the ground with credit to running back Robbie Rouse was followed by a successful 2-point conversion rush completed by Johnny Thomas. After ten more points for the Fever, the score was brought to 42-39, the Barnstormers only needing one field goal to tie the game for an overtime battle. Ready for the attempt, Gable booted the ball, but was blocked and recovered by the Fever. Iowa Barnstormers 39, Tri-Cities Fever 42.
