Shock Efficient in 68-62 Win over Barnstormers

by Brad Wall
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Shock scored in all but one of their drives on their way to a 68-62 win over the Barnstormers Friday night.
Spokane stopped Iowa on fourth down on the opening drive and took the ball down the field for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
The teams exchange touchdowns back and forth the next four drives with Jesse Schmidt scoring on a 29-yarder for Iowa, Brandon Thompkins scoring on a 13-yard pass from Kyle Rowley, Schmidt answering back with a 13-yard score of his own and Thompkins scoring on a one yard run.
Iowa scored with a J.J. Raterink pass to Collin Taylor for 14-yards, putting Iowa ahead 20-17.
Spokane stormed to a lead as they scored three straight touchdowns. The first came on a 4-yard touchdown catch by Adron Tennell. Paul Stephens intercepted Raterink on the next drive and Rowley hit Tennell again on a 13-yard score with five seconds left in the half. Thompkins caught a six-yard touchdown on the Shock's opening drive to give Spokane a 38-20 lead.
Schmidt scored on a 32-yarder and 34-yarder in response. In between the two scores was a Kenny Spencer 31-yard field goal.
On the ensuing kickoff to Schmidt's 34-yard score, Stephens weaved around Iowa defenders and took it to the house for a 46-yard touchdown return.
Iowa followed up with a 1-yard touchdown run and Spokane scored a 1-yarder as well to make the score 55-41.
The Barnstormers turned the ball over on downs on the next drive, but got the ball back quickly as Jason Simpson intercepted Rowley, marking the first time in the game the Shock didn't score on a drive.
Schmidt scored again on a 16-yard pass to put Iowa back within seven. Spokane recovered the onside kick and scored two plays later on an eight-yard pass to Tennell.
With less than a minute left in the game, Raterink hit Marco Thomas for a long 44-yard touchdown. The Shock recovered the ensuing onside kick and Thompkins scored on a 10-yard pass from Rowley.
Iowa salvaged a touchdown as time expired with a toss from Raterink to Schmidt, the receiver's sixth touchdown on the night.
Rowley tossed for 239 yards, six touchdowns and an interception on the evening.
Tennell made 10 grabs for 100 yards and three scores. Thompkins added six receptions for 56 yards along with three receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
Spokane will head to Chicago to face the Rush in their next game scheduled for June 6th at 1:00 p.m.