Shock Week 14 Game Preview
Thursday June 25, 2015
SPOKANE - The Shock (4-8, 1-3) will return to Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Week 14 to take on a Pacific Division opponent in the San Jose Sabercats (12-1, 4-0) this Friday, June 26 for a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Game coverage will be available on SWX-TV, the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane, and online via WatchESPN.
The Sabercats lead the all-time series 7-5. In the first two matchups between the teams this season, San Jose has outscored Spokane by a total of 138-54.
During the Week 8 matchup in Spokane, the Sabercats jumped out to a 49-21 lead at the half and held the Shock scoreless in the final quarter of play on their way to an 83-28 blowout win. San Jose quarterback Nathan Stanley passed for eight touchdowns on the night while the Sabercats defense intercepted Shock quarterback Warren Smith three times. The 55-point deficit was the all-time largest margin of defeat suffered by the Spokane franchise.
In Week 11 in San Jose, Sabercats quarterback Erik Meyer returned as the signal caller and passed for 260 yards and five touchdowns on the night while adding two scores on the ground. San Jose jumped out to a 28-13 lead at the half and would then hold Spokane scoreless in the third quarter in route to a 55-26 final. Spokane’s 26 offensive points set a new franchise record for the lowest point total in a game.
San Jose has locked up their Pacific Division title this season and currently sits at number one in league rankings with a 12-1 overall record. Arizona is chasing at 10-2 with one matchup remaining between the teams scheduled for July 31 in San Jose.
Spokane still has playoff ambitions after recording a win against Portland last weekend to move them one game ahead of the Thunder. The Shock’s 4-8 overall record also ties
them with the Las Vegas Outlaws. The Shock and Thunder will face off one final time in regular season play on July 25 in Spokane and Spokane will visit Las Vegas for the final regular season game of 2015 on August 8.
The Sabercats only loss so far this season came against Los Angeles two weeks ago. San Jose reportedly sat a number of their key starters, resulting in a 42-48 upset by the Kiss. Quarterback Erik Meyer threw three interceptions in the game and was sacked five times while Kiss quarterback Danny Southwick threw for 285 yards and five touchdowns. The Kiss recorded a kick return for a score and also returned one of Meyer’s interceptions for a touchdown (Kizer).
Last Week, San Jose bounced back against Las Vegas with a 63-31 victory. The Sabercats held the Outlaws to only three points in the second quarter and then followed up after the break by holding Las Vegas scoreless in the third quarter of play. While quarterback Erik Meyer only passed for two passing scores on the night, the Sabercats recorded six rushing touchdowns. JJ Raterink returned under center for the Outlaws and was intercepted three times on the night.
Spokane bounced back last Sunday and recorded their first division win of the season against rival Portland. Jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, Carson Coffman passed for nine touchdowns on the night while the Shock defense recorded three interceptions on the night. Despite a late rally by the Thunder led by quarterback Kyle Rowley, the Shock were able to hold on for a 69-54 win. Spokane’s 69-points was the largest offensive output of the season.
The Shock will have their hands full this weekend with the league’s number one ranked offense in San Jose (59.4 points per game). The Sabercats have also held their opponents to a league best 37.4 points per game defensively.
Carson Coffman is anticipated to get the nod once again this weekend for the Shock after he completed 20-of-32 pass attempts for 328 yards and nine touchdowns last weekend against the Thunder. Receiver Nick Truesdell had his best game of the season as he recorded seven receptions for 124 yards and five touchdowns. Jabin Sambrano also showcased his added value to the Spokane offense as he hauled in eight receptions for 125 yards and two receiving scores.
One of the key matchups to this weekend’s game will be the San Jose offense and the Shock defense who have given up a league worst 58.1 points per game. The Shock added rookie defensive back Mike McMillan to the mix last weekend against the Thunder and he recorded two interceptions in his debut. San Jose receiver Reggie Gray continues to showcase his big-play ability within the Sabercats offense as he has recorded a team-best 110 receptions for 1,195 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games this season.
The Spokane pass rush will need to ramp up their pressure against the Sabercats after recording only one sack last weekend in Portland. James Ruffin has recorded 6.5 of the team’s 18 total sacks on the season.
The San Jose offense is ranked 11th in the AFL in sacks by opposing teams (24). Meanwhile, the Sabercats defense has posted a league-best 32 sacks on the year with three of their pass rushers ranked in the top six of the AFL. Mac-linebacker Francis Maka has recorded 8 sacks in 13 games while nose guard Jason Stewart has added 7.5. Defensive end Donte Paige-Moss has also added 6.5 sacks in 11 games.
------
SPOKANE SHOCK MISSION
The Spokane Shock strive to deliver to our fans a high quality entertainment experience while serving and representing the Inland Northwest on and off the field as a proud member of the Arena Football League.
ABOUT THE SPOKANE SHOCK
The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The Shock played their first four seasons in the former af2, winning division titles in all four seasons and ArenaCups in 2006 and 2009 before joining the AFL and winning ArenaBowl XXIII in their first season. The Shock will kick off their 10th Anniversary Season in 2015. Tickets and Sponsorships are available. For more information visit our website at spokaneshock.com or call 509-242-7462. You can also follow the Shock on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and YouTube.
