Talons Fail to Contain Powerful Shock Offense
Saturday May 25, 2013
Talons Fall to Shock 48-61
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Talons (4-5) fell to the Spokane Shock (7-3) 48-61 in front of a crowd of 7,961 at the Alamodome on Friday night. After an evening plagued by 20 flags and losing Nick Hill only minutes into the first quarter, Xavier Lee stepped up by completing 22- of- 48 passes for 237 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Lee made his mark on the night by converting 5 of 7 fourth downs giving San Antonio numerous opportunities to catch the aggressive Shock offense. The Talons suffered their first loss in three games, and failed to rise above .500 for the first time this season.
The Talons started the game with two straight defensive penalties allowing the Shock to strike first with a quick 22 yard touchdown pass from Meyer to Adron Tennell to take the lead 7-0. Talons wide receiver Sale Key secured three straight receptions and moved the ball into Shock territory. Hill finished the drive with a 12 yard scramble to the end zone tying the game at 7 apiece.
The first quarter proved to be a scoring battle when Adron Tennell hauled in a 33 yard touchdown Pass for his second score of the first quarter. In an attempt to answer back, Nick Hill was put out of the game with a knee injury. Xavier Lee entered the game in the quarterback position. Lee completed a 4th down pass to D.J. Stephens for his first AFL completion.
San Antonio would not let an injured Nick Hill get in the way. A 13 yard touchdown strike from Lee to Jomo Wilson would tie the score at 14-14 going into the second quarter. Another Reception by Tennell set up the shock deep in Talons territory at the end of the first quarter.
The Talons defense did not hinder the high powered Shock offense, allowing Meyer to complete another touchdown pass, this time to Receiver Kamar Jorden. A Missed extra point by Taylor Rowan, left the score at 20-14 in favor of Spokane.
Xavier Lee successfully converted another fourth down to Jomo Wilson after Wilson broke two tackles and waltzed his way into the end zone. The two hooked up twice for touchdowns in the first half. Talons took the lead 21-20 with 10:38 left in the second quarter.
Adron Tennell answered right back with a 20 yard reception, taking the ball down to the Talons 1 yard-line. Meyer Punched it in from the one to score and give the Shock a 27-21 lead with nine minutes to play in the first half. The Talons defense looked to be on their heels unable to contain the Shock offense early on. Lee completed 3 passes on 4th down in the first half.
The first defensive stop came with less than 2 minutes left in the first half when a pass from Lee to Wilson fell incomplete, giving Spokane the Ball after a loss of downs. The Shock gained their way inside the 10 yard line with 12 seconds left and a chance to extend their lead before the half. Duane Brooks capitalized on the opportunity and was on the receiving end of another Meyer touchdown pass to end the first half with a 34-21 lead.
Despite a very uneventful third quarter, Lee may earn a new nickname “Mr. 4th down” after this performance. Another conversion on a 4th down quarterback sneak kept the Talons first drive alive. The Talons great drive to begin the 2nd half ended with a poor decision by Xavier Lee after throwing into double coverage and ultimately being picked off by Patrick Stoudamire in the end zone.
Meyer pushed the Shock lead to 40-21 with 6 minutes left in the 2nd half, on a QB scramble to capture the only score of the third quarter.
After Jomo Wilson’s opening drive touchdown of the fourth quarter, Ruffins reeled in his 2nd touchdown in two games bringing the Talons within 5 points of the Shock lead with 9 minutes to go in the final quarter 40-35. Adron Tennell scored his third touchdown of the game and extended the Shock lead to 47-35.
D.J. Stephens on the ensuing kickoff ran it all the way back for a touchdown, giving San Antonio a glimmer of hope within six after a missed extra point by Talons Kicker Stefan Demos. Within four minutes of his run back, Stephens brought another kickoff back for a touchdown after a score by the shock, the Talons trailed the Spokane 54-48. Despite a valiant fourth quarter effort, San Antonio’s defense was unable to stop Adron Tennell throughout the three and a half hour fight. Tennell scored his 4th and final touchdown on a big 3rd down play extending the final score to 61-48.
The San Antonio Talons are in their second season in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team was moved to San Antonio from Tulsa, Okla. in 2012 and won the AFL’s Central Division title, as well as hosted their first AFL playoff game in the 2012 season. For more information or to ask about season tickets please call 210.227.TEAM.
