Spokane Shock Stockton with 51-35 Win

Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Tuesday April 3, 2007

Shawn's Take:
 
At long last! The af2 Arena Cup defending champions, Spokane Shock, are back! I think we can confidently speak for all when we say it has been a very long off-season. We are ready for some football!
 
We've had lots of questions and concerns. We've all read the interviews and articles about this year's Shock coaching staff and players. However, the biggest question going into tonight's game was how will this year's team compare to last year? I am sure we'd all like a repeat of the 2006 inaugural season if at all possible.

It is hard to say if the Shock were outstanding tonight or if Stockton simply played badly.  I would say it was both. The momentum started in favor of the Shock right from the kick-off and did not let up! Within the first 25 seconds of the game, the Shock scored on a botched kick return. The defense was absolutely on fire. They were clicking in every way and stopped Stockton many times.
 
The defense, like last year, was explosive! DS Rob Keefe was back in full swing, along with DL Katon Bethay and OL/DL Jerome Stevens. Newcomers LB Wyatt Gayer, LB Kelvin Morris, and DB Alex Teems made a huge impact as well. Morris seems to have the same passion and pump-up-the-crowd energy as Keefe.  An example of the electrifying Shock defense came in the third quarter when the Shock defense created a turnover on downs by stopping Stockton on the one-yard line.

Ex-Shock QB Cudrup had pressure all night.  The Shock defense simply never gave Stockton the opportunity to get into the game until the fourth quarter.  In the fourth quarter two things happened:  The Shock were tired and Stockton finally started to click on offense, allowing Stockton to pull off two touchdowns. 

Aside from being shaky, I thought the Shock offense did well.  Although, Shock QB Hines has a calm, cool and collected presence on the field, he did have some awkward moments and a few slip-ups. However, for the most part, he showed competence once the nerves calmed down. I think our Shock will certainly be able to perform at the same level as last year's team once they have an opportunity to play a few more games.

Lori's Take:
 
Shawn, if tonight's start to the Shock's 2007 season is any indication of how this year's team compares to last year, I think it's safe to say that the Shock will continue their greatness in 2007! LB Kelvin Morris' great defensive fumble recovery for a touchdown within the first seconds of the game was an absolutely fantastic start and I believe helped set the tone for the remainder of the game.
 
There has been talk from coaches and fans about a sloppy offense tonight. While I do agree that a fumble and two interceptions led to points for Stockton tonight, I really don't think the offense was all that bad. It was apparent that QB Andrico Hines had some jitters, but he came through with some key plays, two of which were his own touchdowns. I lost track how many time he connected with WR Chico Mackey for positive yardage. I am sure there would have been more had Mackey not suffered an ankle injury.

Returning Spokane Shock favorites WR Raul Vijil and WR Antwone Savage also played well tonight. Vijil had several receptions for positive yards and an amazing 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Savage scored two touchdowns, the first a six-yard reception in the first quarter and the second a three-yard pass in the fourth quarter.
 
Big Boy FB Ben Brown also started out his career with the Shock scoring a 10-yard run late in the fourth quarter. And let's not forget PK John Koker, who put three on the board in the last second of the first half and nailed all but one extra point kick. He also came on strong late in the fourth quarter defensively, tackling and preventing Stockton's Kenyatte Morgan from scoring.
 
We asked head coach Adam Shackleford what his opinion was of the offense tonight.  He said, ”We are a young team and we played like it half the time.  We have a long way to go on offense.  We have never been great on offense the first two weeks, because it is not an easy system to learn.”  

Without a doubt, it was the Shock defense that had the 9th Man excited tonight. Spokane favorite DS Rob Keefe was back, making tackles, making plays, and making calls. That's right.  He is calling audibles in the back this season, while Special Teams Coordinator Alex Sirianni calls the plays on the front defensive line.  Aside from his added responsibilities, Rob started out the 2007 season with two interceptions, continuing last year's league lead with 22 interceptions.  No wonder the crowd proudly chants "KEEFENSE!"
 
Newcomers DL Marquess Ledbetter, DB Alex Teems, and DS Nygel Rogers also were fun to watch tonight. All made great tackles and/or deflections at key points in the game. Returning Shock DL Katon Bethay also pleased the crowd (and maybe his coaches) with a sack in the second quarter.
 
I believe credit is also due to the 9th Man for their help defensively tonight. The noise of the 10,639 fans in attendance tonight led to many offsides and delay of game penalties against Stockton. Their electrifying screams helped fuel our Shock to their 51-35 win over Stockton.

The players and coaches loved the 9th Man tonight.  When asked about the crowd noise, Alex Teems said, “I love the crowd!  The crowd kept me in the game and I loved that!” 

Head coach Adam Shackleford sang the 9th Man praises as well.  He said, “I tell you, this was an unique experience.  It is better than I expected.  I have been in some loud places.  None this loud and never in my favor!”