FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- The Tri-Cities Fever ‘s Indoor Football League debut didn’t want to end. But when it finally did after four overtimes, the Fever came up short, losing 69-67 to the Fairbanks Grizzlies on Monday night at the Carlson Center.

In a game full of twists, turns and penalties, Grizzlies quarterback Matt Bassoenor hit Anthony Parks on a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime to end a game that lasted nearly four hours...

The Fever’s best chance to win came in the third overtime.After stopping Fairbanks (2-0) on a two-point conversion to start the third overtime, Tyson Thompson scored on a 20-yard run to tie the game at 61. But the Fever could not put the game away as quarterback Andy Collins’ pass fell incomplete on the conversion sending the game into the fourth overtime.

After trailing 20-6 at halftime, the Fever was able to push the game to overtime thanks to a fumble recovery by Blair Boynton with 1:27 left in the game. Tri-Cities converted a key fourth-down play on the ensuing drive, setting up Thyron Lewis’ 8-yard touchdown catch from Collins to tie the game at 41 with 36 seconds left.

The game that wouldn’t end looked like it was over at halftime. After trailing 3-0, Fairbanks, which beat Alaska the week before by one point, led 20-6. The Fever allowed just 65 yards of total offense, but had two turnovers and seven penalties for 98 yards.

But the new-look Fever quickly turned things around in the third quarter.

Collins hit Kevin Heard on a 31-yard touchdown play to cut the lead to 20-13 on its first possession of the second half. The Fever then got the ball back less than three minutes later and tied the score at 20 after a 3-yard run by Collins.

Fairbanks took the lead right back on its next drive when Bassoenor scored on a 6-yard TD run to make the score 27-20.

The Fever again had the answer, this time Collins hit Brandon Copeland with 1:39 left in the third quarter. But Brett Jaekle missed the extra point and the Grizzlies held on to a 27-26 lead.

However, the Fever would not go way. After Fairbanks scored again, Ray Little returned a missed field 52 yards to cut  the Grizzlies’ lead to 34-32. Collins then connected with Heard on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 34 with 6:00 left in the game.

The Fever is back on the field Sunday at defending IFL champion Billings (2-0).

Score by quarters

Fever	3	3	20	15	7	7	6	6	67
Grizzlies	0	20	7	14	7	7	6	8	69

The next chapter in Tri-Cities Fever football history begins today when it travels to take on the Fairbanks Grizzlies in its Indoor Football League debut.

The Fever, now it its sixth season of indoor football, joined the IFL in the offseason, after playing three seasons in the now defunct arenafootball2 league.

The Fever and new coach Adam Shackelford hopes the IFL will provide a fresh start for an organization.

.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” he said. “I’m kind of the new guy on the block.

I have a lot of confidence in my guys, but we haven’t had a live hit or made a live block yet.”

Shackleford is not alone in being new to the IFL. Not one player on the Fever roster has IFL experience and just a handful of players have played indoor football.

There are also several new faces on the Fever roster. Of the 21 players expected to dress for Monday’s game, just three (Jo Artis Ratti, Curtis Terry and Ray Little) played for the Fever last season.

Despite the lack of experience, Shackleford has not lowered his expectations for the first game. Plainly put, he wants to win. But to do this, he knows his team needs to play well.

Fairbanks (1-0) is coming off a one-point victory over Alaska in its season opener last week and has played one exhibition game.

“We have a lot of young talent,” Shackleford said. “I think it’s going to come down to who can run the football better.”

•  Read More 

Coach Adam Shackleford made his first big roster move today, announcing that Andy Collins will start at quarterback in the Tri-Cities Fever season opener Monday against the Fairbanks Grizzlies.

Collins is an indoor football veteran and that ultimately swayed Shackleford's decision in choosing the Zillah native over rookie Houston Lillard.

"With just two weeks of camp, I think Andy gives us the best chance to be successful right now," Shackleford said. "But Andy knows that his is going to be pushed all season."

Last season, Collins played in four games for the Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league before getting hurt. In his limited time, Collins threw for 931 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran 25 times for 161 yards and seven more touchdowns. The 161 yards rushing turned out to be a team-high for the Lightning.

Collins, who is a three-time Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Occidental College, split time with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League and the Lightning in 2008. 

The Tri-Cities Fever opens its inaugural season in the Indoor Football League in less than a week.

And with each passing day, Coach Adam Shackleford’s job is getting that much more difficult.

Shackleford has pared his roster below 30, but picking the final 21 who are going to make the trip to Fairbanks for Monday’s season opener is not going to be easy.

“We have some guys that we thought were going to be pretty good,” he said. “And then we have some guys that we thought were going to be good and turned out to be better than we thought.

“We have some tough decisions to make.”

Shackleford will make some roster moves today, and is expected to announce his starting quarterback  -- either Zillah native Andy Collins or rookie Houston Lillard -- after practice today.

“It’s a tougher decision than I thought it was going to be,” Shackleford admitted.

Some recognizable faces that have made it through the first week of training camp are receiver/defensive back Ray Little, defensive back DeVon Walker, and receiver Brandon Copeland, who all played for the Fever last season.

The Fever will continue to practice this week before leaving for Fairbanks on Sunday.

Tri-Cities has not won a season opener since the 2006 season. They are looking for their first road win in more than a year.

What’s on tap:

• At Fairbanks Grizzlies (1-0), 7:05 p.m., Monday, March 8
• 2009 record: 7-7.
• Last week: beat Alaska Wild 29-28 in season opener.
• Of note: Quarterback Matt Bossoenor threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score. … Former Fever lineman Baron Harrell caught the game-winning touchdown pass.
• Coach Shack’s take: “They are a very quality opponent.”
• On the air: Watch the game at Kimo’s or listen to the game on KONA 610 AM.

• More Information

Kimo’s Sports Bar will once again be the Fever’s “Home Away From Home” as all away games will be broadcast on the B2 network throughout the establishment. Kimo’s will also be the Fever’s Official Post Game party location after every home game. Plus Kimo’s will feed the players on Monday nights and again host the Tri Cities Fever Coaches Show heard live from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on 610 Information Radio KONA. Join the festivities March 1^st as it’s your opportunity to meet the Players, Coaches and Dance Team members. Ryan Lingenfelder and Cleveland Pratt will remain an assistant coaches for the Fever.  Training camp will open February 22^nd.

The Fever will be holding open tryouts on January 30, 2010 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.

• Football Team Tryouts