Shock take aim at division title

The Spokane Shock (13-1) can clinch the af2’s Western Division title with a victory over the Central Valley Coyotes (3-11) in Fresno tonight. Game time is 7:30.

It would appear that the Coyotes are overmatched. They are starting their sixth quarterback of the season, Jimmy Collins, who was picked up earlier this week.

Collins, who played college football at Portland State, has had a curious year.

Collins started the season with the Tri-Cities Fever before being released after four games.

He was then picked up by the Stockton Lightning. In his only appearance with the Lightning, he played briefly in their victory over the Coyotes last week.

Now he’s a Coyote.

Despite the huge odds the Coyotes face against the No. 1-ranked Shock, they did hold Spokane to its lowest point total of the season in the teams’ other meeting this season, a 43-22 Shock victory at the Arena on May 23.

“I think we made a lot of offensive mistakes the first time we played them, and hopefully we won’t make those again,” Shock head coach Adam Shackleford (shown above) said in a team release. “They play sound defense. They certainly have a lot of weapons on offense – especially their receivers – but I think their defense definitely gets overlooked.”

CV has talented receivers in Lamonte Jones (122 receptions, 1,273 yards, 25 TDs) and John Roberson (103, 1,238, 26).

While the CV receivers will team up with a new quarterback, the Shock will be led again by Nick Davila, who has thrown for 74 TDs and is the league’s most efficient passer with a 69.4 percent completion rate against only seven interceptions.

Raul Vijil leads the Shock receivers with 112 catches for 1,337 yards and 33 touchdowns.

On defense, DB Sergio Gilliam ranks second in the league with 12 interceptions.

“We want to win the division – it’s one of our goals this year,” Shackleford said.

The Shock, who have clinched a playoff spot, finish the regular season at Boise next Saturday.