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Game Preview: Week 13 a Potential Playoff Positioning Battle as Portland Hosts Spokane

June 17, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder (3-8, 1-2) play host to Pacific division rival, the Spokane Shock (3-8, 0-3) this Sunday evening from the Moda Center. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and fans can listen on 750AM/102.9FM THE GAME starting at 6:30pm, or watch nationally via ESPN2 starting at 7:00pm, or online via ESPN3, or the WatchESPN.com app.

This will be the fifth meeting between the clubs, with Spokane holding a 3-and-1 record over the Thunder all-time. Both come into the game tied for the final playoff spot in the National Conference, with Portland currently holding the tie-breaker over Spokane through their 47-43 comeback win against the Shock in Week 3.

The Thunder came back from a nine point, third quarter deficit the last time these two faced each other at the Moda Center, sparked by back to back defensive scores by JLB Bryce Peila. Peila intercepted a downfield effort from former Spokane Shock QB Danny Southwick, and returned the pass nearly the entire length of the field, scampering up the left sideline for a 46 yard touchdown. On the ensuing Spokane drive, Peila struck again, this time recovering a snap fumble at the Spokane three yard line and running it in to give the Thunder their first lead of the night.

While both teams may be entering the evening on the back end on multi-game losing streaks, both have seen production in several areas to suggest a turnaround is in the works. Portland will look to build on the positives that were on display in the second half of their 69-42 loss to the Arizona Rattlers last Friday, a second half that saw the Thunder match Arizona's offensive production, both in points (21) and net yardage (ARI:110, PDX 106).

"The thing that I liked the most about our team tonight was that they fought to the end," Head Coach Mike Hohensee stated after the game against the Rattlers. "We battled. That excites me as we venture into these next two weeks against Spokane and Las Vegas, the teams we are really fighting for playoff positions with."

The Shock fell two yards short of a possible season defining comeback victory against Las Vegas last Friday. Trailing the Outlaws by 20 at the half, Spokane largely erased Las Vegas' lead in the third quarter, setting the Shock up for a fourth down play from the four-yard line with seven seconds left, but a scramble attempt by QB Warren Smith came up two yards short of the end zone, giving Las Vegas the 62-56 win.

Smith has been effective for Spokane since assuming the Shock's starting QB role six weeks ago. The rookie out of Maine has a 106.89 passer rating, with 32 touchdowns to just nine interceptions.

Thunder WR/KR Duane Brooks continued his hot-streak against Arizona last weekend, scoring yet another kick return touchdown. The 216 yard all-purpose showing has Brooks now second in the AFL with 1732 yards. Duane still leads the league in both return yardage and return touchdowns, with 1363 yards and six scores respectively.

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