Shock not looking past Tri-Cities

KENNEWICK – The Spokane Shock have no reason to apologize for defeating the Tri-Cities Fever 63-32 in an arenafootball2 exhibition game last month in Yakima. Or for last week’s 70-12 rout of Stockton, which toppled the Fever 46-32 on March 28 in the season opener for both teams.

But Shock head coach Adam Shackleford is cautioning his players not to fall in love with comparable scores heading into today’s 3 p.m. contest with the Fever at the Toyota Center.

“That was a big concern of mine and we dealt with it as coaches,” Shackleford said. “And then getting out (for practice), the rookies and the vets have said we have to stay focused. Just because we’re having success doesn’t mean a team is going to lay down for us. It’s been nice that our guys have dealt with it internally.”

Now the Shock have to deal with the Fever on the field.

“They’ve made some changes and they had a bye week (last week), so they’ll probably get a guy or two back that was banged up,” Shackleford said. “We’re stressing that in pro football on any given day, with nets and a ball that isn’t round and takes funny bounces, we have to worry about us and what we’re doing.”

The Shock have reason to worry about the Fever, who defeated Spokane at the Toyota Center last season. Tri-Cities (0-1) has also had more than two weeks to prepare for the second-ranked Shock (2-0). John Pierce started the opener for Tri-Cities, but was replaced by former Everett quarterback Jason Campbell. Their statistics were similar, but Shackleford expects Campbell at the controls today.

Campbell’s receiving targets include former Everett teammates Phil Goodman and Lamonte Jones, who had 11 catches for 132 yards against Stockton, and J.R. Thomas, who had 38 touchdown catches last season. Tri-Cities also has ex-Spokane and ex-Everett defensive lineman Chuck Jones, who blocked a PAT to preserve Spokane’s 41-40 win over Stockton in the franchise’s inaugural game in 2006.

“Goodman hurt us last year and J.R. has done some things against us, too,” Shock defensive coordinator Alex Sirianni said. “This is going to be one of the best receiver groups we’ll see all year.”

Sirianni has been pleased with Spokane’s approach.

“I’m not going to tell them not to be confident, but they need to prepare every week like it’s the best team we’re playing,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything after (Saturday’s) big win that makes me think it’s been any different this week.”

Spokane will be without defensive end Jason Jack (knee) for 3-4 weeks. Starting fullback Katon Bethay (knee) will be a game-time decision.