Friday, Jul. 24, 2009

'All is forgotten' if Fever win Saturday's finale

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK -- Pat O'Hara is on the verge of having selective amnesia.

If his Tri-Cities Fever can somehow close this dismal season with a win Saturday night, the last 11 games will all be a blur.

"If we can have one night where we put it all together, all is forgotten," O'Hara said.

Well, that's not entirely true.

O'Hara, who took over the Fever after an 0-5 start, said he has learned a lot of lessons these past three months. But through it all, he has maintained a positive attitude and continued to keep his players motivated.

He says this week is no different. And the likelihood of the Fever (2-13) pulling out a win this weekend isn't too far-fetched.

Tri-Cities takes on a banged-up Central Valley (3-12) team that has lost nine straight games.

The Coyotes' last win was May 2, a 64-44 win over the Fever at Toyota Center in O'Hara's first game as Fever coach.

Since then, Central Valley has gone through a handful of quarterbacks and it looks to have a different one again this week.

Former Fever quarterback Jimmy Collins started for the Coyotes last week in a 74-26 home loss to Spokane. He was released earlier this week.

He was the third quarterback to start for the Coyotes who has played with the Fever this season (Joe Ayoob, Ryan Porter and Collins).

"I am excited for the players," O'Hara said. "They have been through so much; they know they have a chance to win this game."

The Fever nearly pulled off a shocker last week, losing 44-37 at Rio Grande Valley in a game it trailed by 17 points in the second half. But a late interception off a tipped pass ended what could have been the game-tying drive in the final minute.

"Hopefully this is our night to put it all together," O'Hara said.

NOTES: Defensive linemen Jo'Artis Ratti and Chuck Jones are expected to play tonight. Ratti missed last week's game because of a funeral and Jones has not played since June 20 at Spokane. ... Receiver Finas Rabb is expected to miss his second straight game with an injured shoulder.

* Ben Reynolds: 509-582-1509; breynolds@tricityherald.com.