Stockton took stock
Shock left impression during two wins this year
Spokane hasn’t seen Stockton in roughly seven weeks, but two Shock players probably left a lasting impression on the Lightning.
The Shock’s first and fourth wins this season came against Stockton. Shock quarterback Nick Davila had 13 touchdown passes – 11 to Raul Vijil – in the two victories. Spokane beat Stockton 59-42 in the season opener and 70-51 in late April.
The arenafootball2 teams collide tonight at Stockton Arena with the No. 1-ranked Shock (9-0) coming off a bye week and the Lightning (4-6) winners of three of their last four. Technically, this will be the second time Spokane has faced Stockton after a bye because the Shock were idle the first week of the season.
Spokane is 6-2 after bye weeks, the two losses coming at home to Bakersfield in 2006 and 2007.
“It was a great time to have a week off,” defensive back Sergio Gilliam said. “Now we have to come back and do what we always do – take it a day at a time and a game at a time and come away with a win.”
Head coach Adam Shackleford is pleased with the team’s 9-0 start, but not wholly satisfied.
“Before the Central Valley game (on May 23) I was concerned, but we got down 9-0 and there was no panic, and there was another spot in the Florida game where we could have given up and chalked it up to a long road trip,” Shackleford said. “We’re hoping teams will come out and punch us in the mouth. With our remaining schedule, we know they’re going to do that.
“Stockton isn’t going to lay down for us. They’re a playoff team at this point if they continue to win.”
Shackleford pointed toward ball security as an area in need of improvement.
“We’re plus-16 in turnovers, leading the league, but we have eight fumbles in nine games. We put the ball on the ground twice against Tri-Cities and lost both,” he said. “That absolutely cannot happen. Our quarterback is taking care of the ball.
“Our defense is leading the league in points allowed (37.9) and fourth-down conversions (4 of 24). Those things mean we’re getting the ball back, we’re covering people and getting great pass rush.”
Spokane’s pass rush triggered a turnaround in the last meeting with Stockton. Lightning quarterback Andy Collins injured his knee on a tackle by Justin Warren in the first quarter. Collins has been on injured reserve and is not expected to play tonight. Spokane scored 35 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 70-51 win.
Backup Chad Cavender has played well, particularly the last couple of games, but there is a chance Collins could be activated for tonight’s game.
Stockton added former Central Valley receiver Tonae Martin (81 catches, 29 touchdowns in 2008) to its roster this week.
Spokane will be without starting linebacker Lee Foliaki, who is in Texas dealing with a family emergency.
Warren will move from defensive end to linebacker to replace Foliaki. Jeff Van Orsow slides down the line to fill Warren’s spot and Frank Morton will handle nose guard.