Shock close out regular season with 61-43 win

Saturday July 27, 2013

 Spokane dominates second half to cap off season of new records

SPOKANE, WA (July 26, 2013) – The Spokane Shock (14-4, 4-2) hosted the Pittsburgh Power (4-14, 2-2) in a Week 19 Net10 Wireless AFL matchup for the final regular season game of 2013, coming away with a 61-43 win in front of 9,341 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

The first quarter opened with the Pittsburgh Power putting together a nine play 45-yard drive, capped off by a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shane Austin to Christian Wise. After the quick response from the Shock on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Erik Meyer to Adron Tennell, Spokane would score two more times in the next 30 seconds. Receiver Kamar Jorden would recover the bar-ball in the end zone for the Shock score, followed up by an interception by defensive lineman Terrance Taylor for a 2-yard touchdown. Despite Spokane’s quick scores, Pittsburgh would stay resilient and reach the end zone once more before quarters end on a pass from Austin to Wise to bring the game within one score at 20-14 with the Shock on leading.

As second quarter action continued, Pittsburgh would prove that despite their struggles in 2013 and inability to make it to the post season that they were unwilling to allow the Shock cruise to a victory. In a dominating second quarter, the Power would hold the Shock offense to a single touchdown while posting 22 points of their own. Twice the Pittsburgh defense would hold the Shock to four-and-outs while adding an interception and safety before the end of the first half. While Terence Moore would record his third interception in as many games, the Shock offense would only get into the end zone once on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Erik Meyer to Brandon Thompkins. Power receiver Mike Washington would find the end zone twice on touchdown passes from Shane Austin while tight end Jason Thomas would add another score to give Pittsburgh the 36-27 lead going into halftime.

Down but not out, the Shock would rally in the second half and hold the Power to a scoreless third quarter. On his first kick return of the second half, Spokane defensive back Terrance Sanders would break the all-time AFL record for return yards in a season with 2,241 yards. Meyer would connect with Adron Tennell twice in the quarter on touchdown passes of 19 and 13 yards while the Shock defense would hold the Power to two four-and-outs, allowing the Shock to take the lead 41-36 at the end of the third.

In the final quarter of play, the Shock would continue their second half dominance. After the early touchdown run by Erik Meyer to extend Spokane’s lead to two scores, Shock defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters would make a key interception to set up another touchdown pass between Erik Meyer and Adron Tennell to take the 54-36 lead. Pittsburgh would attempt to rally as quarterback Shane Austin would find Julian Talley for a 9-yard score, but another touchdown pass between Meyer and Tennell aided by a fourth down stop by the Shock defense would allow Spokane to close out the 61-43 win at Spokane Arena.

Next week will mark the beginning of the 2013 Net10 Wireless Arena Football League Playoffs. With seeding implications still on the line pending the outcome of the Arizona Rattler’s game against the Iowa Barnstormers, the Shock will host a first round game at Spokane Arena on Thursday, August 1st at 7:00 PM PST with the opponent to be determined. If Arizona wins this weekend Spokane will hold the #3 seed in the National Conference and host the Chicago Rush, however, an Arizona loss could push the Shock to the overall #1 seed. If Spokane obtains the #1 seed they would host the #4 seed San Jose Sabercats. Tickets are still available for the Shock’s first round playoff game via TicketsWest online, by phone at 800-325-SEAT or at any TicketsWest box office location.

SCORES BY QUARTER

Team 1 2 3 4 Final

Pittsburgh 14 22 0 7 43

Spokane 20 7 14 20 61

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock receiver Adron Tennell

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock receiver Adron Tennell

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
Pittsburgh Power receiver Mike Washington – one handed catch in 3rd quarter

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock defensive lineman Terrance Taylor’s INT for TD

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.