Shock win in dramatic fashion, 56-52
July 12, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane, WA: In a game reminiscent of a ten-round heavy-weight bout, the Spokane Shock defeated the Wilkes/Barre Scranton Pioneers 56-52. This was the Shock's eighth victory on Spokane Tribe Field this season and secured a perfect record at home for the first time in franchise history.
After four exchanged leads, Spokane dealt a knock-out blow with a 16-yard pass from QB Nick Davila to WR Markee White. White broke to the left in the corner of the endzone with DB Chris Royal chasing him and made a circus catch that sent him over the dasher boards but still managed to hang on to the ball for the game-winning touchdown.
"It was back and forth; and it came down to the last possession and I made the play at the end," White said. "This was a playoff atmosphere game."
K Brian Jackson knocked in the extra point, his eighth of the night, to give Spokane a 56-52 lead with only 23.9 seconds left.
The Pioneers' ensuing drive started at the four-yard line. After firing an incomplete pass, Vena connected with a 15-yard strike to WR JJ Outlaw. With six-seconds left, Vena launched a deep pass into the endzone that was picked off by DB Sergio Gilliam to clinch the four-point victory over the second-ranked Pioneers.
Gilliam's final interception was his third of the game and tied the Shock's single-game record for most interceptions in a game. DB Virgil Gray, who made his first start for the Shock this season, also collected an interception in the second quarter and earned the Big Game Catch of the Game for his efforts. Vena, who now has 10 interceptions on the season, had never thrown more than three interceptions in a single-game until tonight.
Davila had two interceptions tonight but also added six touchdown passes and completed 63-percent of his passes. Davila's leading target tonight was WR Raul Vijil who had 13 receptions - including three touchdowns - for 124 yards. On special teams, Vijil also added a 57-yard kick-off return for a TD that helped off-set a 49-yard TD reception by Outlaw on the Pioneers' previous drive.
"That's what Arena Football is all about. It was a fast, playoff atmosphere. We were ready; they were ready," Vijil explained. "Our defense played well and got stops when they needed to; we put up points when we needed to and it was a good, tough, hard-fought battle."
Spokane (13-1) travels to Fresno, CA next week to take on the Central Valley Coyotes Saturday night. The Shock will return to Spokane on August 1st for its first-round playoff match-up. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the Shock ticket office.
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