In a league geared towards high octane offenses, Spokane clamped down and made life difficult for Iowa’s veteran quarterback JJ Raterink.  Raterink, despite a season high 40 passing attempts, could only muster four touchdown passes against a stingy Shock defense. Iowa often had no trouble moving the ball down the field. But their fortunes would dramatically shift when they entered the red zone.  Iowa’s offense came to a screeching halt nearly every time they sniffed the goal line. Barnstormers’ coach Mike Hohenesse tried a number of different plays, but they rarely resulted with six on the scoreboard.  It seemed like Hohenesse was very hesitant to let Raterink throw the football from the two or three yard line. One play in particular stood out. On 1^st down from Spokane’s three yard line, Barnstormers’ WR Darius Reynolds took a pitch from Raterink. Reynolds then tossed the football into the endzone for a completion- that completion being to Spokane’s Marc Schiechl. It was unclear whether the play was a designed HB option trick play, or if Reynolds panicked and threw it up for grabs. Either way, it was a failed play and a huge momentum swing in favor of the Shock.

 

Goal line stands were the norm for the Shock in Des Moines, Iowa. The Barnstormers had a chance to score right before half time and make it a two score game. After a Spokane penalty, Iowa had the ball on the Shock four yard line. In four plays, Raterink and his offense could muster only three yards, and frustratingly headed into the locker room with a nineteen point deficit. Considering that Iowa received the ball at halftime and scored a touchdown, getting stopped right before the first half buzzer had immense ramifications.

 

In arena football, a team is only as good as their quarterback. Luckily for Andy Olson and the Shock, they have Erik Meyer. Meyer has been nearly flawless through Spokane’s opening three game road slate, carving up every defense he’s come across. The former Eastern Washington Eagle completed 70% of his passes for 330 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s an early front runner for this season’s AFL MVP award. His production stems from a talented receiving corps and a devout offensive line. He was sacked for the first time this season, a testament to the clean pockets Meyer has been able to work with. Adron Tenell continued his fine season, catching ten balls for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Kamar Jorden, an AFL rookie, is acclimating well to the indoor game. He has been Meyer’s dependable #2 option thus far in 2013.

 

Meyer earned more than just a win in Iowa. He also got his revenge on Iowa LB John Mohring. In week one of the 2012 campaign, Mohring decked Meyer well after he had released the football. It was a late hit that ended Meyer’s 2012 season. On multiple occasions, Erik Meyer could be seen jawing at Iowa fans and players. The night held special meaning for a now healthy and rejuvenated Erik Meyer.

                

The Spokane Shock are a team that will make some serious noise this season. Head coach Andy Olson outcoached an AFL legend in Mike Hohensee, and the offense had little trouble against the AFL’s top scoring defense. But Spokane can’t spend too much time celebrating their 3-0 start. The Arizona Rattlers, a seemingly unstoppable force, come rolling into Spokane with an identical record. A win against the defending Arenabowl champions will emphatically announce that the Shock are not to be trifled with. Friday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PST.

Jeffrey Giuliani is a sports journalist from Renton, Washington. He is a senior at Western Washington Univeristy where he is studying journalism. Giuliani is currently the sports editor for his college paper, The Western Front and hopes to move on to a daily after obtaining his degree. This will be his third season covering the Spokane Shock for ArenaFan.