Spokane vs Tampa Bay Game Preview
July 17, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (July 17th, 2012) - In the final week of the AFL regular season the Spokane Shock (9-8) will host the Tampa Bay Storm (8-9) this Saturday, July 21st at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA with a 7:00pm PST kickoff. While the Shock have been eliminated from the 2012 playoff race, Tampa Bay faces a must win situation if they hope to compete in the postseason. A position Spokane isn't used to being in, the Shock can play spoiler this week with a win at home to knock the Storm out of the playoffs and finish the season at an overall record of 10-8.
In week 19, the Shock traveled to Kanas City, MO and came away with a last second victory over the Command on a missed field goal attempt that would have given Kanas City the victory. Two early fumbles by Spokane would keep Kansas City in the game and even take a one touchdown lead. Down by seven points, Spokane gained their final possession of the game with 53 seconds remaining and drove down field to score on a TD pass from QB Kyle Rowley to WR Jeffery Solomon. Electing to go for the two point conversation, Rowley and Solomon connected once again to give Spokane a one point lead with 12 seconds remaining and finally the 49-48 win after a missed 47 yard field goal attempt by Kansas City would deflect off the uprights.
Against Kansas City, Adron Tennell would lead the Shock in receiving with 11 receptions for 101 yards and 3 TDs. With Tennell's performance set a new franchise record for Single Season Receptions (147), Single Season Receiving Yards (1,670), and tied the Single Season Receiving TD record (36) currently held by former Shock WR Huey Whittaker.
The Spokane Shock enter the final week of the regular season ranked 5th in Scoring Offense (58.8 pts/g) and last in Total Defense (allowing 58.5 pts and 328.5 yds per game). Terrance Sanders will be back for his second game after coming off of the Injured Reserve list for last week's game against Kansas City. The defensive back and kick return specialist has been sorely missed over the past few games and the Shock will look for his big play ability to add a spark to the final game of the 2012 season.
After going 0-4 in the month of June, the Tampa Bay Storm have won their last two games by a combined five points; including a one point overtime win against New Orleans in week 19. QB Stephen Wasil has taken over the snaps for Tampa Bay and in the last two team victories he has completed 40 of 63 attempts for 520 yards, 12 TDs and only one INT. A familiar face will join the Storm in Spokane this weekend as former Shock WR Joe Hills, who started the season in Spokane, will return on the opposing roster. In the last three games with Tampa Bay, Hills has caught 26 receptions for 383 yards and 10 TDs.
The Tampa Bay Storm enter the final week of the regular season ranked 8th in Scoring Offense (56.9 pts/g) and 8th in Total Defense (allowing 61.5 pts and 291.6 yards per game). The Storm need a win against the Shock to solidify their spot in the postseason. So far this season, Tampa Bay is only 3-6 against playoff eligible teams and won only their first road game a few weeks ago in Pittsburgh.
Join the Shock this week as they take on the Tampa Bay Storm in their 2012 season finale at Spokane Arena. The first 5,000 fans receive 2012 Shock Team Photos.
This week's game broadcast will be LIVE on SWX, available for listening on 700ESPN Radio and broadcasted on the Shock's Ustream page at ustream.tv/spokaneshock.
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