Lightning Still Can't Top Shock

April 4, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


SPOKANE, WA - Playing in its season opener, the Spokane Shock, also playing on its home field for the first time since a heartbreaking one-point overtime defeat in last year's Arena Cup Championship, upended the Stockton Lightning (1-1) 59-42 before a sold-out crowd of 10,548 at Spokane Arena on Friday night in Week 2 of arenafootball2 play.

The Lightning, who fell to 0-8 all-time against Spokane, had their road winning streak (dating back to 2008) halted at three games.

Last week against Central Valley, the Stockton Lightning used a huge interception return for a touchdown (Nathan Kenion, 50 yds) right before half-time to help catapult the team to victory, but were undone on Friday night when Spokane returned the favor.

With the Lightning trailing 28-21 and driving for the tying touchdown just seconds before half-time, Spokane linebacker Kevin McCullough intercepted QB Andy Collins' errant pass and returned the pick forty yards for a touchdown, to seize the momentum and give the Shock a 14-point half-time lead.

Spokane never looked back, adding a pair of third quarter Raul Vijil scores - two of a total four touchdown receptions on the night for the Shock wideout - to widen the gap to 49-21 and send the Lightning packing.

Things got off to a good start for the Lightning, who took the opening kickoff and drove 48 yards in 6 plays, capped by a 28 yard touchdown reception by WR Troy McBroom to give the Lightning an early 7-0 lead.

Spokane would answer back 1:53 later, with a two-yard touchdown pass from QB Nick Davila to Vijil to tie the game 7-7. Stockton would start its next drive in the shadow of its own end zone, and failed to get a first down, turning the ball over on downs at its own 6 yard line. The Shock would take full advantage, with a 6-yard touchdown pass to WR Charles Dillon on the very next play, to put Spokane up 14-7.

Stockton would pull to within one point with a five-yard strike to McBroom (PAT failed), his second touchdown reception of the night. McBroom would finish with 11 receptions for 120 yards and three scores to lead all Lightning receivers.

Spokane padded its lead to 28-13 with a pair of Nick Davila touchdown passes in the second quarter, before Stockton answered back with a Justin Taplin touchdown catch with 6:11 remaining in the half to make the score 28-21. Stockton would get the ball back again after an interception by LB Jay Hunt, setting up the momentum-swinging drive which ended with McCullough's interception-for-touchdown.

Though the Lightning held a statistical edge in nearly every offensive category - total yards (372-263), first downs (18-15), offensive plays run (57-38) and nearly a ten-minute edge in time of possession (34:41 to 25:19) - the Lightning also committed nine costly penalties for 71 yards, many of which were false starts and delays caused by the raucous hometown crowd. The opportunistic Shock, in contrast, did not draw a single penalty in the game.

Stockton has a bye next week, but returns to action on April 18th in its home opener at Stockton Arena, a rematch against the division rival Central Valley Coyotes, kickoff slated for 7:00 pm. The game can be viewed online (free-of-charge) courtesy of Nifty Online TV.



arenafootball2 Stories from April 4, 2009


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.

OurSports Central