Shock victorious in return home

Shawn and Lori Mosqueda
Wednesday May 14, 2008

Boise won the toss, but deferred to kick to Spokane to start the game. WR Raul Vijil returned for 26-yards and two plays later took in a 28-yard touchdown pass from rookie QB Nick Davila.  Perhaps Boise regretted their decision after allowing the Shock to score in their first possession of the game.

Spokane's defense stopped Boise on their first possession, thanks to an interception on fourth down by DS Nygel Rogers.  Not only did Rogers intercept the ball, but also ran it back 26-yards to the 11-yard line, giving the Shock great field position.  Davila thrilled the 10,573 fans with a Shock first down, rushing to the 3-yard line.  However, Boise's defense fought hard and did not allow another Shock touchdown.  Boise scored their first touchdown in the last seconds of the first quarter.

Spokane seemed to struggle a bit with the pressure from Boise's defense early in the second quarter.  However, thanks to an illegal formation call against Boise, the Shock were granted another first down.  The next play resulted in Davila's 22-yard touchdown pass to WR Kelvin Dickens.

Boise's QB Royal Gill was treated to a brutal sack from Shock's DL Harrison Nikoloa.  Gill couldn't establish momentum after that which led to a Shock possession, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Davila to Vijil.  Unfortunately, Boise answered back with a hard-earned touchdown.  

Davila connected with Dickens yet again late in the second quarter for a 31-yard touchdown pass, increasing Shock's lead to 27–14.  Shock held the Burn scoreless the remainder of the first half.

Boise started the second half with a quick touchdown, closing the Shock's lead to just one touchdown.

The Shock had to fight a bit, but did have a successful journey down the field with a 21-yard pass from Davila to Dickens.  

Boise scored and then managed to hold the Shock scoreless in their next possession.  Unfortunately, the Shock made what I feel was a fatal mistake.  Instead of a field goal attempt, they chose to go for it on 4th and 15.  The play failed and turned the ball over to Boise with 1st and goal field positioning.  Boise scored and took the lead for the first time of the game, 35 – 34.

WR Tremaine Tyler rushed for 2-yards to put the Shock back on top.  Part of me wanted the Shock to go for a 2-point conversion, but the other part was glad Coach Shackleford played it safe for the extra point.  There was still plenty of game left to take any kind of chance of not making that extra point.  I, of course, had no idea that FB/LB Kevin McCullough was going to recover a Boise's fumble, which then led to the touchdown by Raul Vijil.  Unfortunately, the extra point kick was no good, thanks to a bad delay of game call against the Shock that lost them five yards and the extra point.

The officials continued to make questionable calls against the Shock to help Boise gain yardage and another touchdown.  The Shock's WR Andy Olson fought back hard for a touchdown for the Shock, despite several Burn players trying to prevent him from scoring.  The officials called another bogus delay of game against the Shock, but that's alright.  It put them in great position to go for that 2-point conversion I wanted earlier in the game, increasing Shock's lead to 55 – 42 over Boise with just 53 seconds left in the game.

On 4th down for Boise, Shock defense sacked Boise QB Gill, forcing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by Shock's McCullough.  Shock widened the gap to 62-42. Boise was unable to answer back.
 
Shawn's Take:

Tonight was a long overdue game for many Shock fans.   Being only the second home game this season, Spokane Shock fans were ecstatic and loud.   After the game, many of the Shock players, both veteran and rookie, commented on how much they loved coming home and playing for their fans.  

The chemistry of this years team is definitely similar to that of the 2006 team.  Am I saying they are going to the Arena Cup?  No.  Anything can happen; unwanted injuries among other situations.

However, I am saying things are similar.  The players have excellent talent and chemistry, while maintaining a strong work ethic and humble attitude.  They are all striving for excellence.  Of course, the Ninth man helps a lot too.

The Burn came into tonight with a 4-1 record ready to prove to the Shock in their first of three meetings that they were a team to reckon with.  It was quite a match up.  Starting out, the defense was great for both teams.  It looked like it was going to be a situation where whoever had the ball last would win.

Raul Vijil had an excellent reception for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter, after which he pulled a sign out from behind the endzone wall that read, “Happy Mother's Day – Heart #15”.  He waved that around to the fans and then honored his mother especially by waving it towards her seat in the stands.

It was good to see Levi Madarieta of the Boise Burn return tonight to the Arena as a LB/K and proved he deserved the Iron Man title of the game.  Levi was an original Spokane Shock from the Inaugural 2006 team.

After the first half, the Shock kicked it into high gear and began adding pressure on the pass offense which proved to be the turning point of the game.

Boise Burn QB Royal Gill and company simply could not get anything going with the Shock dominating the 4th quarter and outscoring the Burn 28-7.   Fumbles and turnovers plagued Boise, which ultimately was the Burns demise.

After the game, head coach Adam Shackleford had this to say, “I am proud of my guys!  They fight till the last second of the game.  Our defense came up with big plays.  We are still far from perfect.”