Shock host co-leader

With five teams deadlocked in the Western Division title race, how important is tonight’s af2 game between the Spokane Shock and Central Valley?

“It’s a huge game,” Shock coach Adam Shackleford said. “When you’re in a tight race like this, every game is important.”

The Shock (4-3) host the Coyotes (4-3) at the Arena in the first meeting between the teams this season with a share of first place on the line. The Boise Burn, Bakersfield Blitz and Tri-Cities Fever also are 4-3.

The Shock turned in their best performance of the season last week in beating Boise, and Shackleford said:

“We’re trying to build and continue on what we accomplished last week. … It was the first game where we came through healthy. No one got injured, and when Antwone (Savage) is healthy and our other guys are playing well we’re able to move the football around and score points.”

The Shock secondary will face strong Central Valley receivers, including Jason Barnes, who leads the league with 22 touchdowns. Barnes led the Coyotes to victory last week against Stockton with 10 receptions for 149 yards and four TDs. Throwing to Barnes will be quarterback Clay Groefsema, who leads the league in total offense (281.4 yards per game).

Though the Shock are still missing some key players because of injuries – including receivers Raul Vijil and Chico Mackey and defensive lineman Jerome Stevens – receivers Kelvin Dickens and Anthony Brown have stepped up at just the right time. Dickens led the team in receptions last week at Boise, hauling in two TD passes.

“Kelvin is a guy who waited his turn and now he has the opportunity and he is making the best of it,” Shackleford said. “He knew that we needed him to step up with all of the injuries and he’s done exactly that.”

Continuing to deliver for the Shock is Savage, who is second in the league in touchdowns (20) and third in all-purpose yards (195.9), and quarterback Andrico Hines, who connected on 28 of 33 passes against Boise and threw six TD passes.

The Shock defense will play without back Nygel Rogers, who is serving a one-game suspension for his involvement in an on-field fight last week at Boise.