Pair of Playoff-Bound Teams Clash as Shock Host Rattlers on CBS Sports Network

July 11,2014




AFL Communications
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Shock (8-7) host the Arizona Rattlers (14-1) in a rematch of last year’s National Conference Championship Game this weekend in “NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday” action on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET with Ari Wolfe, Anthony Herron and Sherdrick Bonner on the call.
Both teams enter the contest well-rested, enjoying byes in Week 17. The Rattlers and Shock also come into the game with their playoff tickets punched and seedings solidified. Arizona once again holds the top seed in the National Conference and will host either the Portland Thunder (4-11) or LA KISS (3-12) in the First Round of the 2014 AFL Playoffs, while the three-seeded Shock will travel back out to San Jose for a First Round matchup with the 11-4 SaberCats.
This is the last of three regular season meetings between the two squads this season; however, it is the first game hosted by Spokane in the series since April 12, 2013, when the Shock defeated the Rattlers, 66-49, in “Deaf Valley”. It remains the only victory over the Rattlers during the Andy Olson era. Arizona has since won four straight against Spokane since then, including last year’s conference title game.
The Shock come into the game on a two-game winning streak since the return of reigning AFL MVP Erik Meyer to the starting lineup. Meyer completed 23-of-34 passes for 214 yards and six touchdowns against the LA KISS in Week 16. He also rushed for a score and recovered a fullback fumble for another in the game. Meyer did not play in the last matchup against Arizona due to injury, but managed 352 yards and six touchdowns against the Rattlers back in Week 2. He also threw a pair of interceptions in the game. Still without last year’s Cutters Wide Receiver of the Year, Adron Tennell, in the lineup, Meyer will rely on veterans Mike Washington and Nichiren Flowers, as well as rookie standout Rashaad Carter, to make big plays against a tough Arizona secondary.
Arizona quarterback Nick Davila will try to bounce back from a very tough game in Week 16. The “Latin Laser” finally proved he was human, completing just 36 percent of his passes for 114 yards and one score against San Jose two weeks ago. The future Arena Football Hall of Famer still leads the League with 105 touchdown passes and a 67.8 completion percentage on the season. Hoping to help Davila tack on a few more scoring strikes this week will be the trio of Maurice Purify, Tysson Poots and the AFL’s leader in touchdown receptions, Rod Windsor. With all three All-Arena caliber wideouts back at full strength, Arizona’s passing attack could be the most dangerous it has ever been.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rattlers have defined a “bend-but-don’t-break” defense, allowing an average of 298.1 yards per game this season, the second-highest total in the entire League. However, the Rattlers lead the League in turnover margin at plus-19 this year, averaging more than two takeaways per game. One of the key catalysts for that has been defensive back Marquis Floyd. With a League-high 11 interceptions on the season, Floyd has become a frontrunner for Riddell Defensive Player of the Year honors.
For Spokane, Jack linebacker Terence Moore is enjoying a career year, leading the team with 80 tackles and 12 takeaways to go along with five defensive touchdowns. Defensive end James Ruffin has also made a strong case for both Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors, collecting a franchise-record 12.5 sacks in 14 games this season.