Boise Burned 60-28

Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Thursday July 12, 2007

Shawn's Take:

After the Shock's last game against Tri-Cities, I was anxious to see how the Shock's offensive line was going to hold up and how Shock QB Andrico Hines was going to fair.  

I was very pleased with the team.   Defense was on fire causing multiple turn overs and holding the Burn to minimal yardage.  The offense was equally as impressive.  The offensive line held up very well.  This gave Andrico Hines  plenty of time to make plays.

The night started with a turnover within the first three minutes of the game by the Burn, resulting in Shock DS Nygel Rogers returning an interception for a touchdown.  From that point on it was all Shock.  The Boise Burn had a tough time getting anything going on offense and the Shock offense kept the Burn's defense guessing what might come next.

Lori and I have noticed that the terrible officiating that plagued past games have subsided, for which I am very pleased to see.  More than anything, I was very happy to see Andrico back in full swing.  I had been concerned with his playing abilities for the last few games and especially how all the fans have been reacting to both Shock head coach Adam Shackleford and Hines.  I hesitate to admit it, but I too was wondering what has been going on behind the scenes.  Since we have access to the players and coaches, I thought a little investigative work was in order.

I spoke with the Shock head office before the game and found out a little more about our beloved QB Andrico Hines.  It seems our QB has some hidden talents.  Mr. Hines has the ability to move like Michael Vick of the Falcons and Seneca Wallace of the Seahawks.  Upon learning this, I was just itching to ask Andrico about his abilities after the game to learn more about his hidden talent.  He said,”In college I did a lot of running.  They tried to use my athletic abilities a lot.  But, a lot of people do not know that I am a pretty descent pocket passer.  Coach gave me this opportunity and I am blessed that I had the opportunity to play here!”.  We asked if he has a tough time staying in the pocket.  “Well no, really it is about feel. Sometimes I am right and other times I am wrong.  I can't see it because my focus is down the field.  After playing a position for awhile, you learn to feel it.”

After researching Andrico's college stats, I found in 2003, while playing for Middle Tennessee, he rushed for 486 yards.  This may not seem like much, but when you consider that last year Peyton Manning of the Colts rushed for 46 yards, Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks rushed for 124 yards, Daunte Culpepper of the Dolphins rushed for 147 yards, Jake Plummer of the Broncos rushed for 151 yards and Michael Vick of the Falcons rushed for a grand total of  597 yards, 486 rushing yards is pretty impressive! 

Lori's Take:

I liked your focus on the offense, Shawn.  Especially, the background on Hines. Perhaps he will now receive praise that he rightly deserves.  Although the offense was great tonight, I feel that the Spokane's defense is responsible for shocking Boise for a loss tonight.

DS Nygel Rogers got the game moving within minutes of kick-off with a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown.  One interception return in a single game wasn't enough for Rogers, so he executed another in the third quarter, this time a 44-yard interception return.  Rogers was also instrumental in other key breakups in the game.  He was rightly named Defensive Player of the Game.
 
Another member of the Shock “fearsome threesome”, DS Alex Teems, also played exceptional defense tonight.  Teems had two interceptions tonight, one in the second, the other in the third quarter.  Both interceptions were in the end zone, preventing two Boise Burn touchdowns.

Not to be out done by Rogers and Teems, DS Rob Keefe had a few interceptions of his own.  The first, in the third quarter, was called back due to an illegal defense penalty called against Shock LB Kelvin Morris.  The second and third were in the fourth quarter, which he nearly returned for touchdowns.

The offensive line seemed to have recovered from their agonizing defeat by the Tri-Cities fever.  QB Andrico Hines had much better protection tonight, resulting in better plays by Hines.  Despite his fumble in the second quarter, he seemed more comfortable in the pocket and was able to scrabble and connect with his receivers.

Big boy FB/LB Ben Brown had a Shawn Alexander moment early in the second quarter with a 43-yard touchdown run.  Unfortunately, he was later burned by Boise's LB (and former Shock) Levi Madrietta, who stripped the ball from Brown.  This resulted in a touchdown for the Burn and allowed the Burn to pull ahead  for the first and only time in the game.

WR Raul Vijil was back and in great form for tonight's game.  Hines connected with Vijil for a 5-yard touchdown reception early in the first quarter.  Vijil also scored a touchdown with the next possession, but it was called back after an illegal umpire penalty on Vijil.  Unshaken by the lousy call, QB Andrico Hines connected with Vijil again on the very next play, a 16-yard touchdown pass.  Vijil lead the team in touchdowns tonight, with a total of six.  No wonder he was named MVP and Offensive Player of Game.

The next home game is on July 14, 2007 against the Tri-Cities Fever.  I am sure tonight's victory has fired up our team to prevent another Tri-Cities win.  The Shock and their electrifying fans are sure to fight hard for a victory.  How does that song go again?  Oh yeah, “We will, we will SHOCK you!”