It could be another banner day for Shock
Three seasons in the arenafootball2 league, three division banners.
That’s what the Spokane Shock can boast if they beat the Central Valley Coyotes today at the Arena.
“I think that says a lot about the organization and the way it’s run,” said Shock coach Adam Shackleford. “To have the opportunity to win our third is special and I think it’s important for this team. They’ve accomplished so much and to hang a banner in the arena and lay stake to that, that’s been our first goal all year.”
A victory would not only clinch the Western Division crown for the second-ranked Shock (11-1), it would assure them home-field advantage for at least the first two rounds of the af2 playoffs (assuming they win in the first round).
Spokane has won all five meetings between the franchises, including a 42-40 victory over the Coyotes earlier this season. Central Valley’s roster has changed since then, though.
The Coyotes recently brought back quarterback Clay Groefsema, who started for Central Valley (7-4) last season. Groefsema has started and led CV to victory in the last three games of their four-game winning streak.
“I think they were struggling a little bit offensively and (Groefsema) has given them a spark,” said Shackleford. “He’s a good quarterback. He’s very dangerous.”
Groefsema has completed 59.8 percent of his passes, thrown 12 touchdowns and ran for four since taking over at quarterback.
His top three targets are receivers Nichir Flowers, Tonae Martin and Jason Barnes.
Flowers averages 86.4 receiving yards per game and has caught 18 touchdown passes. Martin, who is fifth in the league in scoring, averages about 70 yards per game. He has 20 TD catches and has run for six more. Barnes has scored 13 touchdowns – 10 receiving and three rushing.
“They do such a good job of using everybody – all three receivers, their fullback gets involved, their tight end gets involved, and we have to be prepared for those things they are capable of throwing at us,” said Shackleford. “We can’t just be prepared for what we’ve seen on film, we have to be prepared for all of the possibilities.”
Extra points
Wide receiver Etu Molden, whom the Shock claimed earlier this week, will not play in today’s game. Shackleford expects Molden, a former AFL standout with the Chicago Rush, will crack the lineup after next week’s bye. … Defensive back Tremaine Tyler, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the Shock’s May 17th game against the Tri-Cities Fever, will be a game-time decision.