Arena Football on the NFL Network: Rush at Shock
By SCOTT COOLEY
Chicago Rush at Spokane Shock (-10)
The NFL Network features two of the top teams in the league Friday as the Chicago Rush (10-5 SU, 8-7 ATS) head west to take on the Spokane Shock (12-2 SU, 8-6 ATS) in what could be a potential first round playoff preview.
Rush of injuries
The spread indicates these are not evenly-matched teams but there are few factors behind the double-digit number.
The Rush have hobbled through the second half of the season and it finally caught up with them Saturday. The team lost starting quarterback Russ Michna in the first quarter of a 65-52 loss to Dallas. Michna sustained a broken rib and will miss the remainder of the season.
Dallas came into that contest on a 10-game slide and pulled off the improbable victory as 16-point underdogs. And Michna wasn’t the only Chicago casualty from the game.
Kenny Higgins, the team’s No. 3 wideout, was poised to make his first start since coming off injured reserve last week but suffered a setback to his foot during pregame warm-ups. He will not return this year and starting offensive lineman Shawn McMackin endured the same fate after he dislocated his kneecap in the first half.
“It seems like we’ve been hit with an extraordinary amount of injuries this year,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “While I know these players are devastated by the fact that they are out for the year, we cannot let their injuries be devastating to the team.”
What’s even more detrimental about McMackin’s injury is that he had just moved over from the O-line to fullback to replace Robert Boss, who recently left the team to coach at his alma mater.
Chicago lost its leading receiver three weeks ago because he was under contract with the UFL and the team’s No. 2 wideout has been on injured reserve since Week 9 but is expected to return this week.
Water into wine
While this rash of injuries will undoubtedly hurt Chicago, the team overcame adversity in a similar situation earlier this season and can’t be counted out of any game.
The Rush were forced to play without Michna and their three starting wideouts five weeks ago in a home game versus Milwaukee. Chicago opened as a 1-point underdog in that contest but as news surfaced about the absence of key players the spread moved to double digits by kickoff.
Hohensee and his makeshift lineup found a way to pull off the miracle, winning the game 63-56. And this wasn’t a win against a league bottom-feeder but instead a powerful and playoff-bound Milwaukee squad.
Hohensee called it “one of the most rewarding victories” in his career. Backup quarterback JJ Raternik completed 26-of-37 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns.
Raternik replaced Michna Saturday and performed flawlessly save for one game-ending mistake. After Dallas scored on the opening possession of overtime, Chicago drove down to the four-yard line to answer but Raternik’s pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
"He has a great deal of confidence," Hohensee said of Raternik. "I just hope that (last pass) didn't ruin it all."
Cruise control
With the best record in the AFL, the Shock have secured home-field advantage throughout the National Conference playoffs and need one more win to host the ArenaBowl championship, should they reach it.
“My guys aren’t satisfied,” said head coach Rob Keefe. “I honestly believe that’s the mark of a champion – the never-satisfied attitude.”
Keefe is also cognizant that the AFL is a stepping stone for his players to reach the pinnacle of professional football. Playing on the NFL Network provides a platform for his players to be seen by a national audience that will include NFL scouts. The coach also doesn’t want to lose the momentum of a 10-game winning streak (7-3 ATS).
“I think it’s my responsibility to get the players seen,” head coach Rob Keefe said. “I’m going to put the best on the field every week. Somebody asked me the other day, ‘Do you want to lose before the playoffs?’ No, I think you want to win at everything you do all the time.”
Go West
The Shock have the most decisive home-field edge when hosting an arena game in Eastern Washington. Utah is the only AFL team within 1,300 miles of Spokane so travel plans become precarious when visiting the Northwest.
Chicago will be on a short week having played last Saturday, and only had three days of practice before flying out on Thursday. The injuries, as well as the 1,500-mile excursion, could take a toll on the Rush.