Arizona without Davila for matchup at Shock

The Spokane-Arizona matchup was going to be intriguing no matter who lined up at quarterback for the Rattlers. Spokane, for a change, seems settled at the position with Warren Smith expected to make his fourth consecutive start. Arizona, coming off a bye week, was hoping to have former Shock standout Nick Davila back from a toe injury back but he remains on injured reserve. B.J. Coleman, who took over with Davila injured and guided the Rattlers to a 2-1 mark, left the team earlier this week to pursue an opportunity outside football. That figures to put the ball in Shane Boyd’s hands when the three-time Arena Football League champion Rattlers (6-2) and Shock (3-5) meet Saturday night at 7 at the Arena. The well-traveled Boyd, 32, has been spent time in the NFL, NFL Europe, CFL, UFL, CIFL (Continental Indoor Football League) and AFL. His last game action was with San Antonio in 2014. He also played for AFL teams in Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. “We’re going to rally behind him and we’re going to go win,” Arizona coach Kevin Guy told the Arizona Republic. Arizona, even without its top two QBs, has another talented roster, including a defense that has forced 20 turnovers and allows 46 points per game, ranking third in both categories. “Their defense is the same, stopping people left and right. Their wide receivers have played better in the last few games,” Shock coach Andy Olson said. “They’re a solid team.” Shock linebacker Kevin McCullough and Davila, teammates at the University of Cincinnati, Spokane and Arizona, are best friends. “The only year we didn’t play together was 2010 when I was here and Oklahoma City and he was in Arizona. Hopefully he gets to play, we’ll see. Hopefully not, I told him that,” a laughing McCullough said. “Feel free to rest another week and make sure you’re ready to go.” The Rattlers through the years have handled Spokane in Phoenix, including 60-43 in the season opener, but they’re just 1-5 at the Arena. Smith has been solid in two of his three starts. He ranks sixth with a 117.8 passer rating and second in completion percentage (68.9). Spokane has made a few adjustments at receiver, placing Rashaad Carter (thumb) on injured reserve, activating former Montana Grizzly Jabin Sambrano and inserting Samuel Charles into the starting lineup.