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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Shock refuse to settle for just making playoffs

Team goes on road with seeding undetermined

Spokane has qualified for the playoffs but that’s not the end game.

“Everybody has been a little more upbeat just with winning games, that’s what comes with it,” coach Andy Olson said of the team’s modest two-game winning streak. “Right now it’s the mentality of making sure that we don’t settle in because we’re in the playoffs. I want to be the third seed and have that chance to go down to Arizona.”

Spokane (6-10) has two regular-season games remaining, beginning with today’s road contest against Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena, to try to build momentum. The Gladiators (7-9) need one win or a Tampa Bay loss to clinch a playoff berth in the American Conference.

Shock quarterback and Cleveland native Arvell Nelson knows a lot about the Gladiators. He was working at a Cleveland salt mine before joining the Shock in June. He attended a few Gladiator games.

“They’re a hard-hitting group,” Nelson said. “They’re a veteran group. Last year they had a great run, made it all the way to the ArenaBowl. You can’t take a team like that lightly.”

Spokane has been defense-driven of late, holding its last three opponents to 45 points or less. The offense, under Nelson, has made some strides, but Olson wants point totals to reach the 50s and 60s.

“We’re trying to get a little better on offense,” Olson said. “The defense has been playing really well the last two weeks. The offense needs to improve.”

Cleveland has dropped four straight. The Gladiators are 2-5 at home, 5-4 away. The home team is 0-5 in the Spokane-Cleveland series.

Quarterback Shane Austin ranks second in touchdowns (92) and third in passing yards (4,240) but his 18 interceptions are the third-most behind Tampa Bay’s Jason Boltus (21) and Portland’s Kyle Rowley (19). Dominick Goodman, Collin Taylor and Amarri Jackson are 1,000-yard receivers and they’ve combined for 87 touchdowns.

Former Shock defensive lineman Mike Alston has 5.5 sacks. Devon Dace, released by Spokane after starting the first seven games, has moved into the starting secondary. Former Shock standout Terrance Sanders is on injured reserve.