Shock sweep Sharks with 62-40 win

Saturday July 13, 2013

 Shock defense posts two scores, Meyer breaks franchise record

SPOKANE, WA (July 13, 2013) – The Spokane Shock (12-4, 4-2) faced off against the Jacksonville Sharks (10-6, 4-0) in a Week 17 Net10 Wireless AFL matchup, coming away with a big win by a final score of 62-40 in Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla in front of a crowd of 9,175.

After returning the opening kickoff, Shock offensive lineman Chris Pino caught a short screen pass and rumbled down the right sideline for the 26-yard “fat guy touchdown” for his second receiving score of the season in as many games. Jacksonville responded by converting on fourth down early in their opening drive and scoring on a 2-yard run by London Crawford but a missed PAT would leave the Shock on top 7-6 with 6:31 remaining in the first quarter. On Spokane’s next possession, Jacksonville would hold the Shock to four and out after Meyer was sacked and fumbled but a post penalty on Sharks would push the offense back to the Spokane 24-yard line. On the ensuing Jacksonville snap, Shock defensive lineman Diyral Briggs would get into the backfield and record a sack and forced fumble on Shark quarterback Kyle Rowley while Shock defensive lineman Terrance Taylor would recover and rumble to the Jacksonville 4-yd line to set up the final score of the opening quarter on a short quarterback sneak by Erik Meyer behind Ryan Cave and put the Shock on top 14-6.

As the Sharks continued their possession from the first quarter, Kyle Rowley would connect with wide receiver Jeff Hughley for the 4-yard score bringing the Sharks within one point at 14-13 with 10:42 remaining in the half. Shock quarterback Erik Meyer responded by leading the offense down field and finding wide receiver Arvell Nelson on the short screen out right for the 2-yard score to give the Shock a 21-13 lead. Jacksonville quarterback Kyle Rowley would again contribute to a Spokane score after his attempted touch pass over the middle of the field was picked off and returned for the touchdown by Shock jack linebacker Terence Moore to give Spokane the two score lead at 28-13. On the Sharks next offensive snap, Rowley would again throw a pick six to the Spokane defense as Paul Stephens would jump the hitch route to push the Shock lead to 35-13. Shark wide receiver London Crawford would go on to score his second rushing touchdown of the game and bring the game within two scores, but the Shock would again find the end zone before the end of the half on a touchdown pass from Meyer to Nelson (their second connection of the game) to push the Shock lead to 41-20. With 37 seconds remaining in the half, Jacksonville would attempt to score once more before time expired but the Shock defense would dig in and force the Sharks to attempt a field goal which would result in a bobbled snap to end the first half with Spokane leading 41-20.

On Jacksonville’s opening possession of the second half Kyle Rowley would lead the Shark offense down the field, but for the third time on the night the Shock defense would come up with the interception as Terrance Sanders jumped the crossing route in the end zone. Shock quarterback Erik Meyer would then lead the offense 44-yards and cap off the drive with his third connection of the night to Arvell Nelson to give the Shock a 48-20 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Sharks would return fire as Kyle Rowley would connect with receiver London Crawford for the 49-yard score, but a failed onside kick attempt following the touchdown would set the Shock up with a short field as Erik Meyer would find Arvell Nelson for the fourth time on the night and break the Shock franchise single-season record for touchdown passes (101) in a season which was previously set by Kyle Rowley in 2010 with 100. The third quarter would close out with the Shock on top 55-26.

Jacksonville would continue their possession from the third quarter as quarterback Kyle Rowley would find Jeff Hughley on the short touchdown pass to bring the game back within three scores at 55-33. The Sharks defense would dig in for the second time on the night, coming up with the interception by Terrance Smith but shortly after the turnover the Shock defense would come up with their own stop and force the Sharks offense to a four-and-out to give the Spokane offense possession of the ball and set up a touchdown pass from Erik Meyer to Adron Tennell to push the Shock lead to 62-33 with 4:28 remaining. Attempting to close the gap, Sharks quarterback Kyle Rowley would connect with London Crawford to bring the game back within 22 points marking Crawford’s fourth score of the night (two rushing, two receiving), but the Shock would run out the remaining clock to walk away with the win by a final of 62-40.

Shock quarterback Erik Meyer would complete 18 of 30 pass attempts for 186 yards and 6 touchdowns with one interception. Kamar Jorden would lead the Shock receivers with 8 receptions for 72 yards as Arvell Nelson would collect Offensive Player of the Game and J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game honors with 5 receptions for 38 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Shock defense would post two scores on the night, each coming on interceptions by Terence Moore and Paul Stephens while Terrance Sanders would add a third interception on the night.

Sharks quarterback Kyle Rowley would complete 23 of 37 attempts for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Jeron Harvey would lead the Shark receivers with 10 receptions for 76 yards while being supported by Jeff Hughley with two receiving scores. London Crawford would go on to earn the AFL Highlight of the Game for his 49-yard receiving TD while posting two scores on the ground and two receiving.

The Shock will return home next week to take on the San Antonio Talons on Friday, July 19th with a 7:00PM PST kickoff at Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wa. Join the 9th man for Hometown Heroes Night as fans receive megaphones courtesy of Sterling Bank. Fans can use promo code “HERONIGHT” via TicketsWest for discounted tickets.

SCORES BY QUARTER

Team 1 2 3 4 Final

Jacksonville 6 14 6 14 40

Spokane 14 27 14 7 62

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock receiver Arvell Nelson
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock jack linebacker Terence Moore
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock receiver Arvell Nelson
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
Jacksonville Sharks receiver Markee White’s 28-yard catch on fourth down in the 1st Qtr
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Jacksonville Sharks receiver London Crawford’s 49-yard TD reception

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.