Anaheim, CA-It was the first ever match-up of Arena Football on ESPN2, the viewers saw the LA KISS(2-5) get shocked by the Spokane Shock (5-2) 70-21. The lights were bright but the spotlight only shined on one team tonight. It was never close after the Shock jumped to an early 28-0 lead before the KISS respond.
When the two teams went to halftime, the Shock were leading 42 – 14, with the chance to have the game in hand with few defensive stops in the second half. Shock quarterback Erik Meyer threw for two touchdowns before leaving the game due to shoulder injury in the third quarter. Before Meyer left the game, wide receiver Adron Tennell (17) was his favorite target.
Tennell finished the game with three touchdowns. Meyer going down was not the best news for the Shock, who just earlier this week placed their backup-quarterback Jarrett Brown-on injured reserve due to not being 100 percent healthy. So they inserted Rashaad Carter into the lineup, a wide receiver on the depth chart, who played some quarterback in college at Tusculum (Div. II) in Greenville, Tn.
It worked out well for the Shock. Carter scored the last four touchdowns of the game.
Meanwhile, frustrations have continued to rise on the KISS’ sideline. That shows you there is still more fight left in this team and that they won’t let a few losses hold them down. There have been a few player changes for the team, so it shows the coaching staff is looking to fix the personnel issues. Now it will be up to the players and preparation to put a full game together to get that next win.
One of those new players is return man AJ Cruz (23), who took a ran a missed field goal back for a 58-yard touchdown return.
The KISS had lost it focus in this game and never really found its way; the offense was just little out of sync which lead to the defense being on the field a lot. The defense look stunned that they had to come back on the field so quick. So a few times the Shock struck quick and kept them off balance. It’s always easy to play relaxed and gamble when you have a comfortable lead. Before the game was done the Spokane Shock had completed seven red-zone scores.
Next up for the LA KISS is to travel to the undefeated Cleveland Gladiators (6-0) on May 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Jevone Moore a writer, photographer by trade and a coach in life at heart. Former UCLA Bruin football player during the good years, City Champs 92-95.