Shock, Yard Dawgz battle in Arena
Spokane puts its unbeaten record on the line against Oklahoma City on Friday. Read on for my unedited game preview that will run in Friday's S-R.
Also, the Tri-Cities Fever, Spokane's closest geographic rival, may not be around in 2010..
By
Staff writer
A
The matchup in early June would have been so-so.
The matchup tonight looks pretty darn entertaining.
Kickoff is at 7 at the Arena.
“This will be a tremendous test for our defense,” Shock head coach Adam Shackleford said. “This team is capable of scoring in a lot of different ways. Defensively, they do some things that could give us some problems if we don’t protect (quarterback) Nick (Davila).”
“We’ve been tested, but I don’t think we’ve been tested enough for me to feel that we’re a team that can relax,” Shackleford said. “This is the beef of our schedule.”
The Yard Dawgz have scored 62 points or more seven times. Quarterback Robert Kent has tossed 65 touchdown passes and rushed for nine scores and 294 yards, second in af2. Davila (128.0) and Kent (127.5) rank one-two in passing efficiency.
The similarities carry over to receiver where Oklahoma City’s Al Hunt has 978 yards and 28 touchdowns and Spokane’s Raul Vijil has 1,048 yards and 25 TDs. Hunt’s 210 career touchdowns ranks No. 1 on af2’s all-time list.
“He’s kind of a true throwback ironman,” Shackleford said. “He plays receiver, ‘Jack’ (linebacker), takes snaps under center at the goal line. He’s certainly capable of controlling a game.”
Notes
Shock receiver Charles Dillon (ankle) will be a game-day decision. Dillon, who missed last week’s game, practiced the last few days. … As of Thursday morning, about 1,300 tickets were still available. … Shackleford earned his 40th af2 career coaching win last week. … Af2 president Jerry Kurz will attend tonight’s game. …