Shock fall to Rattlers 59-42
Sunday June 16, 2013
Spokane offense struggles, defense unable to slow down Arizona
SPOKANE, WA (June 15, 2013) – The Spokane Shock (9-4, 3-2) faced off against West Division rival Arizona Rattlers (12-1, 4-1) at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz in a Week 13 Net10 Wireless Arena Football League matchup. In a battle of number one versus two the Shock were unable to pull off the upset, falling to the Rattler’s by a final score of 59-42.
Arizona quarterback Nick Davila opened the game with a 5-play drive, capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Windsor to take the early lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Shock return specialist Terrance Sanders would take the kick all the way to the Arizona 4-yard line and set up a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Erik Meyer to tie the game at 7-7. Arizona fullback Odie Armstrong would make his presence known on the goal line, taking in the short sweep to put Arizona back on top before the league’s deadliest quarterback and wide receiver duo in Erik Meyer and Adron Tennell would connect for their first touchdown of the night, tying the game at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Continuing their drive in the second quarter Arizona took the lead at 21-14 on a short touchdown run by Odie Armstrong, his second of the night. After the Shock failed to convert on fourth down, the Rattler’s responded after the turnover with short field goal after the Spokane defense was able to hold Arizona to a fourth down on the 2-yard line, extending their lead to 24-14 with four minutes remaining in the half. After the Shock responded on their next possession on a 7-yard touchdown catch by Kamar Jorden, the Shock failed to recover the onside kick and set Arizona up on their own 10-yard line. Rattler quarterback Nick Davila would go on to connect with wide receiver Rod Windsor for the second time in the first half, extending the Arizona lead to 31-21 at the end of the second quarter.
In second half action the Shock would begin their opening drive on the 20-yard line but an errant pass by Erik Meyer downfield would be intercepted by Rattler’s defensive back Virgil Gray, giving Arizona their second defensive stop of the game. Taking over the possession, Nick Davila would lead the Arizona offense down the field and connect for the third time on the night with wide receiver Rod Windsor to put the Rattlers up by a score of 38-21. On the Shock’s next possession, Erik Meyer would connect with Adron Tennell for a 10-yard score and his second touchdown of the night to bring Spokane back within ten points. Needing a stop, the Shock defense dug in and held the Rattler’s to a four-and-out to take over possession on their own 19-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Erik Meyer connected with Adron Tennell on a 5-yard hitch route that Adron would take the catch up the middle of the field and receive a ferocious block by Kamar Jorden to spring the 31-yard score and bring the game back within three points at 38-35. After back to back scores by Spokane, Arizona responded with a 5-play drive that would be capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Nick Davila to Trandon Harvey to push the Rattler’s back up by two possessions as the third quarter came to an end.
On a fourth and twenty five Spokane attempted the long field goal that would come up short, allowing the Rattler’s to field the miss and return it all the way to the Shock 5-yard line setting up a short touchdown pass from Nick Davila to Kerry Reed and giving Arizona the 52-35 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the contest. On Spokane’s next possession, they would again be held to another four-and-out by the Rattler’s and allow Arizona quarterback to lead the offense down the short field and score on a 9-yard pass to Trandon Harvey to give the Rattler’s a 58-35 lead. Making a final push late, Erik Meyer would lead the Shock offense down field and connect with wide receiver Adron Tennell for the 4-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap to 59-42 as Arizona would go on to run out the clock and defeat the Shock in the “Snake Pit.”
Shock quarterback Erik Meyer completed 29 of 43 attempts for 256 yards and 5 touchdowns with 1 interception. Adron Tennell led the Shock receiving effort, hauling in 15 receptions for 110 yards and 4 touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins reeled in 9 receptions on the night for 111 yards.
Arizona quarterback Nick Davila completed 24 of 42 attempts for 233 yards and 6 touchdowns as he connected with four different receivers for more than five receptions each on the night. Rod Windsor led the Rattler receivers with 7 receptions for 59 yards and 3 scores while Kerry Reed, Trandon Harvey and Maurice Purify each caught 5 passes on the night. Virgil Gray contributed 8 tackles on the night and added an interception.
Next week, the Shock will return to Spokane to hose the Utah Blaze at Spokane Arena for another West Division matchup. Kickoff is set for Friday, June, 21st at 7:00 PM PST.
SCORES BY QUARTER
Team 1 2 3 4 Final
Arizona 14 17 14 14 59
Spokane 14 7 14 7 42
SPOKANE SHOCK MISSION
The Spokane Shock strive to deliver to our fans a high quality entertainment experience while serving and representing the Inland Northwest on and off the field as a proud member of the Arena Football League.
ABOUT THE SPOKANE SHOCK
The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The Shock played their first four seasons in the former af2, winning division titles in all four seasons and ArenaCups in 2006 and 2009 before joining the AFL and winning ArenaBowl XXIII in their first season. Tickets and Sponsorships are available for the 2013 Season. For more information visit our website at spokaneshock.com or call 509-242-7462. You can also follow the Shock on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
