Jason Murrietta, who opened the 2008 season as Spokane's starting quarterback before losing the job to Nick Davila, won't lead Central Valley against the Shock on Saturday night. He's out with a shoulder injuury.

Read more below, along with several other Shock notes.

By Jim Meehan

Staff writer

One reunion will go off as scheduled and one won’t when the Spokane Shock entertain Central Valley on Saturday night.

Former Shock quarterback Jason Murrietta, off to a strong start for Central Valley, won’t play after injuring his right (throwing) shoulder in Saturday’s loss to Arkansas. Meanwhile, ex-Coyotes defensive end Ben McCombs, who leads Spokane with seven sacks, is looking forward to lining up against his 2008 arenafootball2 employer.

The month of May hasn’t been kind to Murrietta. He led Spokane to a 5-0 record and No. 2 ranking last season before losing the job to Nick Davila, who is 20-2 as the starting quarterback. Murrietta was injured Saturday on a crushing hit by a defender that was late enough to draw a penalty flag.

“I’m sure Jason really wanted to play against us,” Shock coach Adam Shackleford said. “He’s a good quarterback, we knew that. He was beaten out by someone who in our opinion is a little better and has proven that as well.”

Murrietta and Davila remain good friends.

“I texted him Saturday night and I told him I’d be praying for him and a speedy recovery,” Davila said. “We’re really close. That’s how it should be for a team and the No. 1 and No. 2 guy.”

Murrietta has completed nearly 71 percent of his passes with 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s ranked eighth with a passer rating of 119.7.

“He’s pretty disappointed obviously,” said Shock receiver Andy Olson, who also stays in touch with Murrietta. “I’m not sure of the severity, I think he sprained his AC joint, but unfortunately it’s his throwing arm.

“I think he’s enjoying (playing for Central Valley), but he wishes they were doing a little better.”

McCombs, tied for the league lead in sacks, hopes to introduce himself to Ryan O’Hara, who is expected to replace Murrietta for the Coyotes (3-4).

“It’s always fun to play against a team I used to play for,” McCombs said. “Coach (Fred) Biletnikoff (Jr.) is a really good guy. He’s very emotional and an excitable guy. I like playing with guys that get into it and want to win as much as you do.”

Turnover bug

After committing five turnovers in their first six games, the Shock had four giveaways against Florida, but still won 49-38. Davila was intercepted for just the third time this season. He was attempting to throw the ball away into the stands, but was hit with his arm in motion. Spokane also fumbled three times.

“We played really well offensively aside from three plays,” Olson said. “Our offense dominated, but we stopped ourselves.”

Williams on the mend

Defensive back Aaron Williams (knee) practiced Tuesday and expects to play Saturday. He missed the Florida game with a swollen knee.

“They thought my meniscus was torn, but it turns out it wasn’t,” said Williams, second on team with 35 tackles. “There’s something going on in the hamstring down by the knee, but it’s feeling a lot better this week.”

Other than a few bumps and bruises, Shackleford said everyone else came out of the Florida game healthy. Linebacker Kevin McCullough practiced with a red (no contact) jersey. He played Saturday with a fractured finger and intercepted his third pass of the season.

Notes

Four of kicker Brian Jackson’s relatives sat behind the Shock bench Saturday. They made the seven-hour drive from Alabama to Fort Myers, Fla. … Receiver Patrick Bugg, on injured reserve for four weeks, won’t need surgery for his ailing knee. “He just hasn’t been able to shake this injury,” Shackleford said. “We sat down and he admitted that he needed to rest it completely. That’s the mark of a good person, teammate and professional.”

 

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