Shock Boosted by Big Third Quarter
Published on April 26, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
STOCKTON - The Spokane Shock earned their eighth-straight win against division rival Stockton Lightning on the road tonight 71-50.
It was too good to be true for the Lightning who managed to end the first half trailing by just three points, 29-26. The Lightning started the game with the ball but completed just two passes before Stanley Franks intercepted Andy Collins' pass in the endzone giving the Shock offense a chance to strike first, and the Shock did just that when Nick Davila connected with Raul Vijil for a 27-yard TD pass to give the Shock their first lead of the game.
As the second half began the Lightning watched the three-point deficit turn into a blowout as the Shock outscored the Lightning 28-0 in the third quarter. The Shock started the half with a 30 yard TD pass to Markee White who made his af2 debut tonight with the team-lead 12 receptions, 99 yards and 1 touchdown. The Shock then recovered back-to-back kickoffs and converted both to give Spokane a quick 50-26 lead before the Lightning offense ever touched the ball.
Vijil found the endzone five more times before the night was over, connecting on 8 passes for 141 yards and six touchdowns to earn tonight's Offensive Player of the Game honor. WR Patrick Bugg, who had 116 yards and four touchdowns last week against the Burn, touched the ball just once in the first half on a 7 yard TD reception with 23 seconds remaining. Bugg finished the night with 3 receptions for 19 yards and 1 touchdown. Davila played just three quarters before letting backup QB Casey Hansen take over, but not before connecting on 22 of 29 passes for 252 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Shock defense once again showed the fans why they're the No. 1 team in the league, holding the Lightning scoreless in the second half until there was just 7:40 remaining in the game. The defense made things difficult for the Lightning sacking the QB five times with five different players including Justin Warren's sack late in the second half which took Collins out for the game with a knee injury. Ben McCombs picked up the first sack of the night in the second quarter which was McCombs' 45th-career sack, earning him the title of all-time career sack leader.
The Shock are back in the Spokane Arena at the Spokane Tribe Field Saturday May 2nd at 7 p.m. when they take on Iowa.
NOTES - ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight's victory is the Shock's 13th consecutive road win, their eighth consecutive win over the Lightning. PERFECTION: The Shock defense held the Lightning scoreless in the third quarter. The Lightning didn't score in the second half until there was just 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. DEBUT: Markee White made his af2 debut tonight and led the team with 12 receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. ALL-TIME: Ben McCombs earned the title of all-time career sack leader tonight after picking up his 45th-career sack on Stockton QB Andy Collins in the second quarter.
arenafootball2 Stories from April 26, 2009
- Dorados Drop Sharks 77-50 - Corpus Christi Sharks
- Shock Boosted by Big Third Quarter - Spokane Shock
- Lightning Drop Third Straight - Stockton Lightning
- Iron Drop Game to Kentucky, Return Home to Face Green Bay Friday - Milwaukee Mustangs
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.
