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Spokane Shock

Shock look to turn things around as Arizona comes to town

Spokane didn’t have much time to sulk after Sunday’s road loss to the L.A. Kiss, one of the worst teams in the Arena Football League.

The Shock traveled back from southern California and squeezed in a few practices to prepare for tonight’s visit from three-time defending champion Arizona.

Oh, and they might be breaking in another starting quarterback.

The Rattlers (12-2) won their eighth straight last Saturday while the Shock’s loss left Spokane (4-10) and Portland (4-10) tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the National Conference. Las Vegas (5-9) is currently the third seed. L.A. (3-11) remains in the picture.

It’s the third time this season Spokane has a five-day turnaround between games.

“It’s such a short week we just go right into Arizona,” coach Andy Olson said. “Physically we can’t do a whole lot. We’ll focus more on the mental part.”

Olson said Wednesday that Arvell Nelson, who replaced Warren Smith in the second half of Sunday’s loss, would make his first AFL start. However, a team release Thursday listed Smith as the starter.

“He (Nelson) just brings a different dimension but he’s still basically just a rookie quarterback,” Olson said Wednesday. “There’s going to be some mistakes. As long as he doesn’t throw any interceptions or turn the ball over he’s going to give us a chance to win the game.”

Arizona won the first two meetings. Spokane was within seven in the fourth quarter of the season opener before falling 60-43. It was tied late in the fourth quarter of the rematch but Jeremy Kellem’s interception (he leads the AFL with 12) ended the Shock’s chances in the final minute.

“What we need to do to win those close games is be more clutch and be in the right positions to make plays at the end of games instead of the mental mistakes we’ve done in the past,” linebacker Kevin McCullough said.