Shock win 68-51
June 7, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
Boise, ID: It's been less then a week since the Shock were named to the number-one spot in the af2 Coaches Poll, but they seem to be quite comfortable there, and it doesn't look like they will be moving anytime soon. The Shock traveled to Boise and dominated the Boise Burn, 68-51. The win gives the Shock a five-game edge over the Burn in the divisional race.
The Burn won the opening coin toss and Head Coach Lee Leslie chose to receive the opening kick-off, an unusual move in Arena Football. But Leslie's gamble paid off as KR/DB Demond Williams caught the Shock's special teams off guard and returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown. The point after attempt, however, was missed by K Levi Madarieta leaving the door open for Spokane to take the lead on their first possession.
On the ensuing possession WR Raul Vijil, who missed last week's game due to injury, caught a swing pass from QB Nick Davila that he turned into a 40-yard touchdown. Davila found Vijil open in the flats where he broke one tackle, put the brakes on and then sprinted into the endzone for the Shock's first score of the game.
"We had a good game plan and put some big points on the board; we just never let up," Vijil explained. "But we have to give Boise credit; they are a very physical team."
The Shock continued to pour on the offense in the first half scoring 47-points, setting a new franchise record for most points scored in a half.
"We knew that against a team like Boise we were going to have to score early and often," Head Coach Adam Shackleford said after the game.
Boise's offense was led by QB BJ Rhode, who had five touchdown passes but he also tossed three interceptions. Two of those interceptions fell into the hands of Shock DB Sergio Gilliam, who returned one of them for a 24-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Gilliam now has 13 interceptions for the season - two short of tying the af2 record of 15. LB Kevin McCullough had the third interception of the night, for his fourth of the season.
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