Shock National Conference Champions with a 48-30 Win Over Twisters
Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Coming into tonight's game, the concern of Spokane Shock head coach Chris Siegfried and QB Kyle Rowley was that the team might be too confident. The last match-up between the Shock and the Twisters ended with a decisive Shock victory, 46-23.
Well, no worries. The Shock did not have an over-confident attitude and played to win! But so did the Twisters. In the first half, it was back and forth scoring. The Twisters were aggressive and all over the field. However, the 9th man helped out early in the game, forcing the Twisters to a false start.
In the second half, the Shock were able to capitalize on an interception and keep the Twisters from scoring. This gave the Shock a two score lead. With the 9th man behind their team and the Shock being a 2nd half team with adrenaline soaring, winning the game soon became insurmountable for the Twisters.
Isaiah Trufant was everywhere in the second half. He was, as I put it, like a gnat that would not go away. He seemed to stay in the face of his opponent, Twisters’ WR Kevin Williams, who is 6' 1" and 220 lbs.; quite a bit larger than Trufant’s 5'8" and 170 lbs. Twisters QB Walter Church repeatedly attempted to connect with Kevin Williams, thinking Trufant was not a threat. They were able to connect once, but were unsuccessful for the other attempts.
We asked Isaiah about his performance against Williams. He responded, "There's some big guys out there! I try to do the best of my abilities. I hold them there and wait for my teammates to get there and help." Isaiah is a true team player.
Isaiah gave all of us a scare twice this evening when he leapt head first over the wall for the ball and on a second occasion he went head first into the wall. Amazingly, he came out with minor injuries. We asked Isaiah about these two events. About the first incident, he said, "I didn't know how close I was to the wall. I just saw the ball and was going to get it. Next thing I know, I am flipping over the wall!"
While the paramedics on the field were looking at Isaiah after the second incident, the fans were on their feet. On three separate occasions, they began chanting Isaiah's name. One onlooker, who wished to remain anonymous, turned to me and said, "This is remarkable. You would not get this kind of fan interaction at other professional outdoor football game." This display of the fans is a good indicator of how closely knit the Shock fans have become with the players.
In the latter part of the 3rd quarter, I noticed a remarkable change in the Twisters overall demeanor. They looked beat and finished. They had a few bursts of energy, but for the most part, they were done.
After the game, the President of the af2 congratulated the team and fans on an outstanding inaugural season. He also presented Chris Siegfried with the game ball. Chris thanked him, and immediately ran to the sideline and threw the ball into the stands! This shows the attitude of the Shock's head coach and that he is truly grateful for the 9th man.
Even though the Shock won this game, Chris Siegfried's comments on tonight's performance was, "We have played some good games, but we still have yet to play good ball. We are close. We have not come together to play perfect ball. We are going to have to play that kind of ball if we are going to beat Green Bay this next week."
This week the guys are going to be preparing for the big game in Puerto Rico with the goal of playing flawless football. The Green Bay Blizzard are 10-6 in the regular season (4 - 4 at home and 6 - 2 away). The Shock are 14-2 (7-1 at home and 7-1 away). These two teams know very little of each other and will certainly be a great match to watch.
Lori's Take:
You're right, Shawn. There was definitely no need to worry about our Shock being over-confident. They played with great intensity and became the first team in af2 history to win a national conference championship in its first season!
Shock's WR/DB Kevin Beard was the first to score with a one-yard run for a touchdown. Kevin also received credit for the Catch of the Game tonight. The remainder of the first half was all about WR/DB Charles Frederick, who scored two touchdowns for a total of 32-yards.
In the second half, WR/DB Raul Vijil ran in twice for touchdowns for a total of nine yards. WR/DB Jesse Hendrix also put points on the board, making the sweetest play of the game. Hendrix celebrated his birthday with a 37-yard interception return. QB Kyle Rowley also connected with Hendrix for a 31-yard touchdown. It was no surprise when Hendrix was named Ironman of the Game.
The Shock defense rocked tonight as always. DS Isaiah Trufant thrilled the crowd with nine pass break-ups tonight, the last of which ended with an injury. At first, the injury was feared to be quite serious as a stretcher was brought out on the field.
However, the 10,500 fans appeared to have miraculously healed the injured Trufant by chanting his name, and he was able to walk off the field. Initial sideline diagnosis was either a neck sprain or a back contusion. However, when speaking with Trufant after the game, he assured me that he'll be fine for playing in the Arena Cup next Saturday.
Speaking of the Arena Cup, I wish I could be there to cheer on our beloved Shock. Like the rest of the Spokane and North Idaho fans, I will be cheering them on from home.
Shawn and I would like to thank the Spokane Shock for an electrifying inaugural season. You have given us a real passion for arena football. Thank you also to ArenaFan.com for giving us this opportunity to write for them about this awesome team. Lastly, we’d like to thank the Shock staff (especially Kevin, Danielle and Jennifer) for their assistance throughout the season. We look forward to covering the Shock's electrifying football in 2007!
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.