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Head Coach Rob Keefe (above) plans on putting Spokane's best foot forward Friday night on the NFL Network. |
Coming into Friday night’s regular season finale, it seems that Spokane has nothing left to prove. With the best record in the league (13-2), the Shock wrapped up the Western Division Title weeks ago and with last week’s 63-49 win over Chicago, Spokane also clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But if you ask Head Coach Rob Keefe, his team hasn’t accomplished anything, yet.
Steve Prefontaine once said “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”; it’s a philosophy that Keefe wholeheartedly endorses. Keefe expects his team to give nothing but their best, despite the fact that the results of tonight’s game are inconsequential to Spokane’s playoff fate.
“This is not a game that you can take your foot off the gas pedal. We’re going to be on the NFL Network and we want to be recognized as the best team in the AFL, on national television” Keefe explained. “It’s important to keep our momentum and we don’t want this train to stop. We want to go as hard as we can. Nobody wants to lose going into the playoffs.”
Jacksonville has the best record in the American Conference at 11-4, and a win tonight would not only secure the top seed, it would also give the Sharks home-field advantage through the first two rounds of the postseason. With a loss, Jacksonville could slip to the third seed in the American Conference.
“We are expecting a great game,” Keefe explained. “I think it’s going to be loud and it’s going to be rowdy. A game like this, with that kind of atmosphere, is preparing us for the road to the Championship.”
In the first matchup this season, the Shock came away with a 67-57 victory over the Sharks. Spokane’s defense came up with a critical stop on Jacksonville’s first drive in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference. DB Alex Teems forced a fumble that DL Ben McCombs recovered, putting the Shock offense back in business. QB Kyle Rowley capitalized on Jacksonville’s mistake with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Raul Vijil that put the game out of reach for the Sharks.
Since that time, Jacksonville has won five of their last seven games, including a 48-20 win over Bossier-Shreveport last week. For their last two games, the Sharks have been without QB Aaron Garcia who was injured against Tampa Bay. Backup QB Bernard Morris picked things up right where Garcia left them completing 65% of his passes (40/65) for 427 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Additionally, the athletic Morris has added two rushing touchdowns over the last two games.
“I think he is the kind of athlete that can be good at any sport,” Keefe explained. “He brings more of a ground game (to their offense) so, to be honest, we have to make sure that he doesn’t run all over us.”
Despite his injury, Garcia was never placed on IR and is expected to suit up Friday night. Whichever quarterback is taking snaps under center Friday night will be surrounded by a talented corps of receivers. Earlier this week the Sharks activated from the IR-list WR Jeron Harvey, who recorded a team-leading three touchdowns in the last match-up. Harvey will be joined by WRs Dallas Baker, who leads the team with 82 receptions.
But points have been hard to come by against Spokane’s defense, which is giving up just 51.9 points a game, third lowest in the league. With 18 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles Spokane’s defense has also aided its powerful offense that is averaging 62.6 points/game.
QB Kyle Rowley has continued to make a strong case for Offensive Player of the Year with 4,198 passing yards 96 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Meanwhile, Rowley’s leading receiver Huey Whittaker has continued to make a strong case for his own AFL honors with a team-leading 133 receptions (third in the league) for 1,478 yards and 35 touchdowns. Fresh off of the IR-list, WR Markee White returned to the line-up two weeks ago and has recorded 14 receptions for 182 yards with two touchdowns. Rookie WRs Greg Orton and Shaun Kauleinamoku have also continued to assert themselves as offensive threats, combining for seven receptions, including two touchdowns last week.
Spokane’s powerful offense will have its hands full with Jacksonville’s defense that Keefe considers one of the best in the league. The Sharks’ defense gives up only 50.3 points a game, the second lowest total in the league. Up front, their defensive line has recorded 20 sacks while the secondary has recorded 11 interceptions.
Although the dawn of the postseason might be on the horizon, Keefe still has some unfinished regular-season business to attend to before the sun sets.
“We want to make sure that we finish the season 8-0 on the road and 14-2 during the regular season,” Keefe said. “Both of those would be great accomplishments heading into the playoffs.”
BROADCASTING
Radio: ESPN 700 The Ticket - coverage starts at 3:30, kickoff at 5 PM PST
TV: NFL Network - coverage starts at 5 PM PST
