Spokane Shock the Renegades 63-26

Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Monday April 30, 2007

After two losses, the Shock  (1-2) came into tonight's game needing to prove that they are just as capable a team as last year's Shock.  The Lubbock Renegades (0-2) came tonight in search of their first win of the their inaugural season.  

In the first half, Lubbock offense struggled to get anything going against a fired-up Shock defense.  As the first half progressed, the Shock defense continued to make plays at critical moments, causing the ninth man to go crazy and keeping the momentum going in favor of the Shock.

On offense, the Shock started looking like a team.  While interviewing DS Rob Keefe, he mentioned that last year's Shock team had an advantage over this year's team because most of them had played together previously.  Their main concern last year was learning the arena football system whereas this year's team is learning both arena football and how to gel with each other.  

Coming into tonight's game, they offense played very well.  Even with continued added pressure by the Lubbock defense (including a sack) Shock QB Andrico Hines managed to connect with his receivers for gains and touchdowns.  

The Lubbock offense looked like a team with promise.  However, you could easily tell that they are struggling to build the chemistry necessary to establish presence on the field.  With multiple turn-overs and a Shock defense which has come into their own, Lubbock had no chance.

Lori's Take:

You're right, Shawn!  The Lubbock Renegades did have something to prove and did just that with the first score on the board in their first possession of the game.  Their defense really was putting on the pressure early, making me a little nervous as to how this game was going to play out.  WR Antwone Savage put my nerves at ease minutes later with his first touchdown of the night, a 6-yard pass from QB Andrico Hines. 

The Shock's defense then held the Renegades scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter.  At one point, the Renegades were attempting a field goal, but the outstanding Shock defense deflected the ball, resulting in a first down at the 5-yard line for the Shock.  Ben Brown's 5-yard rushing touchdown seconds later put the Shock on top 12 – 7.  

The Shock's WR Raoul “The Thrill” Vijil scored within the first few seconds of the second quarter, a 21-yard pass from QB Andrico Hines.  PK John Koker's extra point kick was good, allowing the Shock to pull further ahead, 18-7.  DL Katon Bethay then had a 1-yard run for a touchdown.  PK John Koker's kick was good, widening the lead 25-7.

Shock's defense continued to dominate in the second quarter, despite the Renegades' touchdown late in the quarter.  The extra point attempt by the Renegades' was no good, giving the ball back to Spokane.  WR Raul Vijil ended the last few seconds of the second quarter the same as he started, catching a 29-yard pass from Andrico Hines.  The extra point kick was good, Shock leading at the end of the first half 32-13.

The third quarter brought touchdowns from both teams. Shock WR Antwone Savage scored first, a

18-yard reception from QB Andrico Hines.  Renegades FB/LB Victor Mann scored late in the third.  Extra point kicks for both teams were good, but Shock ended the third quarter still on top with a score of 39 to 20.  

Shock's WR Andre Rector was making plays all night, but the most notable came in the fourth quarter when he received a pass from QB Andrico Hines and ran it down the field to place the Shock within easy scoring position.  DL Katon Bethay's second touchdown of the night came moments later, a 2-yard run.

DS Rob Keefe had his first of two interceptions of the game in the fourth quarter, eventually leading to the hard-fought touchdown by WR Antwone Savage.  PK John Koker's kick was good, Spokane up 51-20.  Keefe took his second interception, a 13-yard interception return for a touchdown with just two minutes left of play.  His touchdown was the final score of the game, sealing the win for the Shock 63-26 and bringing the 10,655 elated fans on their feet with excitement.