Shawn's Take:

In preparation for tonight's game, I followed the Shock message board threads wanting to know what the fans were saying about the Quad City/Spokane match-up.  The Shock fans had been viewing Quad City's fan site and getting engergized!  They were commenting on the Steamwheeler fans giving flack about how Quad City was going to hand the Shock another "L".  Undoubtedly, the Shock fans coming into tonight's game were excited and ready to hand Quad City a dose of number 9 just to prove who was boss.

Down on the field, however, another duel was starting between players and coaches.  Not only was Quad City's defensive coordinator the former Shock defensive coordinator, players from both teams were pumped for this highly anticipated game.  

Quad City wanted to show their defensive muscle against an unknown offense tonight and did so.  There was a lot of banter amongst the player from both teams.  But the Shock also answered with some impressive defense.  Defense was key in the first half.  The teams were so evenly matched, it was a game that would be determined by who had the ball last.

However, starting in the second half, there was a noticeable difference in play from the Shock.  The defense was not nearly as fired up and QB Andrico Hines went into self-destruct mode.  With three interceptions and a half-hearted defense, the Shock was shut down by a steady performance by Quad City.

When all was said and done, the Shock were handed an "L" by Quad City.  Not because Quad City was a better team with more talent, but rather because the Shock defeated themselves through either bad plays or the lack of making plays.

We asked Antwone Savage how he viewed the teams' performance tonight.  He said, "I had a great game and felt good out there.  But we are a team and one man can't do it all.  This is a lesson that we must learn from and move on.  That's all there is to it!"

We asked head coach Adam Shackleford for his take on the game.  He said,  "We did not make the plays in the second half when we needed to.  Period."

I am sure the entire team will be reflecting on their own performances and look forward to better days ahead.
 

Lori's Take:

Both teams played with fervor upon kick-off.  Quad City was super-charged after their annihilation of the Cincinnati Jungle Kats 81-21 in week one.  Spokane, electrifying as usual for the home crowd, was anxious not to allow Quad City a repeat of last week.

It was back-and-forth possession in the first quarter, Quad City being the first to score very late in the quarter.  However, WR/DB Raul Vijil scored the first touchdown for the Shock, catching a 23-yard pass from QB Andrico Hines in the last seconds of the first quarter.

It was more of the same in the second quarter.  Shock's DS Nygel Rogers got the defense fired up with an interception in the end zone.  It appeared that the Shock were on their way to another score, but the ball was intercepted a few plays later, resulting in an eventual touchdown for Quad City.

Shock's WR Antwone Savage quickly answered back with a 35-yard touchdown from QB Andrico Hines.  PK John Koker's extra point kick was good, tying the game at 14-14.

Quad City managed to pull ahead yet again, despite a hard fight from Shock's defense.  WR Antwone Savage then scored his second touchdown, catching a 17-yard pass from QB Andrico Hines.  Unfortunately, the extra point attempt from PK John Koker was no good.  The second quarter ended with the Shock trailing 21-20.

And then all unraveled in the second half.  Despite a touchdown by FB/LB Ben Brown in the third quarter and three touchdowns by WR Raul Vijil in the fourth, the Shock just could not stop Quad City, who scored six touchdowns in the second half.

QB Andrico Hines threw two more interceptions, both resulting in scores for Quad City.  The Shock were already suffering with the loss of WR Chico Mackey and LB Kelvin Morris, both out with injuries.  Losing DS Rob Keefe in the fourth quarter definitely contributed to Quad City rolling over any remaining steam from the Shock.

Despite LB Wyatt Gayer's numerous impassioned pleadings to the fans for more noise, the crowd seemed to have also lost their steam.  It was very disappointing to watch fans abandoning their team mid-way through the fourth quarter.   Despite the obvious fact that there was no way to come back for a win, the Shock played to the bitter end.   Fans, if you'd have stayed to support your team, you would have witnessed WR Raul Vijil's third touchdown of the fourth quarter, catching a 19-yard pass from relief QB Matt Guttierrez in the last second of the game.

Yes, I was disappointed in the performance.  However, that does not mean that I will only be a Shock fan as long as they are winning.  We're now 1 - 1, but I'm still jazzed about the next home game against the Lubbock Renegades.  Ninth man, please join me in cheering our Shock into playing the electrifying football we know they are capable of.