Empire defeat Colorado to move closer to hosting conference title game

LOVELAND, Colorado – The Spokane Empire moved within one win of the right to host their conference championship game with a 55-44 win Friday over the Colorado Crush in Indoor Football League play at the Budweiser Events Center.

Spokane trailed once, at 7-3 in the first quarter, and held off every attempted comeback by the Crush.

Spokane improved to 10-2 overall and 8-1 in the Intense Conference. The Empire will clinch home field for the conference title game with a home win June 4 against Billings.

Colorado opened the second half with the ball, but Empire linebacker Pasquale Vacchio intercepted a pass tipped by Ben Perry. Spokane soon took a 42-24 lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Charles Dowdell to Trevor Kennedy.

After a Crush TD, Spokane’s Lorenzo White Jr. set up an Empire score with an interception.

Colorado attempted a onside kick midway through the fourth quarter, but Empire wide receiver J.J. Hayes made the recovery. He went to the ground untouched, jumped up and scrambled into the end zone for Spokane’s final score.