Boise Catches a Fever in Tri-Cities

Kennewick, WA- Seven and a half months ago the Boise Burn fell three points shy of the playoffs, despite knocking off the Tri-Cities Fever 52-42 at the Toyota Center last July 28. During a preseason scrimmage on Mar. 16, Coach Leslie had a chance to see what the 2008 edition of the Burn looked like as his team took on those same Fever at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wa.The Burn, dressed in their orange practice jerseys, opened the game on offense. Boise got off to a quick start as QB BJ Rhode connected on a 32 yard pass to Ahmad Harris but the Burn were held scoreless on the drive after Rhode?s 4th down pass to Chris Bruhn was incomplete. Defensively, Travis Tofi picked up where he left in 2007 by sacking Fever QB Ryan Porter on Tri-Cities fourth play from scrimmage and Levi Madarieta picked off porter three plays later taking it back 22 yards for the score and the early 7-0 lead. The Fever answered with at 10 yd TD Pass from Porter to Phil Goodman making the score 7-6 after the missed P.A.T. On the drive the Burn were tagged with a pair of pass interference calls that led to good field position for the Fever.In the second quarter BJ Rhode found Shadrach Okoebor for the 3 yard TD, Nate Royer tacked on the P.A.T Burn led 14-6 at the 12:49 mark of the second quarter. Rhode finished the game 6-9 for 87 yards and the 1 TD. Following a defensive stop, the Burn unable to take advantage of good field position, settled for a 25 yard field goal by Nate Royer for the 17-6 lead. Just over two minutes later- Fever QB John Pierce threw up a lob pass to Goodman who made the catch to get the Fever to within 4 at 17-13. Following a pair of fumbles by each team, Nate Royer drilled a 33 yard field goal giving the Burn the 20-13 lead at the break.The first play of the second half Fever DB Raschaud Dodd-Masters picked off a Jason Campbell pass and returned it 5 yards for the score tying the game at 20. Boise answered two plays later when Campbell hit a wide open Shadrach Okoebor for a 31 yard TD pass giving the Burn the 27-20 lead. 2 plays later Ryan Porter threw a 40 yard strike to Lemonte Jones, the P.A.T. no good Boise led 27-26 with 8:25 left to go in the 3rd quarter. After a Jason Campbell fumble, John Pierce found former Boise Burn Larue Burley in the corner of the endzone for the TD giving the Fever their first lead of the game 33-27. Former Eagle High School standout Royal Gill played the last quarter and half throwing his only TD of the game to Burn receiver Casey Allen a 12 yard strike pulling Boise to within three at 36-33. Mark Weivoda would sack fever QB Shawn Brady for a safety making the score 36-35 and giving the ball back to Boise with 3:58 left to go in the game. With 46 seconds left in the game Nate Royer, fighting for a spot on the roster, missed a 43 yard field goal and the Fever held on to win the game 36-35. Coach Leslie suited up 30 players and played all in the scrimmage. The Burn roster will be cut to the final 22 by this Friday, Mar. 21. Official stats were not kept for the scrimmage. The Boise Burn kick off their 2008 season on April 5th at the defending af2 champion Tulsa Talons. The Burn Home opener is April 19th against the Tri Cities Fever. Season tickets for the 2008 season are on sale now. Call (208) 383-0080 and ask to speak to a ticket account executive.- www.boiseburn.com -