Shock provide huge test

The Spokane Shock have been the best team in the af2 all season long. And it is no doubt as to why. Spokane (17-1) has the league's second best offense and the seventh best defense. At just under 60 points per game, the Shock have routinely put up huge offensive numbers. Also with a defense giving up less than 45 points a contest, it's hard to argue who the best is.
Tennessee Valley counters with the eighth best offense and fifth best defense. Throughout the playoffs, however, the Vipers average giving up only 32 points per game, including contests against the regular season's best offense in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Florida.
In a game where strength meets strength, you have to wonder what will give. Will it be the 68 point offense of Spokane or the, "bend, but don't break" defense of Tennessee Valley.
Monday night will answer these questions.
Arena Cup 9, featuring the Shock and Vipers will be played at Spokane Arena at 7 p.m. PDT, 9 p.m. CDT and will be broadcast free on the internet by NiftyTV.
Spokane's high powered offense is led by quarterback Nick Davila. Davila, in the playoffs has been a force. He has completed 62 percent of his passes and 16 touchdowns to just one lone interception.
His favorite targets are Raul Vijil and Andy Olsen. The two both have five touchdown catches this post seasonm with only one total catch separating the two. Patrick Bugg has been a stellar third receiver, hauling in ten catches and four scores.
The defense is led by af2 Rookie of the Year, Sergio Gilliam. Gilliam has recorded 6.5 tackles and an astounding four interceptions in just three games. The defensive line, however has only garnered three sacks, but the offensive line has only given up three as well.
Considering the pride Tennessee Valley takes in it's pass rush, this should be where the game is decided. The Vipers have totaled 14 sacks in three games, including seven against Florida in the opening round.
Linemen Eric Scott and Terrance Ford lead the way with 4.0 and 4.5 respectively, but anyone can get to the quarterback on this defense.
Defense has been the saving grace for Tennessee Valley this post season. Giving up only 32 points per game and coming up with big stops to propel the offense, which has sputtered at times, yet other times looked like a well-oiled machine.
In the first quarter of last week's contest, Kevin Eakin and Alonzo Nix hooked up three times for touchdowns. But Eakin threw two interceptions as well during the game.
But a statistic that really jumps out is red zone scoring. The Vipers have scored every time they have been inside the opponents' 10 yard line. Only once have the Vipers not reached the end zone and settled for a field goal. Tennessee Valley's defense has held opponents to less than 50% inside the red zone.
Both teams have strengths that match the others strengths. What gives will not be known until Monday night when Arena Cup 9 kicks off.