The Spokane Shock came into 2013 with two things on their mind: return to the playoffs and contend for the division. The Shock accomplished both of these goals and put together the AFL's second-best record by going 14-4 in the regular season, and eventually reaching the conference championship.
Spokane's year got off to a great start by winning three straight games on the road. The Shock came home with all kinds of momentum and delighted their fans with a victory over the defending champs, 66-49 in week four. Spokane began the year 5-0, scored at least 66 points in each game, and looked like Arena Football's best team. The hot start cooled off two weeks later in Deaf Valley with a tough 70-62 loss to Tampa Bay. The hot start quickly cooled off after tough losses in Utah and a heartbreaking 83-82 slip up in the Valley against Orlando. All of a sudden Spokane was 5-3 and looked to be in a little rut.
Eventual League MVP, Erik Meyer regrouped the troops and righted the ship by leading Spokane to four straight wins to erase any doubt. Spokane's only loss in the second half of the season came in week thirteen when they traveled to Arizona and came up short in a 59-42 defeat. The Shock responded from the loss by capping off the regular season with five straight wins to head into the playoffs winning nine of ten games in the second half and a remarkable 14-4 record. Normally, fourteen wins would be good enough to earn you a division crown, but when you have the top team in the AFL sitting in your division, its only good enough for the top wild card spot. Spokane's fabulous 2013 season lived on with a 69-47 win in the conference semifinals over Chicago, that provided a great back-and-forth game for 57 minutes until Ruschard Dodd-Masters recorded a pair of interceptions and returned them both for touchdowns to secure the victory. Unfortunately for the faithful of the Valley, Spokane's run ended in a 65-57 defeat at the Snake Pit in the National Conference Championship. In the conference title game the Shock grabbed an early lead but a failed onside kick recovery and three dismal possessions in the third quarter dug too deep a hole, so deep that a quick 15 points in the final 90 seconds wasn't enough to save Spokane. Even though Spokane came as close as they did to reaching the Arena Bowl, the Shock had an amazing 2013 season. Erik Meyer easily established himself as an elite Arena quarterback, Adron Tennell cemented himself in the elite crop of receivers, and the defense has a great core in tact that features playmakers such as James Ruffin, Beau Bell, Terrance Sanders, and Paul Stephens. As long as Andy Olsen can keep this bunch together than the Shock should be at the top of the AFL for a while.
The Good from 2013:
- A home record of 7-2
- A road record of 7-2
- A pair of five-game win streaks and a four-game win streak
- The 66-49 win over Arizona in week four
- A season sweep of San Jose
- Returning to the playoffs and reaching the conference championship
- Erik Meyer winning AFL Offensive Player of the Year and AFL MVP
- Adron Tennell winning Wide Receiver of the Year
- Three first team All-Arena selections
PLAYER STATS
- Erik Meyer 403-591, 4667 yds, 112 TD, 11 Int; 120 rush yds, 15 TD (18 games)
- Arvell Nelson 16-20, 162 yds, 5 TD; 24 rush yds, 4 TD; 9 rec, 67 yds, 6 TD (17 games)
- Adron Tennell 156 rec, 1792 yds, 49 TD; 77 rush yds, 7 TD (18 games)
- Kamar Jorden 95 rec, 1087 yds, 26 TD (17 games)
- Brandon Thompkins 65 rec, 913 yds, 16 TD (11 games)
- Duane Brooks 35 rec, 316 yds, 6 TD (8 games)
- Terrance Sanders 101 tackles, 7 Int, FF, 2 Fumb Rec, 3 Def TD;96 kick-ret, 2265 yds, 6 TD (18 games)
- Paul Stephens 77.5 tackles, 12 Int, Fumb Rec, 4 Def TD (14 games)
- James Ruffin 22.5 tackles, 8 sacks, FF (17 games)
- Terence Moore 67 tackles, sack, 3 Int, 2 FF, 5 Fumb Rec, 4 Def TD (17 games)
- Beau Bell 70 tackles, 8.5 sacks, Int, 2 Fumb Rec, block (17 games)
- Terrence Taylor 7 sacks, Int, 7 FF, 3 Fumb Rec, 2 Def TD (17 games)
- Taylor Rowan 81-95 PAT, 1-2 FG (28) (10 games)
TEAM STATS
- Second scoring offense at 66.6 ppg
- Fifth pass offense at 264.4 ypg
- Seventh in total offense with 279.1 ypg
- Best in kick returns: 104 ret, 2335 yds (22.5 y/return), 8 TD
- Best pass efficiency with 123.8
- Second with a turnover margin of +32
- Fifth in opposing passer efficiency of 97.2
- Second 3rd down conversions at 55.4%
- Fourth with 33 sacks
- Allowed 2nd-fewest sacks with 14
- Second 4th down conversions, converting 17/29 attempts
- Best red zone offense, converting 89/99 attempts
The Bad from 2013:
- Following a 5-0 start with three straight losses
- An 83-82 loss vs. Orlando; even though this was one of the best games all season
PLAYER STATS
- Even injuries early in the season allowed Spokane to retool and improve their receiving core
- Small injuries also inspire the acquisition of Ruschard Dodd-Masters, who single-handedly sent Spokane to the conference championship
TEAM STATS
- Fourth-worst rush offense 14.7 ypg
- Last ranked pass defense 297.5 ypg
- Last in total defense 319.8 ypg
- Allowed most first downs 378
- Second-most penalized team 1071 yds, 59.5 ypg
- Second-worst red zone defense allowed 72/84
Final Take:
The Shock had a phenomenal 2013 season that landed many individual awards and accolades, along with a run to the conference championship. Erik Meyer earned League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, while his top target Adron Tennell earned Wide Receiver of the Year honors. The Shock also brought Brandon Thompkins back in the middle of the season and got a solid ten games from him and found a playmaker in Kamar Jorden, who had a breakout rookie season. Even though Spokane's defensive numbers didn't impress, the Shock won their games by winning the turnover battle and making impromptu plays. Terrance Sanders is the AFL's top return man and Paul Stephens made interceptions in bunches. The only thing missing from this season was a trip to, let alone a win in the Arena Bowl for Spokane.
2013 Finish: 15-5 (4-2 in West), Lost in Conference Championship
For more on the Spokane Shock:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/teams/aflshk/
http://www.spokaneshock.com/splash/
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-arena-football-season-kickoff-wild.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-afl-season-frist-quarter-anaylsis.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-afl-midway-report-west.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/07/afl-turning-into-home-stretch-west.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-semifinals-recap.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/08/afl-playoffs-conference-championship.html
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/stats/2013/CONFSTAT.HTM
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