Power Outlast Shock, 52-41

Brandon Freeman snags two interceptions in Pittsburgh's win over Spokane on Friday night.








May 10, 2014

Pittsburgh Power Press Release

SPOKANE, WA – The Pittsburgh Power (5-3) survived a trip to the West Coast taking down the Spokane Shock (5-3) tonight at the Veterans Memorial Arena, 52-41. The Power took advantage of mistakes made by Spokane’s rookie quarterback Donovan Porterie, who was in for the injured 2013 AFL MVP Erik Meyer, to win second-straight game.

Spokane’s defense came out strong forcing a turnover on downs on Pittsburgh’s first possession of the game. On his first career AFL pass, Porterie found former Power wideout Mike Washington in the end zone for a score to put the Shock on the boards first, 7-0.

Pittsburgh responded with a touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy Grady to receiver Tyrone Goard to tie the game at 7. It was then Pittsburgh’s turn to force a turnover on defense. The Power forced a fumble at the end of the first quarter that allowed them to regain possession and take the lead at the start of the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Grady to former Shock receiver, Hank Edwards.

On their next possession, Porterie regained composure and threw a bomb to wide receiver Adron Tennell to tie the game up at 14. The Shock stopped Pittsburgh again on downs and started to march toward the end zone looking to jump back ahead, but Power defensive back Sergio Gilliam knocked away a pass on fourth down that turned the ball back over to Pittsburgh.

Grady and Goard connected for another score late in the second quarter when the 6-foot-4 receiver held onto the ball after falling over the boards in the end zone, 21-14. The Power increased their lead heading into halftime after an interception by defensive back Brandon Freeman set up Pittsburgh kicker Julian Rauch for a 23-yard field goal to put Pittsburgh up 24-14.

Freeman gave Pittsburgh possession again immediately in the second half when he recorded his second interception of the game. Grady continued to put a show on, throwing two touchdowns to wide receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku in the third quarter. 

Spokane made it a one score game late in the fourth when defensive lineman James Ruffin returned an interception 20 yards for a score. However, touchdown passes to Goard, Rodney Wright and a League-leading 7th interception by Virgil Gray solidified a Power victory, 52-41.

Grady threw for 285 yards and seven touchdowns on 33-of-55 completed passes. Kauleinamoku led the Power receiving corps with 13 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.