Game Preview: Portland Thunder (3-8) vs. Spokane Shock (3-8)

Let’s just call this one #TheStruggle. The Thunder enter the game coming off a four-game losing streak. The Shock have a three-game losing streak of their own. The teams struggled to score in their opening matchup, with Portland securing a four-point win, 47-43.

In that game, Bryce Peila came up with an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble return for a touchdown helping overcome a 29-20 Shock lead at halftime.

Of course, in that game, Mike Washington led the Shock and Jamar Howard led the Thunder in receiving yards. Neither is expected to play. Former Thunder quarterback Danny Southwick is now a former Shock QB as well; he’s landed in Los Angeles and has helped them as they mount a turnaround on their season. Kyle Rowley may be backing up recent acquisition Alex Carder at quarterback for the Thunder.

With a previous matchup that went down to the wire and several differences in lineups since then, combined with mounting losses on the field, both personnel and record-wise, it’s tough to determine who has the advantage this week.

One thing’s for certain: After the recent wins by Los Angeles and Las Vegas, these two teams enter needing a win in order to feel comfortable heading into the final third of the season. Both teams trail the Outlaws by a game and both are ahead of the previously left-for-dead KISS by just a game.

And Duane Brooks will be exciting in the return game. He’s either one or two kick return touchdowns away from an AFL record for return touchdowns in a season. He’s also returned two for touchdowns in each of the past three games (unfortunately, one may count as a fumble recovery because he fumbled (and recovered) right before the line and another was called back on a phantom hold), so it’s not crazy to expect a couple on Sunday.

I said in my picks over on ArenaFan that Spokane would get even for the last game, and that the difference between this week and the last one is that Shox the Fox won’t interfere with their receivers. I won’t be that guy who picks both sides of a game, so I’m picking Spokane to win another tight game, 46-43.

On ArenaFan: Celebrating Brooks’ season; Weighted Power Rankings

I have a couple articles up on ArenaFan this week – First off is coverage of Duane Brooks, who has been the story for the Thunder in recent weeks as he moves toward the record books as having the best season for a kick returner in league history.

The second may not be so well-received by Thunder fans, as it incorporates a weighted “what have you done for me lately” system that sees Portland fall to 12th in the league in offensive/defensive success rate.

Check back later this week for a game preview and the Game Day poster! After this week, the blog will gradually be shifting focuses as I go up to Spokane for Hoopfest and then relocate to Irving, TX to begin work at North Lake College.

Game Photos: Arizona Rattlers 69, Portland Thunder 42

While I was covering Friday’s game, I was also taking photos. A few of the photos I took are up on Flickr now (it’s just so much easier to batch upload). Includes terrible refereeing, big plays, and fine work by a guy out there on the field for the pizza promotion.

In fact, I liked his action sequence so much I won’t make you go to Flickr to see it.

Game Photos: San Jose SaberCats 61, Portland Thunder 42

Here are a couple of the photos from this week’s game against the Sabercats. The rest can be found on my Flickr page (Sorry for moving things around on you – Pinterest will be used for graphics, but for batch uploading, Flickr’s the superior product).

Game Preview: Portland Thunder (3-4) at Orlando Predators (4-4)

The Portland Thunder, fresh off a win against the Los Angeles KISS, head to Orlando in search of their first road win of the season on Saturday, May 23.

The Thunder are 3-0 against the worst two scoring defenses in the league, and 0-4 against the rest of their schedule…which happens to have contained the top four defenses in the league. The Predators are the third-worst scoring defense in the league, if you’re looking for signs that point to a Thunder win.

Photos: Portland Thunder 47, Spokane Shock 43

Thunder WR Perez Ashford makes a special teams tackle on Spokane returner Ruschard Dodd-Masters

Shock WR Rashaad Carter ends up trapping the ball in the end zone – the play was initially ruled a touchdown before review overturned the play and gave the Thunder the ball on downs.

Kicker Michael Braunstein was called in on short notice to become the Thunder’s third kicker in three games.

Thunder kick returner Duane Brooks made several huge returns against the Shock. This one ended at the Spokane 7-yard line.

Osagie Odiase trips up Spokane’s Rashaad Carter early in the game.

Spokane’s Rashaad Carter hauls in a TD at the goal line while QB Danny Southwick gets lit up in the backfield.

Thunder DB Allen Chapman fights for an interception to end the first half and avoid a 16-point halftime deficit.

Yes, Jamar Howard scored more touchdowns against the Shock.

Howard also hauled in this reception in the corner of the end zone.

Marquis Jackson welcomed Danny Southwick back to the Moda Center a couple of times on Thursday night.

Marquis Jackson had his second multiple-sack game of the season against the Shock.

V’Keon Lacey stepped up with 10 receptions for 108 yards and this touchdown.

Toward the end of the first half, the Thunder’s defensive line began to get pressure on Southwick, interrupting his rhythm and making the evening more difficult.

Osagie Odiase caps off the game with this pick to stop the final Shock drive.

Bryce Peila picked off his first pass of the season and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.

Kyle Rowley sets up with plenty of time to find a receiver thanks to his offensive line.

Shock DB Devon Dace came up with a pick, but Kyle Rowley ensured he would not return that interception for a touchdown.

Danny Southwick sets up to throw deep early in the game against the Thunder.

Danny Southwick completed this pass (and the next eight), starting the game on a roll in Portland.

Brandon Tett signals a change as the game turns Portland’s way with Odiase’s clinching INT.

Darron Thomas got into the game with a goal line rush.

Shock WR Mike Washington turned a big gain into a touchdown with some nifty moves against Thunder DB Andre Martin.