Back with an advance of Saturday's Spokane/Tri-Cities game. The unedited version is below.

 

By Jim Meehan

Staff writer

The Spokane Shock are saying all the right things.

No. 1 Spokane (8-0) visits West Division cellar dweller Tri-Cities (1-7) tonight, capping a stretch of nine games in nine weeks. The Shock have a bye next week, but they won’t be able to fully enjoy it if they stumble against an opponent that has endured five losses by at least 30 points, including a 62-32 drubbing in Spokane six weeks ago.

“We have to be ready. As an undefeated team, everyone is looking to be the team to knock you off and give you that first loss,” Shock defensive back Sergio Gilliam said. “I consider arena football like college basketball. Anyone can beat anyone at any given time, depending on how well you prepare.”

On the preparation front, Shock coach Adam Shackleford isn’t worried.

“I prepare more for these kinds of games, maybe even over-prepare, to make sure we’re ready,” he said. “When you face a Boise or Tulsa or Wilkes-Barre, you know what you’re going to get. These are the kinds of teams that are dying for a win and they’re going to run some trick stuff and pull out all the stops.

“In an arena game, if you can keep it close for 3½ quarters you have a chance to win.”

The Fever made a coaching change – Pat O’Hara is in, Richard Davis is out – and numerous roster revisions since losing to Spokane on April 11. Ryan Porter, who was traded by the Fever just before the 2008 season opener, is now the starting quarterback. Phil Goodman, who had three touchdown catches in the first meeting, was dealt to Central Valley for Porter and ex-Washington State Cougar receiver Finas Rabb.

Tri-Cities, 77-28 losers to Boise two weeks ago, had a bye last week.

“My experience playing down there was that it was a hard place to play,” Shock quarterback Nick Davila said. “They had a similar kind of record last year, but they came out and played hard.”

Shock defensive back Aaron Williams (knee) won’t play. Shackleford hopes Williams will be available when Spokane meets Stockton on June 12.

Notes

Fever starting linebacker Chris Hemphill was in Shock training camp before being released. … Spokane traded receiver Johnny Walker to Tri-Cities last week. Walker is not expected to play tonight. … Receiver Tremayne Kirkland, who was on Spokane’s roster prior to the season, leads Tri-Cities with 52 receptions, 562 yards and 10 touchdowns. Spokane traded Kirkland to South Georgia, which dealt him to Tri-Cities. … Fever lineman Chuck Jones, who played for Spokane in 2006, has been activated from team suspension.

 

 

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