Game Preview: Shock Look to Shut off the Power
May 7, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (May 7, 2014) - The Spokane Shock (5-2) return home to take on the Pittsburgh Power (4-3) this Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m. PDT at Spokane Arena. The game will be broadcast in the Spokane area on SWX and can be found online at ESPN3.com.
The Shock and the Power have faced off twice before, with the all-time series split at 1-1. Most recently the two clubs met in the final regular season game of 2013 with the Shock coming away victorious 61-43.
Spokane comes into the matchup on the heels of a 70-21 victory over the expansion LA KISS. The offensive onslaught was powered by a gutsy performance from wide receiver turned quarterback Rashaad Carter, who was forced into the game when starter Erik Meyer went down with an injury in the second quarter.
Carter, who had not played quarterback since his freshman year in college, finished 4-7 for 73 yards and two touchdowns while adding 12 rushes for 46 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
The Shock jumped on LA early and often, leading 28-0 late in the second quarter and carrying a 42-14 lead into halftime. In the second half Carter racked up his four rushing touchdowns, matching the Shock franchise single-game record. The 21 points allowed by the Spokane defense were the fewest allowed in a single game in team history.
Adron Tennell and Brandon Thompkins lead the Shock receiving corps, hauling in 10 and 11 touchdowns respectively for a combined 924 yards. Mike Washington has contributed 27 receptions for 382 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Shock will look to their defense that has only allowed 43.7 points per game, third best in the league, to carry some of the weight. In the win against LA, all three members of the Shock secondary that includes Terrance Sanders, Bryant Nnabuife, and Paul Stephens recorded interceptions. Defensive lineman James Ruffin leads the team in sacks with 7.5, putting him only 1.5 sacks shy of the franchise single-season record.
The Pittsburgh offense is led by quarterback Tommy Grady, who has completed 173 of 295 pass attempts for 1817 yards and 40 touchdowns. 12 of those touchdowns have gone to wide receiver Aaron Lesue, who has hauled in 59 receptions for 610 yards.
Spokane's offense has scored nearly 60 points per game this season (59.1) but will face a challenging task Friday against a stout Power defense. Defensive back Virgil Gray anchors the Pittsburgh defense leading the team in tackles (32.0), interceptions (6), and pass break ups (10). The Power defense is fourth best in the AFL in points allowed, only giving up 46.6 per game.
Tickets to the game can be purchased for as low as $14 by visiting SpokaneShock.com.
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