Shock’s concern is getting healthy

To say the Spokane Shock’s game tonight is meaningless is mostly true.

For Spokane, it’s a week to rest starting quarterback Andrico Hines and top receiver Antwone Savage before the defending ArenaCup-champion Shock begin their second postseason run next Saturday.

For Everett, which was eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, the game means ending its season on a winning note.

The Shock (11-4) face the Hawks (6-9) tonight at the Events Center in the regular-season finale for the Western Division rivals.

The Shock locked up the division crown and second seed in the American Conference with their 55-19 win over Amarillo last Saturday and are focusing on getting healthy this week after Hines and Savage were injured in the first quarter against the Dusters.

Shock coach Adam Shackleford said both Hines (lower back strain) and Savage (toe) will be ready to go for the playoff opener next Saturday at the Arena � which is why both will sit out this weekend against the Hawks.

“We understand that this is a rivalry game, but we also understand that we have the playoffs just ahead,” Shackleford said. “We will go over there with the intent to win, but we intend to stay healthy as well.”

Backup quarterback Justin Rummell will start in Hines’ spot and Anthony Brown, who plays on both sides of the ball, will fill in as a receiver alongside Kelvin Dickens and Chico Mackey. Newly signed lineman Odell Willis will take Brown’s spot on defense.

Willis, who was a teammate of Shock lineman Kelvin Morris for one season at West Georgia University, has been compared to defensive lineman Devon Parks (the current team leader in sacks).

“He has a real nose for the QB,” Shackleford said. “He looks good in practice and I’m anxious to see him perform in a rivalry game like this one.”

Receiver Raul Vijil, who didn’t make the trip to Amarillo last week, will also rest his high-ankle sprain and is expected back for the playoff opener.

“We’re not holding these guys out because we feel Everett isn’t a tough team, the reality is these guys are injured without a bye week, so we have to get these guys healthy. We’re still going to go over and hopefully come home with another win under our belts.”