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Command in Awe as Shock Wins by 27 Points

April 2, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL) - Kansas City Command News Release

After suffering losses in their first three games, last season's Arena Bowl Champions the Spokane Shock seemed to finally return to form and defeated the COMMAND, 61-34. The COMMAND now face a similar situation, and will return to Kansas City for their first home game of the season, to finally play in front of a friendly crowd.

Despite the loss, Quarterback JJ Raterink again posted impressive passing numbers, with 304 yards; 85 more than Spokane Quarterback Kyle Rowley. Raterink, in a valiant effort to close the gap on the scoreboards, personally scored three rushing touchdowns. However, what seemed to win the game for Spokane was their ability to shut down the COMMAND's offense on fourth downs. Kansas City went 1 for 4 on fourth down conversions, and 4 for 9 on third downs, while Spokane scored with nearly every possession.

Undoubtedly Spokane went into this game expecting the duo of Raterink and standout rookie Wide Receiver Bret Smith to sync up for a significant number of pass yards as they had in previous games. And it appeared that part of the COMMAND's strategy was to play off this expectation. Wide Receivers Bradly Chavez and Steven Savoy saw the lion's share of the passes. But the apparent change in strategy did not affect Spokane's defense, which posted 33 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Jon Williams of the Shock, even managed to snag Raterink in the backfield for a seven yard loss on the play.

Head Coach Danton Barto had gone into Week 4 hopeful, but expecting a tough game. "It's definitely disappointing", said Coach Barto, "we were hoping to bring back a win for our first home game. Spokane just played a better game. It took them four tries to get a win, and they did it at home; maybe four is the magic number this season. Now it's time for us to focus on our fourth game, finally at home, against Iowa."

Week 5's game will be at the Kansas City, Missouri Sprint Center against the Iowa Barnstormers. Iowa is coming off a 7 point victory over the San Jose SaberCats and previously a 1 point victory over the Shock. But being only 1 and 1 on road games, the Barnstormers will face a COMMAND team hungry, and looking redemption in front of its home crowd.

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