Backup gets called on -- a lot -- in win over Tri-Cities

There haven?t been too many discussions in the Qwest Arena press area about an offensive lineman winning the JLS Ironman of the Game award. But, after watching backup lineman Marcis Fennell take the field on virtually every play Saturday night against the Tri-Cities, the conversation flowed. Jomo Wilson ultimately took home the honors, but Fennell came in a close second in the voting. Fennell?s role had been small most of the season for Boise (12-2), but a pregame injury to fullback Damian Walker and in-game injury to defensive tackle Mark Weivoda put the University of Idaho product front and center in front of more than 4,000 fans in Boise. With Walker out, Fennell became the primary fullback and was in on every offensive play. Once Weivoda went out, Fennell split time at defensive tackle with another offensive lineman, Palauni Ma Sun. The 6-foot-2, 325-pounder is also on almost every Burn special team unit: Kickoff, kickoff return, and deep snapper for field goals and extra points. In all, the Burn coaching staff estimates Fennell was on the field for about 80 percent of all plays in Boise?s 63-21 win. ?He?s been an excellent role player for us,? head coach Brent Winter said. ?He?s very diverse in what he can do on the field and we needed every bit of that diversity.? The coaching staff rewarded that diversity late in the second quarter, calling Fennell?s number near the goal line and the big fella responded with his first professional touchdown run. ?We wanted him to get that score,? Winter said. ?It?s a nice reward for him, for everything he?s done for us this season.? Boise travels to Albany, GA, this weekend to face the South Georgia Wildcats (9-5). Game time is 5:30 PM (Mtn) Saturday night and can be watched online at BoiseBurn.com via NiFTy-TV. There is no cost to view the online broadcast. It can also be listened to live in the Treasure Valley on KGEM radio (1140 AM) with Scott Conklin handling the play-by-play duties.