Shock rock Amarillo
The defending ArenaCup champion Spokane Shock didn’t let an early injury to their starting quarterback keep them from claiming the Western Division crown.
That’s because backup QB Justin Rummell threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, and Shock defender Nygel Rogers intercepted three passes en route to a 55-19 arenafootball2 victory over Amarillo before 2,802 Saturday at Cal Farley Coliseum.
With the win, the Shock (11-4) locked up the division title and at least one home game in the playoffs.
Spokane was in charge from the outset, building a 20-0 lead in the first quarter.
Shock starter Andrico Hines went down in the first quarter with a back injury and Rummell entered.
“We’ve had our share of injuries this season and battled through them,” said Spokane coach Adam Shackleford.
“Justin has played like this before, so we knew what he could do. He stepped in and had a solid game.”
Rogers’ three picks led to three touchdowns for the Shock.
“Our defensive backs have great athletic ability,” said Shackleford, “and they’ve constantly made plays for us all season.”
It didn’t take long for the Shock to get on the scoreboard.
Rogers intercepted Amarillo quarterback Steve Panella’s first pass and receiver Antwone Savage pulled in a 45-yard TD pass from Rummell three plays later. Hines was injured on the second play, following an incompletion.
Amarillo’s third possession ended without a first down, and the Shock made it 20-0 on a 2-yard run by Chico Mackey that capped a six-play drive with 38 seconds left in the quarter.
The Dusters finally scored on their next possession thanks to a nine-play drive that was capped by Panella’s 1-yard run.
It was all Spokane in the second half, as the Shock scored 28 unanswered points to pull away.
“Our record now is 3-12 and we finally played like it,” said Dusters coach Steve Perdue. “We didn’t pass protect well, we ran a lot of bad pass routes and in general just didn’t play well. Spokane is an outstanding team and they capitalized on our mistakes.”
Shackleford said the Shock were determined not to let Amarillo’s record influence how they played.
“We told our players that Amarillo has better personnel than its record,” he said. “We were determined not to take anything for granted. We just wanted to come out and play hard from the beginning.”
Notes
Savage scored two TDs before leaving the game with a foot injury. He is listed as a game-time decision for next week. Hines’ status is not known. … Mackey led the Shock receivers with three TDs. … Rummell completed 8 of 16 passes. … Spokane’s Kelvin Morris scored his sixth TD of the season, a 24-yard fumble return.