Shock Kick off 2014 at Home against Iowa
March 13, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (March 13, 2014) - The Spokane Shock begin their 2014 campaign at home against the Iowa Barnstormers this Saturday, Mar. 15 at 7 p.m. PST at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
The season opener marks the sixth meeting between the two clubs since Spokane joined the AFL in 2010. The Shock, who won the most recent matchup 66-43 in week three of last season, lead the all-time series 3-2.
Head Coach Andy Olson enters his third year leading the Shock and boasts a 25-13 record in his career as a head coach. The talented roster under Olson's control is led by reigning AFL MVP and Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Erik Meyer. Other notable players returning from last year's 14-4 squad are reigning Wide Receiver of the Year Adron Tennell, defensive backs Terrance Sanders and Paul Stephens, linebacker Terence Moore and defensive linemen James Ruffin and Terrance Taylor.
Spokane's offense in 2013 was the second highest scoring in AFL history with 1,198 points scored over 18 games, good enough for 66.6 points per game. Those points were fueled by 174 touchdowns, also the second highest total in league history.
Filling the void left in Spokane's offense by wide receiver Kamar Jorden departing for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings is Mike Washington, a three-year veteran of the AFL who tallied 100 touchdowns and 4,446 yards during his time with the Pittsburgh Power. With a receiver group headlined by Tennell, Washington and returner Brandon Thompkins, Spokane looks to be even more dangerous through the air than last season.
The Shock return nearly their entire starting defense from the end of 2013, only losing defensive lineman Beau Bell to the brand new Los Angeles KISS and defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters, who joined the Shock coaching staff.
Sliding into a prominent role along the Shock defensive line is Derrick Summers, a three-year veteran who recorded 48 tackles and 16 sacks in his time with the Jacksonville Sharks.
The Barnstormers are led by a third-year head coach of their own in Mike Hohensee, who is 13-23 since joining the team in 2012. Iowa will be led on offense by their new signal caller Carson Coffman, who threw for 3,583 yards and 73 touchdowns with the Chicago Rush in 2013, and wide receiver Marco Thomas.
On the defensive side of the ball the Barnstormers return defensive back De'Mon Glanton and defensive lineman Mike Lewis, who was second in the AFL in 2013 with 12.5 sacks.
The game can be found on TV locally on KHQ-6 with Sam Adams and Mike Peterson in the booth and online at ESPN3.com. On the radio the Shock can be heard on 700 ESPN with Keith Osso and Larry Weir on the call.
Arena Football League Stories from March 13, 2014
- Soul Set to Kickoff 2014 Regular Season - Philadelphia Soul
- Shock Kick off 2014 at Home against Iowa - Spokane Shock
- 92.3 the Fan Continues as Cleveland Gladiators Radio Home for 2014 - Cleveland Gladiators
- Week 1 Preview: Sharks at Predators - Jacksonville Sharks
- AFL and CBS Sports Network Announce On-Air Talent for 2014 Season - AFL
- Jacksonville opens 2014 campaign against new-look Orlando squad - Jacksonville Sharks
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.
