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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Shock (10-7) outlasted the Tampa Bay Storm (8-9) by a score of 55-52 in front of 9,479 fans in “Deaf Valley” and a national audience on ESPN2. Spokane has now won three consecutive games while Tampa Bay has dropped three straight and faces a must-win game next week versus the Cleveland Gladiators to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Storm started the game off sharp, scoring on their first two drives and controlling much of the game; however, a Terrance Sanders interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter turned the tide in favor of the Shock. Sanders also returned a kickoff 57 yards for another score in the game. Reigning AFL MVP Erik Meyer tossed five touchdowns and rushed for another in the game for Spokane.
Storm receiver Joe Hills extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown reception to 34, the longest active streak in the AFL. Hills had two scores in the game. Defensive lineman Tommie Duhart collected the first sack of his career in the game, while rookie defensive back Randall Burden recorded an interception in the first game of his AFL career.
With the loss, the Storm have fallen out of the American Conference playoff picture. In order to move back into the No. 4 seed and clinch a second consecutive playoff berth, the Storm need a win and a Philadelphia Soul loss in Week 20. Spokane has already clinched the No. 3 seed in the National Conference and will meet the San Jose Sabercats in the AFL Quarterfinals.
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