Shock win 63-32
March 21, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
Yakima, WA - For some, the US Marines Arena Football Classic was nothing more then an exhibition game.
But don't tell that to Spokane Shock Head Coach Adam Shackleford. In the first of four meetings against division-rival the Tri-Cities Fever, Shackleford used this exhibition game as a test for the 27 players he has on his current training camp roster. That roster will need to be trimmed to 22 before the Shock open the season on March 30th at Green Bay.
But with a 63-32 victory over the Fever, Coach Shackleford has some tough decisions to make before the 30th.
"The tape never lies - I really don't think that the cuts are any clearer (now) then they were before the game," Shackleford said. "I think that we are going to have to let some players go, who could really help some other teams."
After an impressive first few weeks of training camp, Shackleford gave QB Jason Murietta the start for the game. In his two quarters of action, Murietta had four touchdowns completing 19 of 23 passes for 176 yards and certainly impressed Shackleford.
"I thought all of the quarterbacks played really well. I definitely think that Murietta took the pressure of starting in stride," Shackleford said. "I think he did what he we have seen in practice. When we look at the tape, we are going to have some tough decisions. All three quarterbacks played well."
All three quarterbacks did not throw a single interception, while combining for an impressive nine touchdown passes. Shackleford said that he expects to announce a starter for the March 30th Green Bay game on Monday.
Shackleford was also impressed with a deep receiving core that includes two returning receivers Raul Vijil and Kelvin Dickens.
"The reality of it is that all of our guys (the Shock have six receivers on the roster) can catch about 100 balls in this league and we have to cut that down to four" Shackleford lamented.
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator Alex Sirianni was impressed "overall effort" of the team's defense.
"I was happy with our overall effort but we have some mistakes to correct. But those mistakes are fixable," Sirianni said.
Rookie linebacker Kevin McCullough led the team in tackles with six while the secondary came away with 3 interceptions.
"Plan and simple he (McCullough) is just a good football player. He put up great numbers in college (in the outdoor game) and so I'm not surprised that those numbers translated well to the indoor game. Our secondary, gave up some easy ones and we will fix that. They should make plays; that's what they are here to do."
The defensive line also had an impressive game with two sacks (one for returner Devon Parks, one for rookie Jason Jack).
With a decisive victory in hand and a 4-hour bus ride ahead of them, the Shock certainly had to feel good about on their first business trip of the season.
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