Shock notebook: There’s no lack of motivation

Their first loss of the season is behind them, and Spokane Shock coach Adam Shackleford is making sure his team is looking forward.

Shaking off Saturday’s 57-55 loss to South Georgia shouldn’t be too tough, considering the Shock have a chance to clinch their third consecutive af2 Western Division title when they host the Central Valley Coyotes this Saturday at the Arena.

“We put it behind us, it’s not a big deal,” Shackleford said. “We never want to lose a football game, but it doesn’t change any of our goals – we still have a chance to win the division this week and a chance to win the ArenaCup. Nothing has changed.

“If we learned (from the loss), then that’s what we need to take from it.”

In their last meeting with Central Valley (7-4) – which is second in the Western Division standings – the Shock were on the other side of a game that was decided by two points.

Spokane led 42-34 late in the fourth quarter in the April 26 contest when Shock quarterback Jason Murrietta was picked off by CV’s Maurice Holmes.

With 7 seconds remaining in the game Central Valley quarterback Joe Ayoob connected a 24-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jomo Wilson on the first play of the drive to bring the Coyotes within two points. Central Valley went for the two-point conversion to tie the game, but Ayoob’s pass was broken up by Shock defensive back Sergio Gilliam.

“It’s a big game this week against another good team,” Shackleford said. “We pulled one out down there last time. I don’t think there’s any extra motivation necessary when the first- and second-place teams (in the division) meet. That’s why these guys work so hard, to get the opportunity to play these kinds of games.”

Shock second in poll

The Spokane Shock dropped one spot in the arenafootball2 coaches poll, losing the top ranking they held for two weeks to the defending ArenaCup champion Tulsa Talons (11-1).

Extra points

Shock defensive back Sergio Gilliam is one interception shy of tying the af2 single-season record, set by Tennessee Valley’s Kelly Snell in 2002. Gilliam leads the league with 14 interceptions. … Shock wide receiver Raul Vijil is tied for third in the league in scoring with Bossier-Shreveport’s Chavis McCollister. Vijil and McCollister average 18 points a game. Both players have scored a league-high 33 touchdowns in 11 games played. … Shock quarterback Nick Davila ranks second in the league in pass completion percentage (68.3) and pass efficiency (120.4).