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SPOKANE, Wash. -- The San Jose Sabercats (8-0) defeated the Spokane Shock (2-5), 83-28, at Spokane Veteran's Memorial Arena on Saturday May 16th, to remain undefeated on the season.
Getting his second consecutive start for San Jose, quarterback Nathan Stanley built on his success from last week's performance against the Las Vegas Outlaws, completing 14-of-22 passes for 212 yards and set a career-high with eight touchdowns (nine total), leading San Jose's offense to its highest point total of the season. San Jose's 83 points was the highest point total this season scored by an Arena Football League team and the first to eclipse 80 points in a game.
The SaberCats got on the board first, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Stanley to Darius Reynolds. On the ensuing drive, defensive back Ken Fontenette grabbed an interception from Spokane quarterback Warren Smith. Fontenette finished with six tackles, a fumble recovery on special teams and now leads the Arena Football League with six interceptions this season, after adding three against Spokane. Rich Ranglin made it 14-0 in the first quarter, after hauling in a 17-yard touchdown, his third of the season.
Spokane cut the San Jose lead to 14-7 with a seven-yard touchdown from Smith to receiver Anthony Amos. Amos finished with a team high nine receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The SaberCats answered in the beginning of the second quarter, with a 3-yard touchdown from Reynolds to make it a 21-7 lead. Reynolds added a 37-yard touchdown reception off a screen play and finished with a team-high 85 yards on four receptions and four total touchdowns (three receiving).
The Shock's leading receiver this season, Mike Washington added to his touchdown total, with a leaping 6-yard touchdown reception, crashing into the end zone boards to cut the SaberCats' lead to 21-14, prior to the end of the first quarter. Washington finished with eight receptions for 74 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the 21-14 mark was the closest Spokane got within of San Jose.
With a big hit from David Hyland on Shock receiver Rashaad Carter, Ken Fontenette grabbed the deflection and returned the interception for a touchdown to extend the SaberCats lead to 42-21 in the second quarter.
The SaberCats held a commanding, 49-21 lead at halftime, after Stanley scrambled right and ran in a 3-yard touchdown with under a minute left tin the half. Whether it was through the air, or on the ground, Stanley had a career night.
After spending four seasons with the Shock, SaberCats' receiver Adron Tennell returned to Spokane and had a tremendous impact. Tennell finished with six receptions for 74 yards and hauled in three touchdowns.
Also starting his second straight game, Spokane quarterback Warren Smith did not have the same success he had last week against the Los Angeles KISS. Smith threw for 206 yards and four touchdowns, but was picked off four times.
After trailing 76-28 with seven minutes remaining, the Shock turned to Chase Coffman at quarterback. Coffman was unable to rally Spokane against the dominant SaberCats' defense, completing only 1-of-8 passes for five yards to end the game.
The SaberCats outscored the Shock 34-7 in the second half to sustain their lead and secure the win.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SJS QB Nathan Stanley
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: SJS DB Ken Fontenette
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds
Cutters Catch of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds 25-yard TD reception to open second half (Q3)
AFL Highlight of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds screen pass that he takes 37-yards for a TD (Q2)
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