Shock strike Lightning, 59-42
April 4, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane, WA: Not all good things need come to end. For the fourth consecutive season, the Spokane Shock came away with a 59-42 victory on opening night in front of a sold -out crowd, their 20th straight regular season sell-out.
In a see-saw first half battle, Stockton drew first blood on a 28-yard pass from the Lightning's QB Andy Collins to WR Troy McBroom, his longest of the night. Collins added four more touchdown passes and ended the night with 311 total passing yards. Although Collins did not make many mistakes tonight, he did make a crucial mistake at the end of the first half that proved to be a "game-breaker" for the Shock, according to Head Coach Adam Shackleford. The game-breaker came courtesy of LB Kevin McCullough who intercepted a Collins pass and returned it 40-yards for a touchdown.
"I really think that Kevin McCullough interception was a back breaker, "Shackleford explained. "Instead of being tied at the end of the half we were up 14 points and started out in the second half with the ball. That play really swung the momentum in our favor."
McCullough and the rest of his defensive teammates came up with a total of five stops against the Collins-led offense that proved to be the difference in tonight's game.
"We needed a play to be made and if I wasn't going to make it someone else would have," McCullough explained. "Anyone else out there could have made the play. We have so many good players on this team, there are going to be other people to make those same kind of plays that will give us an advantage all season long."
The Shock's defensive efforts were well-complemented by the Shock's offense, led by the Offensive Player of the Game WR Raul Vijil.
Vijil, who scored the Shock's first touchdown of the night, led the team in receptions (seven), receiving yardage (107) and touchdown receptions (four).
"It felt great to come out here tonight and get a win," Vijil explained. "It was nice to have Nick (Davila), a familiar face, back there. We haven't had that in the past years but I think it will really help us this season."
For his efforts, QB Nick Davila produced 228 passing yards with only one interception and six touchdown passes. In his rookie debut performance WR Charles Dillon had four receptions - including two touchdowns - for 81 yards.
"As a team, I think we were about a C-plus tonight. I think we could have played a lot better on both sides of the ball
" Shackleford explained. "We made some mistakes tonight, but they are all things that will come. It was the first game, those things are going to happen but it's my job to get them corrected."
The Shock will host the Tri-Cities Fever on Spokane Tribe Field April 11th at 7 PM. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest.
JLS Ironman of the Game: SPOKANE - Harrison Nikolao
Aaron's Defensive Player of the Game: SPOKANE - Kevin McCullough
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SPOKANE Raul Vijil
The big Game Catch of the Game: SPOKANE - Kevin McCullough 2nd qtr interception
Attendance: 10,558
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