National Conference Championship Preview - Spokane at Arizona
August 7, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (August 7, 2013) - The Spokane Shock (15-4, 4-2) will travel to Phoenix, AZ this week to face off against the Arizona Rattlers (16-3, 4-2) for the National Conference Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th with a 6:30 PM PST kickoff at US Airways Center. This week's game will be broadcast live via CBS Sports Network and available on 700 ESPN Radio.
Since the Shock's debut in the Arena Football League in 2010, Arizona has become one of Spokane's fiercest rivals. Over the past four seasons the two teams have clashes on ten different occasions with the series tied at 5-5 (1-1 postseason). Though the two teams have split their series history, the home team has proven to have the advantage. Spokane has won only once at Arizona which was the first matchup between the two franchises in 2010. In the last six games, Arizona has come away with a 5-1 record against Spokane.
In 2013 the Rattlers and Shock faced off in Week 4 of the regular season as Spokane returned home for their first home game of the season after a three game road trip, coming away with the 66-49 victory. Shock quarterback Erik Meyer completed 27 of 43 attempts for 351 yards and eight touchdowns while Adron Tennell led all Spokane receivers with 10 receptions for 138 yards and four touchdowns. In a hard fought game coming down to the final minutes, the Shock and Rattlers were tied until Spokane went on to score 17 unanswered points thanks to a late interception by linebacker Beau Bell to take the early season win.
Meeting again in Week 13, the Rattlers were able to take a one score lead in the beginning of the second quarter and never looked back on their way to a 59-42 victory. Arizona quarterback Nick Davila completed 24 of 42 attempts for 233 yards and 6 touchdowns while the Rattlers defense was able to intercept the Erik Meyer once and add two defensive stops against the Shock offense. In the midst of the Shock loss, Adron Tennell recorded a franchise single-game record 15 receptions in the contest to go along with 110 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The two teams ended the 2013 Net10 Wireless Arena Football League season as the #1 and #2 ranked offenses in the league. Arizona averaged a league best 66.8 points/game while the Shock trailed by only 0.2 at 66.6 points/game on the season. There was little mystery as to the source of the two powerhouse offenses as each team's quarterbacks were also ranked near the top of almost every passing category.
Shock quarterback Erik Meyer set single-season franchise marks in passing yards (4667) and rushing touchdowns (15). Adron Tennell broke his 2012 franchise record as he hauled in 49 receiving touchdowns on the season (league leader) while kick return specialist Terrance Sanders set a new AFL single-season record in kick return yards (2265).
Last week in the National Conference Semifinals, the Arizona Rattlers defeated the #4 ranked San Jose Sabercats in Phoenix, AZ by a score of 59-49. While the two teams split their regular season series 1-1, the Rattlers proved to be the dominant team as quarterback Nick Davila completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 233 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception. Arizona receiver Rod Windsor hauled in nine receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns while Maurice Purify and Tysson Poots each added two receiving touchdowns on the day. While San Jose quarterback Rob Michna completed 20 of 36 attempts for 238 yards and four touchdowns, it was the Rattlers' defense that sealed the win as they forced an interception and two fourth down stops against the Sabercats.
The #3 ranked Shock faced off against the Central Division Champion Chicago Rush last week in their Semifinal matchup, coming away with a 69-47 win in Spokane, WA. The two teams traded scores through the end of the third quarter until the Shock would go on to record three interceptions in the final quarter of play, two of which were returned for touchdowns by defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters. Spokane quarterback Erik Meyer completed 23 of 31 pass attempts for 235 yards and five touchdowns while adding another two scores on the ground. Adron Tennell led the Shock receiving effort with 11 receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns while Kamar Jorden added another two receiving touchdowns. In similar fashion to the Rattlers first round game, it was the defense that shined for Spokane as they were able to force four interceptions and two fourth down stops against Chicago to seal the late win.
Saturday's game is scheduled for a 6:30 PM PST kickoff at US Airways Center and will be live on CBS Sports Network and available on 700AM ESPN radio. The winner of this week's National Conference Championship will travel to Orlando, FL for the ArenaBowl Championship game on Saturday, August 17th, 2013.
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