 | Spokane takes center stage in front of a national television audience as the Shock host the Rush. As of Thursday morning, tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest. |
The Rush are coming into Friday night’s game looking for redemption after the Dallas Vigilantes (2-12) upset them at home last week, 65-52. The loss, coupled with Spokane’s win, helped secure home field advantage for the Shock through the first two rounds of the playoffs. A win tonight against the Rush would secure home field advantage for the Shock throughout the playoffs, including the ArenaBowl Championship.
“I really want to show the nation what we have here in Spokane – it’s something special,” Head Coach Rob Keefe explained. “Our train has been gathering steam, and we don’t want to have a pit-stop (against Chicago) because it’s hard to get going again, both mentally and physically.”
If Spokane’s train is going to continue to gain steam, it will need the offense to play well against one of the best defenses in the league. While Spokane’s offense is averaging 62.6 points per contest, second in the league, Chicago’s defense is giving up an average of only 54.1 points per game, fourth in the league.
Much of Chicago’s success is a credit to its aggressive defensive approach. The Rush’s defensive line has accounted for 19 sacks, fourth in the league, including 6.5 from DL Joe Peters. Chicago’s secondary – which includes former Spokane Shock DBs Nygel Rogers and Chris Martin – has accounted for 26 interceptions this season, the highest total in the league.
On the offensive side of the ball, Chicago will rely on QB JJ Raterink. Raterink, who spent time in the Shock’s training camp in 2006, is expected to replace starting QB Russ Michna, who was placed on the Injured Reserve List earlier this week. In only three games this season, Raterink has completed eight touchdown passes with only one interception. He also completed 67% of his passes for 473 yards. Spokane plans to apply heavy pressure on Raterink from its defensive line, which has racked up 20 sacks this season, third in the league.
While Michna was placed on the IR list earlier this week, Rush WR Nichiren Flowers was activated from IR. Flowers is expected to start and should add a boost to Chicago’s injury-riddled receiving corps. Before being placed on IR, Flowers accounted for 53 receptions – including 15 touchdowns – in only eight games.
Flowers and the rest of Chicago’s receivers will be challenged by a Shock secondary that has accounted for twelve interceptions, including six from DB Travis Williams.
Spokane will counter Chicago’s aggressive defense with an offense that is led by QB Kyle Rowley. Rowley, who was named Offensive Player of the Week last week, has completed 89 touchdown passes (a single-season club record) with only nine interceptions this season. Rowley’s receiving corps has also been riddled with injuries this season but has managed to continue its success thanks in large part to Huey Whittaker. Whittaker leads the team in receptions (127 – third in the league), 32 of which have gone for touchdowns. Whittaker will be joined by the recently activated Markee White, newcomer Greg Orton, and Shaun Kauleinamoku.
As Spokane steps onto the AFL’s largest stage for an encore, Keefe hopes the Ninth Man will be a deciding factor.
“Our fans have to really bring it,” Keefe explained. “It’s up to our fans to take pride in their city and their team. I really think that this is going to be an unbelievable venue for the NFL Network to see and for the nation to see what Spokane, Washington is all about.”
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