Shock Remain Leaders of Western Division, Defeating Quad City 68-63
Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Tuesday May 30, 2006
We witnessed some excellent Shock defense in the first half. It looked like a sure touchdown for Quad City, who at one time had great field position of first and goal. However, their touchdown attempts were thwarted by some great plays by Spokane Shock’s DS Rob Keefe, FB/LB Levi Madarieta, and DS Johnny Lamar. The roar of the crowd also helped hold Quad City to a mere field goal.
How about those out-of-this-world plays by Charles "ET" Frederick? He definitely lived up to his childhood nickname as he recovered a bad snap at Quad City’s one yard line and ran it all the way down the field for a touchdown for the Shock. This touchdown put the Shock ahead 18 to 17 with just 30 seconds left in the first half. It was no surprise when Frederick was named the Ironman Player of the Game. One of Frederick’s amazing receptions was also named the best catch of the game.
The Shock continued their momentum in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the first five minutes of the quarter. The first touchdown was a hand off by Shock QB Alex Neist to FB/LB Levi Madarieta. The second, an interception by DS Rob Keefe, which he ran in from the five-yard line. Spokane Shock’s WR/DB Charles Frederick scored soon after as he recovered a Quad City fumble for a touchdown, putting the Shock up 39-20.
WR/DB Anthony Griffin also scored a touchdown in the third quarter after DS Rob Keefe picked off another interception. Not wanting to be left out, Raul Vijil also managed to score in the third quarter. The third quarter ended with the Shock ahead by 30 points.
And then came the fourth quarter. A win is a win, but something shut the Shock down as they allowed Quad City to score way too many times in the fourth quarter. Did the Shock just run out of juice? Perhaps it was the loss of Keefe to an injury early in the fourth quarter. Maybe they felt Quad City couldn’t come back from so far behind. I am sure the Super Bowl XL officiating moment didn’t help either. You know, when a touchdown should have been awarded to Raul Vijil since the ball did cross the plane. Regardless of the reasons, only five points separated the two teams in the end.
Shawn’s Take:
This game definitely did start off with a powerful Shock defense. Quad City had possession of the ball for nearly nine minutes in the first quarter before scoring a touchdown. On the flip side, once the Shock took possession, it only took three minutes to achieve a touchdown. However, it didn’t take long for Quad City to come back.
During the first half, Shock kicker John Koker had a terrible time. He missed all extra point attempts. Unfortunately, it got to the point that the fans began booing him. While the fans have a right to be frustrated, it would have been nice to hear the crowd chanting his name and encouraging him. After all, he has been playing fantastically up until tonight’s game.
It was later revealed that Koker was playing with a severely sprained kicking ankle. In the second half, Koker nailed all but one of the extra point kicks. The crowd did ease up, but only after the announcer repeatedly reminded them of his sprained ankle.
With the Shock’s commanding 30-point lead at the end of the third quarter, Shock head coach Chris Siegfried brought in QB Kyle Rowley in the fourth quarter. With the injury of Keefe and the change in quarterbacks, the Shock seemed to have lost all momentum in the fourth and allowed Quad City to answer back with 25 points.
Ultimately, the Shock won, but Spokane’s head coach Chris Siegfried had this to say, "The way the third quarter went for us, the fourth quarter went for them. I am in shock that Quad City was even able to make a game of it. It’s like we stopped playing. I am a little disturbed about the performance in the fourth quarter."
After the game, several Shock players expressed their thanks for the continued and very special support the Spokane fans have given them. You are a major part of the success of this awesome new team.
All in all, this was another great game. This win puts the Shock at 7-1. We look forward to watching them defeat the Central Valley Coyotes on June 3 in the Spokane Arena.
Shawn and Lori with their children Kaiden and Moriah live in beautiful Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Suffering from football withdrawals, the two diehard Seahawk fans found out that a new team was coming to town, the "Spokane Shock". Shawn and Lori are excited to cover the team as new sportswriters and new fans of Arena Football (you just can't beat year round football). GO SHOCK!!!
Shawn is in the process of completing and publishing an ebook entitled "The Complete HTPC Guide: Everyone's Guide To Building A Home Theater PC". Shawn has a structured wiring company where he helps homeowners create automated homes through the use of home electronics and computers.
Lori is an aspiring children's writer. After years of being an accomplished QA Analyst for a cutting edge software manufacturer, she now enjoys spending her time with her family and writing.
Shawn is in the process of completing and publishing an ebook entitled "The Complete HTPC Guide: Everyone's Guide To Building A Home Theater PC". Shawn has a structured wiring company where he helps homeowners create automated homes through the use of home electronics and computers.
Lori is an aspiring children's writer. After years of being an accomplished QA Analyst for a cutting edge software manufacturer, she now enjoys spending her time with her family and writing.