The Spokane Shock defeated the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings 78-70 in front of 10, 378 fans on Spokane Tribe Field Saturday night. Coming into tonight's game, the BattleWings were undefeated thanks in large part to AFL-veteran QB Raymond Philyaw and rookie sensation WR PJ Berry. But Spokane's defense limited Berry to just four receptions - including two touchdowns - for 57 yards (his fewest of the season); while Philyaw completed just 22 (his fewest of the season) of his 36 pass attempts. Spokane's tight coverage on Berry forced Philyaw to find other receivers including WR Randy Hymes. Coming into tonight's game, Hymes had only two catches for 39 yards. But tonight, Hymes led the BattleWings in receptions (9), receiving yards (174) and touchdown receptions (5). Despite Hymes' success, Spokane's defense still came up with several big plays including a safety, a fumble recovery and an interception. DL Ben McCombs set the tone early in the game, slamming Philyaw into the ground for a safety to give the Shock a 9-6 lead. Later in the second quarter, the BattleWings defense came up with a big play of their own when former Shock DB Roshawn Marshall intercepted a tipped pass that he returned to Spokane's seven-yard line. This interception set up a 14-yard touchdown pass to Berry, his first catch of the game, and gave them a 26-23 lead. But Spokane's offense quickly regained the lead on the following possession, 30-26, thanks to QB Kyle Rowley's one-yard TD rush. Both high-powered offenses continued to exchange touchdowns until Spokane's defense came up with two consecutive turnovers to start the fourth quarter. The first turnover was caused when DL Jerry Turner stripped Philyaw for a fumble that was recovered by LB Kevin McCullough. McCullough's recovery set up a six-yard touchdown reception by WR Markee White. On the BattleWings ensuing possession, DB Roderick Mosley came up with an interception, his first of the season, for the Shock's second straight touchdown and helped them pull away from the BattleWings. Rowley ended the night nine touchdowns (eight passing, and one rushing) completing over 75-percent of his passes (28/37) for 316 yards. White led the team in receptions (9) and WR Raul Vijil led the team in receiving yards (103). WR Huey Whittaker and White tied for the team led in touchdown receptions (3). Attendance: 10, 378 JLS Ironman of the Game: B/S - WR/LB Randy Hymes Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SPO - WR Markee White Spalding Highlight of the Game: SPO - DL Ben McCombs sack for a safety Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: DL Ben McCombs Nifty Playmaker of the Game: SPO - WR Huey Whittaker Cutter's Catch of the Game: B/S - WR/LB Randy Hymes two point conversion.
