Shock embrace warm, homey feeling

Nineteen down, one to go.

The Spokane Shock (18-1) took the field Wednesday for their first practice of the week and began on-field preparations for their final game of the franchise’s third season in the arenafootball2 league – the ArenaCup championship game against the American Conference champion Tennessee Valley Vipers (13-6).

In 2006, the Shock had to journey to Puerto Rico to claim the af2 trophy. This season the league returned the playoff format to award the highest remaining seed the right to host the championship game.

“It’s awesome – something that I’ve never been a part of,” rookie receiver Andy Olson said. “I’ve never even been in playoffs with any of the football teams I’ve played on before this year.

“How can you have a bad time when you’re winning so many games?”

It’s tough to argue with that – and how can the Shock not be having fun knowing that they are going to be playing for their second league championship in three seasons in front of a home crowd?

“I’ve traveled a lot of places playing for this team now,” three-year veteran center Rico Ochoa said. “There is no place like playing in Spokane – not even just because it’s our home crowd. I mean, we’re definitely proud of playing for them and looking forward to that and all, but it gets so loud in there and so crazy that no place compares to the kind of atmosphere we’ve got here.

“This is our house and it’s going to be rockin’ come Monday night.”

Ochoa all but guaranteed the Shock will be rocking too.

“I’m going to will us to win this game,” Ochoa said. “Because (Tennessee Valley) can say what they want to about their (defensive) line and their whatever – you know what I’m saying? They’re great – I’ve seen them on film, I’ve got respect for them, they’re good athletes – but they haven’t seen an offensive line like ours.

“We’ve been winning and winning and winning, all season long. This week isn’t going to be any different.”

Rogers loses brother

Defensive back Nygel Rogers didn’t have much time to celebrate the Shock’s National Conference championship victory Saturday night.

After the game, Rogers received a phone call from his grandmother informing him that his 36-year-old brother died of a heart attack on Saturday evening.

Rogers, a two-year Shock veteran, flew home to South Carolina early this week for today’s funeral and will return Friday. Shock coach Adam Shackleford said Rogers will definitely play in Monday’s ArenaCup championship game. No other details were available.

Vipers, Shock reap awards

The league’s weekly award winners were all either players from Tennessee Valley’s and Spokane’s rosters.

Vipers wide receiver and defensive back Travis Blanchard was selected as Ironman of the Week, teammate Alonzo Nix (WR) was picked as the Offensive Player of the Week and Shock linebacker Lee Foliaki was named the Defensive Player of the Week.

Spokane wide receiver Patrick Bugg earned the Catch of the Week award.

Bugg’s catch was a diving, 26-yard touchdown grab late in the first quarter of Spokane’s 79-49 victory over Amarillo on Saturday in the National Conference title game.

Extra points

As of today, a deal has not been worked out to air Monday night’s championship game, but the Shock owners are working on getting the game televised. … Shackleford said that other than a few bumps and bruises, the players are all healthy for Monday’s game.