Spokane Empire, Tri-Cities Fever square off for third time

It’s not instant replay but it’s pretty close.

Spokane and nearest geographic rival Tri-Cities have played twice this season and they just saw each other last week in Kennewick. They collide again Friday at the Arena as the Empire (6-1) reaches the halfway mark of the Indoor Football League season.

The Empire won 60-51 in the season opener and 52-39 last Saturday. Spokane will also face Billings, its second closest rival, four times, three in the second half of the season.

“I don’t think you go try to reinvent the wheel in a week,” said Spokane coach Adam Shackleford, who coached the Fever from 2010-2015. “You take a look at what they did to you and try to take advantage. You know they’re doing the same thing, looking at what worked and what didn’t.”

Spokane has taken control of the Intense Conference with four consecutive wins, the last three by double figures. Second-place Nebraska is 5-4, followed by Billings at 4-4. Spokane and Nebraska meet just once, June 10.

Spokane is in the midst of grinding stretch of 13 games in 13 weeks. If the Empire wins the Intense Conference, it would have a first-round playoff bye before hosting in the second round.

“We’re going to have to address some injuries, we have a few we’re dealing with now,” Shackleford said. “We’re going to have to manage our energy and injuries and be smart about how we practice.”

Empire defensive linemen Toby Jackson and Brett Bowers are sidelined by injuries. Brandon Haskin moved over from the offensive line to start on the defensive front last week and offensive lineman Dave Lefotu is another potential option.

Spokane also signed defensive lineman D.J. Yendrey earlier this week. He played three seasons at TCU, twice earning honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference, before finishing at Texas State.

Spokane led Tri-Cities 20-0 in the first quarter last Saturday as the defense made four straight stops, offsetting quarterback Charles Dowdell’s two interceptions.

Tri-Cities (3-5) has employed two quarterbacks with Hunter Wanket seeing the majority of the playing time. Patrick McCain replaced Wanket last week and passed for 94 yards and rushed for 107. McCain is expected to start.