Shock focused on unknown Lightning

Spokane Shock coach Adam Shackleford has no idea what to expect from the Stockton Lightning, but he can take comfort in having a good feel for his own team.

The second-ranked and West Division-leading Shock (8-0) have ample reason to overlook the last-place Lightning (2-7), who earlier this week changed coaches and possibly quarterbacks, let alone the numerous changes they’ve undergone since losing to Spokane 70-12 at the Spokane Arena in early April.

The arenafootball2 rematch is tonight at 8 at the Arena and Shackleford has taken a control-what-we-can approach instead of fretting over what he might see from the Lightning.

“These are the games that make a head coach nervous because there are so many things that are unknown,” Shackleford said. “What we talked about with our guys is that it doesn’t matter what they do or who they play. We have to take care of our assignments and be willing to understand they might do some things that we didn’t practice.

“We’ve made adjustments all year. We’ve had to deal with a lot of teams changing strategy and trying to confuse us. We expect our guys to be prepared and they’ve done a good job adjusting when we’ve needed to.”

Lightning coach Doug Murray was fired Tuesday and replaced by interim coach Chad Carlson. Stockton also signed quarterback Andy Collins, who was at Eastern Washington University briefly in 2003, late in the week. Kenton Evans and Jonathan Grant saw time at quarterback in Stockton’s 44-21 loss to Tri-Cities last week. Grant has been released. Chad Elliott, who started against Spokane but suffered a concussion in the first half, started two weeks ago, but missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury.

Shackleford expects to see Collins and Evans.

The Shock hold a three-game lead in the division over Boise, next week’s opponent, but they insist they’re not looking past Stockton.

“They’re a brand new team,” defensive back Sergio Gilliam said. “They’re looking forward to not letting us do that (58-point win) to them again and we’re looking forward to getting that ninth win. It’s going to be an interesting game.”

Notes

Shackleford said standout receiver Raul Vijil will be a game-time decision, but it’s likely Vijil, battling numerous injuries, will sit out. … Former Washington State Cougar and Detroit Lion Mike Utley will attend the game. He’ll address the Shock before the game and participate in the pre-game coin flip. … The Lightning recently added former Montana and AFL standout Etu Molden. He played against Tri-Cities, but he’s not expected to play tonight.