Shock Defeat Coyotes 66-63
Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Friday June 1, 2007
Shawn's Take:
The first quarter was all Shock.
The offense looked much improved compared to previous home games. They moved the ball well and struck fast and hard. The defense was equally impressive in the first quarter.
At the beginning of the season ,Shock head coach Adam Shackleford made a comment that Shock kicker John Koker could very well be the secret weapon of the Shock. He stated that Koker has great hang time which gives our special teams guys a chance to get down the field and make some big plays. Since he said that, I have been paying special attention to Koker and how he affects the overall game tempo. Tonight, he kicked well and had some great bounces, which allowed the Shock an opportunity to make some great stops. This scenario continued to plague the Coyotes which often resulted terrible field position.
This of course kept the Shock fired up and the Coyotes off balance. At the end of the first, the Shock led 21 – 12.
However, in the second quarter, the Coyotes started to wake up and get into the game. They quickly gained momentum and tied up the game within the last four minutes of the half.
Shock QB Andrico Hines was injured on a fantastic run which resulted in Shock QB Justin Rummel coming in to finish off the first half.
Rummel started out shaky but settled down soon after scrambling and making excellent plays. The second half continued to be a back and forth game all the way down to the last second of the game.
With a minute left the Coyote's had possession and was marching down the field for what would be their final touchdown.
I was irritated!
My first thought with 1 minute left in the game was, with this being a possession game, why in the world aren't the Shock just letting them walk in for a touchdown? So, finally with 21 seconds left, the Shock gave the Coyotes their final touchdown.
Now with less than 20 seconds, the Shock received the ball and ended up making a touchdown and winning the game.
After the game we interviewed head coach Adam Shackleford and asked him only one question about the game. Why did they not give the touchdown to the Coyotes with 1 minute left in the game? Adam responded, “We did with 21 seconds left. The defense did not like hearing that they should let them score.”
We also interviewed Shock QB Justin Rummel. Rummel who up until two weeks ago had never even heard of Spokane Washington was very happy coming away with a win that the Shock so desperately needed. We asked him how it felt playing in front of our fans and arena football, “Back home we don't have that many fans. The loud music before the snap and everything like that is a whole new atmosphere.”
I could tell that there was something different about the Shock tonight. They played well on offense and defense, but more than anything, they had chemistry. I believe we have witnessed the Shock turnaround for the season.
Lori's Take:
Wow! Tonight's game was reminiscent of the edge-of-your seat games of the 2006 Shock to which the 9th man had grown accustomed. Despite the Shock gaining a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter, the Central Valley Coyotes (mainly WR Tonae Martin) managed to put points on the board and tie the game three different times.
Shock WR Antwone Savage set the momentum with a 49-yard kick-off return, which led to the 1-yard rushing touchdown of FB/LB Ben Brown. Savage was also responsible for two touchdowns in the game, one an 18-yard reception from QB Justin Rummel, the second a 1-yard reception. Savage ended the game as brilliantly as he began.
His kick-off return with 14 seconds left in the game allowed for WR Kelvin Dickens' 18-yard touchdown reception in the last second of the game. Quite amazing feats for a guy who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
When asked about the team's performance, Kelvin Dickens said, ”We feel great. We are starting to gel as a team. Off the field we are doing a lot of activities together, it's starting to help us on the field. We are coming together so tough and tight now. I love the fans!”
Tonight was the night for newcomers to shine. QB Justin Rummel took over in the second quarter after QB Andrico Hines went out with a hamstring injury. Although his start was a bit shaky, Rummel really wowed the crowd with his ability to scramble and throw bullets to his receivers. Rummel also put points on the board with a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. What makes Rummel's performance even more impressive is the fact that he joined the Shock just a little over a week ago.
LB/WR Anthony Brown, also new to the Shock, scored in the first quarter, catching a 5-yard pass from QB Andrico Hines. Anthony also was awarded with the Cutters Catch of the Game for his amazing reception of a deep pass from QB Justin Rummel late in the first half. This catch put the Shock at the 1-yard line and allowed for the subsequent 1-yard touchdown reception by WR Antwone Savage.
Last, but certainly not least, allow me to praise WR Kelvin Dickens. Dickens lead the team in touchdowns tonight with a total of four. The first touchdown was a 43-yard reception from QB Andrico Hines late in the first quarter, the second a 31-yard reception from QB Justin Rummel. Rummel also connected with Dickens two more times in the fourth quarter, including the 18-yard touchdown reception that brought the Shock victory.
As several of the Shock players have commented, it appears the team is truly “gelling” and pulling together to make plays. I look forward to watching the team work their magic as they take on the Everett Hawks on June 2, 2007. If the Shock continue to play as well as they did tonight, I am sure the 9th man will be witnessing another Shock victory.
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.