May 1^st 2010: It was a game that Spokane Shock Head Coach Rob Keefe won’t soon forget.  At the time, Spokane was 2-1 while the visiting Cleveland Gladiators were still searching for their first win of the season.

In a game that saw eight lead changes, Spokane took a 68-65 lead with 8.2 seconds left. On the ensuing kickoff, Gladiators KR Brent Holmes zigged and zagged his way down the field for a 56-yard touchdown that gave Cleveland its first win of the season, 72-68.

In preparation for this Saturday night’s rematch against the Gladiators, Keefe has made sure that his players haven’t forgotten that game either. During Spokane’s Monday morning film session, Keefe and his coaching staff showed highlights of the game to remind the team of the heartbreak they all felt that night.

”We are a different team now. The fact that we lost allowed us to look at all the little mistakes; it allowed the coaches to work a little bit harder and it allowed the players to see what makes you lose games,” Keefe explained. “Since that time, we have gotten better at every facet of the game. Frankly, that (loss) was nine games ago and we are definitely not the same team because we have rattled off eight wins since then.”

Cleveland is not the same team either, winning five out of their last nine games. But with only three games left on their schedule, the Gladiators are fighting for their playoffs lives.

“If they don’t win this game, they are out of the playoffs,” Keefe explained. “I think Cleveland is going to bring out all the stops—double passes, reverses, on-side kicks—but our players are going to be prepared for all of it.”

In last week’s 77-70 overtime win against the Orlando Predators, Gladiators QB John Dutton posted season-high numbers in passing yards (411) and passing touchdowns (10). Dutton leads the league in passing yards (4,270) and has added 84 touchdowns (third in the league) with 16 interceptions.  In its first matchup against Cleveland, Spokane’s defensive front did not register a sack, but it has recorded 18 this season (third in the league).

In last week’s 37-36 win over Arizona, Spokane’s defensive backs limited the league’s leading receiver, Rod Windsor, to just 92 yards receiving. This week, the Shock will have to contain the league’s second-leading receiver, Ben Nelson who has 145 receptions already this season.  Additionally, Nelson has caught a league-leading 45 touchdowns. Nelson is joined by AFL-vet Chris Johnson who is second on the team in receptions (105) and has added 14 touchdowns. In the first matchup against the Shock, Nelson and Johnson combined for 16 receptions, including four touchdowns.

Spokane will counter with a high-powered offense of its own that is averaging 63.8 points per game (2^nd in the league), led by QB Kyle Rowley. Rowley has already accounted for 81 touchdowns (76 passing, 5 rushing) while completing 65% of his passes.

Cleveland’s defense will try to put pressure on Rowley with a defensive line that has recorded 15 sacks, including 5.5 from Anthony Hoke. In the first matchup, Hoke and DL Lance Witherspoon were each credited with ½ a sack against Rowley.

Rowley’s receiving corps is highlighted by Huey Whittaker who joined the Century Club last weekend and has now recorded 105 receptions for 1,152 yards and 24 touchdowns. Whittaker will be joined by newcomer Emery Sammons who has come on strong in his first three games in a Shock uniform. During that span, Sammons has recorded 13 receptions for 188 yards and one touchdown.

“If we win this football game we lock up a playoff spot. If they win this football game they keep their playoff hopes alive,” Keefe explained. “I think that is enough motivation for both teams.”

Hopefully, for Shock fans, the rematch with the Gladiators this Saturday will be a game to remember rather than to forget.