Shock survive, win thriller
If Spokane has learned anything about arena football this season, it’s that no lead is safe – even after the Shock scored on eight straight possessions from late in the first quarter to late in the fourth quarter.
But when Central Valley’s defense rose up to stop Spokane’s offense with 11 seconds remaining, it was hang-on time for the Shock and a loud gathering of 10,099 Saturday at the Arena.
The Coyotes moved into position for John Gockman’s 37-yard field-goal attempt, but the kick missed wide left and the Shock escaped with a madcap 61-59 arenafootball2 victory.
“It was relief,” Shock coach Chris Siegfried said, “and now I know that I can enjoy my weekend. It’s been a magical year so far and we want to keep it going.”
The top-ranked Shock improved to 8-1 and sidestepped the hex on previous No. 1 teams. The last three No. 1s lost in their next game. Central Valley, which nearly matched Spokane score for score, dropped to 5-4.
Both teams’ offenses were pretty much unstoppable. Spokane, paced by Alex Neist’s 295 yards passing and Charles Frederick’s five touchdowns, racked up 24 first downs and 324 yards. Central Valley piled up 19 first downs and 319 yards.
“It’s just one of those things where whoever had the ball last was going to have a chance to win it,” Shock defensive coordinator Troy Biladeau said. “We got lucky that they missed the field goal.
“All the rules favor the offense, but they got a little momentum and some confidence. We tried to mix up our coverages and we still couldn’t stop them.”
But Spokane did mix up the Coyotes with a key touchdown late in the second quarter. The Shock led 20-17, but they were stuck at their own 15 with just 3 seconds remaining when Neist hit Antwone Savage over the middle. Savage stopped and fired an overhand lateral to Kevin Beard at the Coyotes’ 21. Beard circled toward the right sideline, picked up a crushing block from Frederick on Maurice Taylor and won a race to the corner of the end zone.
“We just put that play in on Thursday,” Neist said. “The first couple times we ran it we were a little rusty because we didn’t know exactly how we wanted to run it. Actually going out there (with 3 seconds left), I said, ‘Coach, don’t forget about that special play’, and he said, ‘OK.’ “
The touchdown gave Spokane a 27-17 halftime edge, and the teams traded touchdowns until the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Frederick’s fifth TD – a 12-yard sweep around right end – made it 61-52 with 51 seconds remaining, but Central Valley answered two plays and 15 seconds later on Lamonte Jones’ 15-yard touchdown reception.
Instead of a traditional onside kick, Gockman tried a pooch kick that Frederick easily hauled in, giving Spokane the ball at Central Valley’s 23. Three plays later, Frederick was stuffed for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-1.
After the last of quarterback Scott Rislov’s 24 completions, Gockman’s field-goal attempt from 37 yards had plenty of distance but missed by several yards.
“It’s tough to be in a situation where you can’t do anything about it, where you can’t drive down field and win the game,” Neist said. “Central Valley is a great team and fortunately we came out on top. It’s nice to be 8-1 and in this league a win’s a win. It doesn’t matter how you get it.”
Frederick had eight receptions, Savage seven and Beard four catches for 113 yards. Frederick added 28 yards rushing.
Rislov was 24 of 33 for 318 yards and seven touchdowns. Weston Borba twice made touchdown catches in which he batted the ball to himself in midair and then made the grab.
The Shock visit Louisville next Saturday.