Sunday, Jul. 27, 2008

Fever drops season finale in Fresno

By the Herald staff

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Tri-Cities Fever's season came to an end with another loss Saturday night.

Tri-Cities quarterback Tali Ena was intercepted in the final minute and Central Valley held on for a 71-64 arenafootball2 league victory at the Save Mart Center.

It was the Fever's seventh straight loss to end what was a franchise-worst season at 4-12.

"If it wasn't one thing, it was another," said Fever coach Cedric Walker. "That's how it has been all season. It's the little things."

Central Valley (10-6) opens the playoffs at Arkansas (11-5) next week. It is the third straight season the Coyotes have won 10 games and reached the playoffs.

The Fever, which trailed by 13 points late in the third quarter, regained the lead on a LaMonte Jones touchdown catch from Ena to make the score 64-63.

Central Valley came back and took the lead for good with 50 seconds left on Ja Jomo Wilson touchdown catch.

J.R. Thomas was one of the lone bright spots for the Fever, catching 10 passes for a season-high 205 yards and five TDs.

"I am proud of these guys. They didn't quit," Walker said.