Shock will have their hands full

The Spokane Shock take their first road trip today with a new player in the fold.

Former Eastern Washington University standout offensive lineman Kurt Sigler has joined the arenafootball2 team and could see some playing time against Bakersfield on Sunday. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at Rabobank Arena.

Sigler was released by the Buffalo Bills prior to the 2004 season. He then went to Winnipeg of the CFL in 2004, and last year he spent time in the preseason with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Sigler, a Coeur d’Alene High graduate, was second-team All-Big Sky as a senior. He’s been on Spokane’s radar for some time, coach Chris Siegfried said.

Bakersfield (1-0) has been on Siegfried’s radar since Spokane put the finishing touches on a 41-40 win over Stockton last Thursday. The Blitz opened with a 60-54 road victory over Everett.

Spokane, Bakersfield, Stockton, Everett and Central Valley form the West Division of the National Conference. The teams have 15 games remaining, but early returns indicate the division could be formidable.

Central Valley ripped Rio Grande Valley 65-34 last week. Rio Grande Valley played in the National Conference championship game last year.

“In the past, this division hasn’t been known to be a powerhouse division, but I think times are changing,” Siegfried said. “Bakersfield and Everett impressed me.”

Blitz quarterback Mike Wall passed for six touchdowns, four of those going to offensive specialist Rennard Reynolds, who finished with eight receptions for 120 yards. Reynolds added a rushing touchdown.

“They put 60 on the board, they’ve got a good quarterback and good receivers and a good pass rush,” Siegfried said.

Spokane’s effort was outstanding in the season opener, Siegfried said, but he added, “We need to improve on a weekly basis if we’re going to win games.”

Notes

To make room for Sigler, Chuck Jones, who blocked a key PAT in the fourth quarter in the Shock’s season opener, was placed on recallable reassignment. … The remainder of Shock games can be heard on 105.7-FM. The opener was on 790-AM because it fell on a week night. The stations have the same ownership. … Bakersfield is ranked No. 10 in the af2 coaches’ poll; Spokane is 12th.