A Kickers Game: Shock Win 49–46
Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Thursday June 29, 2006
Tonight was another classic Shock comeback victory over the Albany Conquest.
There were a couple of concerns coming into tonight’s game for the Shock. Both Johnny Lamar and Charles Frederick were unable to participate. Johnny was nursing a sprained ankle and Charles Frederick got back late Friday after being with his family back home due to family illness. In their places were newcomers to the Shock, Isaiah Trufant and Jesse Hendrix. Both recently played for Eastern Washington University.
The Shock started out slow on offense in the first half. Alex Neist was having a tough time moving the ball and getting into a rhythm after coming off a bye-week. The Albany Conquest looked strong and solid throughout the first half. They were making plays and taking advantage of the Shock’s missed opportunities to move the ball. At the end of the first half, the Shock trailed Albany 14 to 30.
To combat the sluggish offense in the first half, Isaiah Trufant had some fantastic plays. He may be small, but he made his presence known with some incredible tackles and blocks. One of his memorable plays was when he was covering the Albany’s WR entering the end zone. Trufant leapt into the air and swatted the ball away from the receiver. The crowed roared with excitement over his coverage.
Starting the third quarter, everyone was concerned over Kevin Beard. He suffered an injury when he ran into the wall while making an amazing catch. Beard had been having a great night with one touchdown and several nice receptions that led to Shock touchdowns. Sideline diagnosis was a neck sprain and a chest contusion, resulting in Beard being taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Kevin, we are praying for a quick recovery.
During the first half the two teams began a back and forth on-side kick battle. The Shock continued this into the second half, while Albany stopped. I was curious why head coach Chris Siegfried continued with the on-side kicks. Was he trying to manage the clock by giving the ball to Albany? Was it because he was hoping that the Shock would recover the ball and take the lead?
When asked about the on-side kick strategy, Siegfried stated, "Yes. If we are having a tough time stopping the other guys, then giving them the ball and allowing them to score so we can get the ball back is definitely good time management. Otherwise they could eat up more of the clock."
It wasn’t until the end of the forth quarter that the strategy paid off. The Shock (who were behind 41-46) setup once again for an on-side kick. Instead, Shock kicker John Koker popped the ball up and over the Albany defense to the middle of the field. Jesse Hendrix recovered the ball on Albany’s 22-yard line. This led to a Shock touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion, giving the Shock a 49-46 lead with two minutes left in the game.
On the botched kick return, Albany started the next drive on their 1-yard line. The drive ended on the Shock’s 6-yard line, only to give up the game with an incomplete pass into the end zone! Why they didn’t tie it up with a field goal is beyond me. The Shock walked away with another win!
I would also like to add that the Shock’s offensive line has done a tremendous job this season in giving the quarterbacks time to make the plays. These guys are rarely interviewed, yet they are such an important part in helping the Shock receivers make their fantastic plays.
Lori’s Take:
Intense. That single word describes tonight’s game, even though the Shock waited until the second half to unleash the intensity. This game had me so wound up I nearly leapt from the press box from the excitement. Yeah, I know. You are not supposed to express any enthusiasm from the press box. However, it can’t be helped. I have discovered it is humanly impossible to sit through a Spokane Shock game with a poker face.
I was apprehensive at kickoff, knowing that Johnny Lamar was out with an injury and Charles Frederick was out due to family illness. However, my fears were erased once I saw how the two newest members of the Spokane Shock stepped up to the plate. Jesse Hendrix was brought in to replace Charles Frederick. Isaiah Trufant, younger brother of Seattle Seahawk, Marcus Trufant, was brought in to replace Johnny Lamar. Both players are new to af2, but you sure wouldn’t know it by watching how they played tonight.
Hendrix had an amazing acrobatic catch in the end zone. Unfortunately, his tumble over the wall to make that catch was ruled out of bounds. More about Hendrix in a moment.
Trufant, like his brother, was breaking up would-be Albany touchdowns all evening. I was also amazed watching his slim 5’7" frame tackle the big boys from Albany. Apparently, size is not an issue with Trufant, even though assistance from his teammates was needed in several instances to complete the tackle.
After the game I asked Trufant if it was in the Trufant genes to play football like that. He responded with a shy smile and an ever so humble " I guess so."
Spokane QB Kyle Rowley took to the field in the second half and led the Shock to an amazing 49 to 46 victory. He even cashed in on a touchdown of his own with a six-yard run in the fourth quarter. His calm and focus bought him time in many instances, one of which lead to a successful pass to Anthony Griffin for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.
Raul Vijil had another great night and gave the Shock four touchdowns. Thankfully, he was not severely injured during one of those touchdowns. One of the Albany players yanked on Vijil’s facemask hard enough to pull his head one way while the rest of his body went in for the touchdown. I cringed, thinking he might have been injured. However, Vijil bounced right back up, unfazed.
There were so many great plays tonight, but the one executed by the heroes of tonight’s game outshines them all. Shock kicker Jon Koker’s pooch kick that was recovered by Jesse Hendrix was without question the play of the game. I am fairly certain every fan in the arena was on their feet in celebration over this play. Even Head Coach Chris Siegfried got excited. He was so elated he ran out on the field to hug Koker.
The Shock travel to Arkansas to take on the Twisters. The Shock have two fantastic new players in Hendrix and Trufant. They also should have Lamar and Frederick back. Hmmm…something tells me the Twisters are going to get annihilated.
The Shock are still the team with the best record in the af2.
Shawn and Lori with their children Kaiden and Moriah live in beautiful Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Suffering from football withdrawals, the two diehard Seahawk fans found out that a new team was coming to town, the "Spokane Shock". Shawn and Lori are excited to cover the team as new sportswriters and new fans of Arena Football (you just can't beat year round football). GO SHOCK!!!
Shawn is in the process of completing and publishing an ebook entitled "The Complete HTPC Guide: Everyone's Guide To Building A Home Theater PC". Shawn has a structured wiring company where he helps homeowners create automated homes through the use of home electronics and computers.
Lori is an aspiring children's writer. After years of being an accomplished QA Analyst for a cutting edge software manufacturer, she now enjoys spending her time with her family and writing.
Shawn is in the process of completing and publishing an ebook entitled "The Complete HTPC Guide: Everyone's Guide To Building A Home Theater PC". Shawn has a structured wiring company where he helps homeowners create automated homes through the use of home electronics and computers.
Lori is an aspiring children's writer. After years of being an accomplished QA Analyst for a cutting edge software manufacturer, she now enjoys spending her time with her family and writing.
