Sunday, Jul. 20, 2008

Fever stumbles on the road

HERALD STAFF

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The Tri-Cities Fever two-month descent down the arenafootball2 league standings reached a new low Saturday night.

The Fever dropped a 66-40 decision to Stockton at Stockton Arena, assuring Tri-Cities it would finish in last place in the West Division standings.

Tri-Cities extended its franchise-worst losing streak to six games with one game left in the regular season.

Tri-Cities closes out the season Saturday against a Central Valley team that is fighting for playoff positioning. The teams have split their first two meetings this season.

The Fever's last victory was May 31 when it beat Boise 57-46 at Toyota Center.

Tri-Cities was blown out for the fifth straight game after playing a forgettable first half.

The Fever, led by quarterback John Pierce, scored on its first drive of the game that made the score 7-7.

That would be the Fever's only score in the first half.

The Lightning (5-11), which improved to 2-1 against the Fever this season, reeled off 33 straight points to take a 41-7 lead at halftime behind former Zillah High quarterback Andy Collins.

Collins finished the game 18-of-29 passing for 196 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for two scores.

Tali Ena did his best to keep the Fever in the game in the second half, replacing Pierce and throwing four touchdowns.

Ena finished 15-of-23 for 181 yards.

Pierce was 7-of--17 passing for 66 yards and two interceptions. He did not throw a touchdown.