Shock look to avenge loss to Bakersfield

Riding a three-game winning streak, the Spokane Shock have one thing on their mind this week: Keep it going, and maybe get a little revenge while they are at it.

The Shock (6-3) have picked up momentum over the past two weeks, securing the 66-63 win two weeks ago when they hosted Central Valley on a last-second touchdown from Kelvin Dickens, and relying on the defense last week to hold on and defeat visiting Everett 52-47 and gain sole possession of first place in the Western Division standings.

The last time the Shock lost was on May 12 in their first meeting of the season with division rival Bakersfield – 44-28 at the Arena – which was also the last time the Blitz (4-4) won. When the teams meet tonight at Rabobank Arena, the Shock will look not only to solidify their lead in the division standings, but avenge the earlier loss to the Blitz.

In the May 12 meeting, the Blitz defense overpowered the depleted Shock offense.

After leading 21-0 in the first quarter, the Shock were held to seven points in the final three quarters. Blitz quarterback Denny Gile, who is serving a three-week suspension, threw three touchdown passes for 176 yards.

“We know we didn’t play well last time,” Shock coach Adam Shackleford said. “Some of that was because of circumstances beyond our control, with injuries, but we make no excuses. They came up and beat us in our house and now we have to go down there and do the same thing.”

To do so, the Shock will have to protect quarterback Andrico Hines from the Blitz pass rush, Shackleford said.

“They’ve got a great pass rush, but we’ve got some things that will hopefully slow that down,” Shackleford said. “We’re going to rely heavily on our offensive line to come through for us – Andrico needs to continue to play well, stay healthy and make the right decisions.”

The Blitz, coming off a bye last week, will be led by new starting quarterback Chad Elliot, who connected on 31 of 39 passes and threw nine touchdowns in Bakersfield’s 66-61 loss to Everett two weeks ago.

The Shock will be without defensive back Nygel Rogers, who injured his knee in last week’s game against Everett, and Ben Brown, whose wife delivered their baby earlier this week. James Todd will start in place of Rogers and veteran lineman Katon Bethay will fill in at fullback for Brown.

Raul Vijil, Antwone Savage, Dickens and Anthony Brown will lead the Shock receiving core.