Spokane to Host Philadelphia Soul for 10th Electrifying Home Opener
March 31, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, Wash. (March 31, 2015) - The Shock (0-1, 0-0) will host the Philadelphia Soul (1-0, 0-0) for their Week 2 Arena Football League match-up of 2015 and Spokane's 10th electrifying season opener on Saturday, April 4 at Spokane Veteran's Memorial Arena with a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
The Shock and Soul have met only three times since Spokane joined the Arena Football League in 2010. The most recent meeting during the 2012 season in Philadelphia on July 8 which resulted in a Soul victory by a final score of 48-62. Spokane holds a 2-1 edge overall in the series, having won both match-ups prior to July 8, 2012. Both of those previous wins were at Spokane Arena with the Shock winning by an average margin of 19.5 points.
In most recent contest Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley, now with the Portland Thunder, threw for 325 yards and seven touchdowns but four costly interceptions would provide Philadelphia with additional opportunities to score. Two of the interceptions and the fumble recovery were by Soul defensive back Kent Richardson, who led Philadelphia in their 2015 Week 1 game last weekend against Orlando with 6.5 tackles and one tackle for loss.
The Soul closed out a tight game last weekend against the Predators, sealing the 70-63 win by keeping Orlando short of the end zone with time expiring as they attempted to tie the contest. Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh completed 30 of 48 pass attempts for 422 yards with 8 touchdowns and no interceptions in the win, while Predators quarterback Randy Hippeard matched Raduabaugh's 8 passing scores.
Philadelphia took possession with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, trailing the Predators 63-62. Driving down the field Raudabaugh's pass was intercepted by Predator defensive back Paul Stephens, but a holding penalty on the defense would give the Soul the ball back on the Orlando with a first and goal on the six-yard line. A short touchdown pass to receiver Ryan McDaniel followed by a two-point conversion on a Marko Thomas run would give the Soul the 70-63 advantage and the win.
Spokane is coming off a tough Week 1 loss to the Rattlers in Arizona by a final score of 60-43. After trading scores through the start of the first quarter, a bar-ball recovery by Arizona paired with a strip-fumble recovery by Rattler's defensive back Jeremy Kellem early in the second would lead to a two score swing.
Shock quarterback Carson Coffman completed 11 of 21 pass attempts for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first-half, but would sustain an injury to pull him from action at half-time. Back-up quarterback Jarrett Brown would enter in the second half and complete 8 of 12 pass attempts for 84 yards while adding a rushing score, but a fumble and interception would provide the three-team ArenaBowl champion Rattlers with all the opportunities they needed to seal the win.
Spokane receiver Mike Washington recorded 10 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns last week, the first 150 yard performance by Spokane receiver since he did it himself on April 4, 2014 against the SaberCats with 171 yards.
The Soul will travel west to Spokane for their Week 2 match up under current Head Coach Clint Dolezel who enters this third season with Philadelphia, fourth overall in the AFL. Dolezel enters 2015 with a 35-25 overall record which includes a 16-15 overall road record. After a 9-9 regular season last year, the Soul earned a playoff berth but were unable to overtake the Gladiators who would go on their way to an American Conference Championship win and ArenaBowl appearance.
Both the Shock and Soul saw some turnover between their 2014 and current rosters with a number of key statistical leaders from past seasons moving to new teams in 2015. The Shock saw the quarterback and receiver connection of Erik Meyer and Adron Tennell to San Jose. The Soul saw receiver Tiger Jones leave for Jacksonville and full back Derrick Ross end up with the Sharks as well after being traded twice in the off-season.
Philadelphia did return veteran receiver Ryan McDaniel in 2015, plus added 2014 First Team All-Arena and Cutters Receiver of the year Marco Thomas. Mac linebacker Beau Bell was also acquired by the Soul in the off-season, who enters his fifth AFL season after spending 2011-2013 in Spokane and the 2014 season with Los Angeles.
This Saturday's tenth electrifying season opener presented by George Gee Kia and AM 700 ESPN Spokane at Spokane Arena is also dollar night with one dollar hot dogs, soda, and popcorn available for purchase at arena concessions.
The first 7,500 fans receive magnet schedules courtesy of George Gee Kia. Umpqua Bank will be handing out Shock kid's autograph books and will be hosting a Shox the Fox photo booth on the main concourse of the arena. AllSport will be offering Shock fans the chance to win a RZR © 900 EPS Trail, sign-up will be available at their booth on the arena concourse each game leading up to the June 26 half-time drawing.
Fans are invited to join Shock players, coaches and fellow fans at the post-game party at The Black Diamond located at 9614 E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley with food and beverage specials following the game.
Single game tickets are on sale at all TicketsWest box office locations, at the Spokane Arena box office online at www.TicketsWest.com, and by phone at 800.325.SEAT (7328).
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Arena Football League Stories from March 31, 2015
- Thunder WR Howard Earns AFL Highlight of the Week Award - Portland Thunder
- Soul Players to Receive Week 1 Awards - Philadelphia Soul
- Phinisee Named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week - Cleveland Gladiators
- Sharks' Joe Hills Named AFL Playmaker of the Week - Jacksonville Sharks
- Raudabaugh, Phinisee, and Hills Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Raudabaugh Reaches 400 Touchdowns - Philadelphia Soul
- Spokane to Host Philadelphia Soul for 10th Electrifying Home Opener - Spokane Shock
- Game Preview: Week 2 - Thunder Host Tampa Bay Storm - Portland Thunder
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