Shock to twice strike Lightning?
The Spokane Shock cleared last week’s hurdle of ending their two-game losing streak with an easy win over Lubbock. Tonight they will look to extend their winning ways against the host Stockton Lightning.
The Shock are 4-0 against the Lightning (1-2), who they are facing for the second time this season. In their season opener at the Arena, the Shock (2-2) defeated their af2 West Division rivals 51-35. To do so again, according to Shock coach Adam Shackleford said, will not be an easy task.
The Lightning gave up a last-minute touchdown in last week’s matchup with the division-leading Bakersfield Blitz (3-0) and lost 45-42. The week before, Stockton earned its first victory, 50-47 over Central Valley.
“I expect a much better Stockton team than we saw last time,” Shackleford said.
A win would give the Shock, who moved back into the coaches’ poll at No. 14 this week, their first victory on the road this season. If they play like they did last week that should not be a problem.
Shock quarterback Andrico Hines threw no interceptions for the second week in a row, and connected for six touchdown passes in last week’s victory at the Arena. He completed 17 of 31 passes and finished with 192 yards.
“Andrico is getting better every week,” Shackleford said. “He is starting to see the big picture and I really think he has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”
The defense gave Lubbock all kinds of trouble last weekend. Secondary defender Rob Keefe picked off Renegades quarterback Justin Midgett twice and ran one interception back for a touchdown. Keefe also broke up three pass plays.
The tackling also improved from two weeks ago, when Shackleford said the team missed 32 tackles in the Shock’s 63-56 loss to Fort Wayne. Last week, the Shock missed less than 10 tackles.
“We have to continue to tackle on defense,” Shackleford said. “We have to handle a road trip and come out with a win. Winning on the road is important when you are trying to get home-field advantage.”
Wide receiver Chico Mackey was activated and will play this weekend, but the team will be without a couple of veteran players.
Receiver Raul Vijil, who scored two TDs in last week’s victory, did not travel with the team because of an ankle injury sustained in the third quarter of the game against Lubbock. Defensive lineman Jerome Stevens will not play because of a knee injury that flared up this week.
With the Shock’s bye week coming up, Shackleford expects everyone will be healthy and ready to go in two weeks.
Notes
Backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez has been traded to the Louisville Fire for future considerations. … Quarterback Chivalrik Daughtry has been assigned to the Spokane roster. Daughtry played at Morehouse College where he passed for over 5,000 yards in his four-year career. … WR Lynzell Jackson has been placed on recallable assignment.