Talons Week 18 Preview
July 17, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Antonio Talons News Release
The San Antonio Talons (9-7) will look to continue their winning ways on the road against the Spokane Shock (12-4) in Week 18. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday at 9:00 CST from the Spokane Arena. The Talons defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 68-42 last week keeping their playoff hopes intact. Quarterback Rohan Davey stole the show, throwing for 313 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. San Antonio will need a similar performance from Davey this week if they want to beat a red hot Spokane team.
Last week the Shock dominated the Jacksonville Sharks recording an impressive victory on the road by a score of 62-40. Spokane's defense was stellar against the Sharks, forcing four turnovers and returning two interceptions for touchdowns. Although the Shock have already clinched a playoff berth, don't expect them to lay down against the Talons this week.
The teams last faced each other in week 10 at the Alamodome with the Shock capturing a 61-48 victory over San Antonio. The receiving duo of Adron Tennell and Kamar Jorden proved to be a nightmare for the Talons defense, as the two combined for a total of 206 yards and six touchdowns.
Jack linebacker Jamar Ransom and San Antonio's secondary will have to find a way to stop Tennell and Jorden in Friday's contest. San Antonio's defense looked great against the Storm, forcing five turnovers and sacking quarterback Ray Hippeard three times. One of those sacks came from defensive lineman Joe Sykes, giving him 12 sacks for the season which is good for 2nd best in the AFL. The defense faces an extremely daunting task as they go up against a Shock offense that is averaging 67 points per game.
The Talons will also need their offense to come through this week if they want to keep pace with the high scoring Shock. Keep an eye on San Antonio's wide receiver/kick returner D.J. Stephens in this one. He put on a show last week against the Storm, catching five touchdowns on Saturday with three of them coming in the first half. No question that Stephens will be a big x-factor again this week, both on special teams and offense.
Something has got to give this week, as one of the best offenses in the league will go up against one of the best defensive teams. Will the Talons be able to duplicate their Week 17 defensive performance, or will quarterback Erik Meyer and the Spokane offense be too much to overcome? San Antonio will certainly have to lay it all out on the line on Friday against a team that they have struggled mightily with in the past.
The San Antonio Talons are in their second season in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team won the AFL's Central Division title, as well as hosted their first AFL playoff game in the 2012 season. For more information or to ask about season tickets please call 210.227.TEAM.
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