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Command vs Spokane Game Preview

June 7, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The Kansas City Command will look to get back into the win column this weekend as they take on the Spokane Shock at 9 p.m. CST on Saturday. This is the first of two contests between these two opponents this season.

The Command (2-9) are coming off of a 55-45 loss to the Utah Blaze and currently sit in fourth place of the National Conference's Central Division. The Command were forced to play catch up all night as Blaze quarterback Tommy Grady kept the Command defense on their heels most of the game. The Shock (6-5) are also coming off of a loss to the Chicago rush, 73-62. They sit in fourth place of the National Conference's West Division.

Quarterback Brian Jones will lead the Command for the second week in a row because of a hand injury to starter Matt Gutierrez. Jones filled in well, completing 15 of 22 passes, four touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Bret Smith had seven receptions for 121 yards and caught three touchdowns.

Command wide receiver Jackie Chambers was named the JLS Ironman of the Week. Against the Blaze, Chambers caught four passes for 69 yards with one touchdown, and ran back six kick returns for 80 yards; contributed 1.5 tackles and earned 149 all-purpose yards.

A Command defense that has allowed the third least amount of points in the league will go up against a Spokane Shock offense that has scored at least 62 points in their last five games. DL Tommy Chavis has recorded a tackle for a loss in four straight games. Command DB Rashad Barksdale who tied his own single-game franchise record for tackles with 14 in Week 13, alongside Sergio Gilliam who leads the team with five interceptions will try and limit Adron Tennell and Brandon Thompkins who have 26 and 20 TD catches, respectively. Tennell is also fourth in the league in receiving yards. Brian Jones and company will face a Shock defense that includes defensive back Terrance Sanders, who leads the league in tackles (76 solo, 13 assisted). The Command must also look to contain Sanders on kickoffs as he leads the league in kick return average.

Both teams boast a player who ranks in the top 10 in sacks. Jeremy Geathers of the Shock and Tommy Chavis of the Command each come in with 6.5 sacks. Geathers is averaging just under a sack per game while Chavis is averaging .65 sacks per game.

The Shock's 14th ranked rushing offense will be going up against the number 1 ranked rushing defense in the league of the Command. The Command are currently only giving up 11.6 yards per game.

This is the second meeting all time between these two teams. The Command hold a 1-0 advantage in the series. Their first matchup was in May of 2011 at the Sprint Center when the Command stopped a 4th quarter comeback and walked away with a 45-42 win. These two teams will play again on Saturday, July 14 at Sprint Center in Kansas City.

Next Home Game

The Kansas City Command will be home next week for a Father's Day matchup against the San Jose SaberCats, Sunday, June 17. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Sprint Center. The Command will look to avenge a 35-49 loss to the SaberCats from early in the season.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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