Shawn's Take:

The division's top two teams went at it tonight to determine who was going to remain on top. 

It was a very good game.  It started out evenly matched.  It was a tug-of-war between the two teams.  Shock scored and then the Fever, back and forth.  It looked like whoever had the ball last was going to win.  I was impressed. The officiating was even excellent.

Then we had an injury.  Shock WR Raul Vijil re-injured his ankle and had to leave the game.   In came Shock WR Chico Mackey. He was everywhere and even managed to really get the Fever excited.  They swarmed around him.  On one of the plays, all I saw was Mackey get thrown into the air and three or four white jerseys land on top of him.  This drew an unnecessary roughness call on the Fever.  For the Shock, there was one name you heard over and over again: Mackey!  

Toward the end of the second quarter the Fever began to self-destruct.  Personal fouls plagued the Fever and I think was their biggest downfall.  Up until then, both teams were pretty evenly matched. 

With the Shock's excellent playing, the Fever could not get anything going on offense in the second half and the Shock defense continued to come up big with turnovers. 

After the game, we interviewed Shock LB Kelvin Morris, who has a tendency to attract illegal defense penalties for stepping outside the box.  I had mentioned to Lori I was going to ask him what his secret was to staying in the defensive box.   She asked me not to harass him about it, but when we met up with him I couldn't help but ask.  Before I quote him, I have to let you know that he is a great a guy with a very good sense of humor.  At least that is what I have perceived.  So when I asked him, he threw his head back and started laughing.  He stated, “Coach told me to be aggressive but lay off a little and break on the balls, if you will.  I have been doing a little better job.” We then asked him what he thought the difference was between tonight's game and their previous meeting with the Fever.  “Coach made us wear pads in the practices to prepare us.  As well as we had a competition all this week with the #1 offense vs. the #1 defense.”

We then interviewed Alex Teems and asked him what he thought was the turning point of the game?  “I think the most important play was the 4th down and goal line stop.  That was when the momentum changed.”

We loved the game and could definitely tell that the Shock are looking like the championship team we all expected.

Lori's Take:

The Shock defense took charge and fought with a vengeance tonight.  And it wasn't just the fearsome threesome shaking things up tonight.  OL/DL Marquess Ledbetter delivered the first sack on Fever QB Brian Baker late in the first quarter.  He brought Baker down later in the second quarter as well.

Shock DL Devin Parks then started the second quarter with a sack, resulting in a fumble by Fever QB Brian Baker.  Shock recovered the fumble.   On the next play, Shock QB Andrico Hines connected with WR Antwone Savage for a 12-yard touchdown reception.  Parks also sacked Baker in the third quarter.

Fever QB Brian Baker was also shocked by a sack from LB/WR Anthony Brown.  Despite the sacks, the Fever still managed to score.  However, I feel the Fever offense was wore down greatly by our defense.  No score was easy for the Fever. 

A fumble by WR Antwone Savage late in the second quarter seemed sure to result in a Fever touchdown.  However, the Shock defense fought mightily and prevented a score with DS Nygel Roger's interception in the last second of the first half of the game.

In addition to the defense stopping the Fever at 4th and goal, I feel the fumble recovery for a touchdown by LB Jermaine Harris sealed the victory for the Shock.

Offensively, the Shock received a blow early in the first quarter when WR Raul Vijil went out with an injury.  WR Chico Mackey stepped up for the injured Vijil and was the first to score for the Shock with a 6-yard touchdown run.  Although only having one touchdown tonight, Mackey lead the Shock in receptions with a total of seven for 50-yards.

In usual form, WR Antwone Savage lead the team in touchdown receptions tonight, with a total of four touchdowns.  Three of his four touchdowns were in the second half of the game, one of which was a 25-yard reception from QB Andrico Hines.  Savage also had three kick returns for a total of 35-yards.

QB Andrico Hines also connected twice with WR Kelvin Dickens for touchdowns.  Both touchdowns were in the fourth quarter, a 4-yard pass and a 13-yard pass respectively.  Although I hated to see Vijil go out with an injury, it was nice to see Dickens and Mackey step up and perform so beautifully.

I must also mention OL/DL Katon Bethay.  Although disappointed upon hearing that OL Ben Brown had been placed on reassignment, I was pleased to see how well Bethay filled his shoes.  Bethay lead the team in rushing tonight with a total of six carries for 36-yards.  It was also quite comical to see how many white jerseys it took to bring him down.

Tonight's win holds the Shock in first place in the division and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.  The outcome of the next two games will determine the number of playoff games that will be held on the Shock's home field.  Like many other fans, I am praying for two Shock victories so that the 9th man can help cheer their team to another Arena Cup championship.