SHOCKERS MAUL MONARCHS; WIN CAPITAL CITY CHALLENGE 

March 18, 2007 Oregon City, Oregon 

    The South Sound Shockers opened the 2007 season with a convincing 32-0 shutout of the Oregon Monarchs in the first annual "Capital City Challenge". Both teams hailing from their respective state capitals (Monarchs from Salem, Shockers from Olympia/Lacey) will battle next season in Lacey, but this Saturday belonged to the South Sounders on the field turf at Oregon City High. The game was a charity game for the local Police Athletic League in Oregon City and all proceeds raised were donated. 

    The Monarchs defeated the Valley Mustangs a week ago at Bonney Lake 21-6 and are expected to repeat as playoff participants in the Oregon Football League. 

    The Shockers were sparked by rookie wideout Bobby Poeltl (Southern Oregon Univ.) who hauled in 4 passes for 68 yards and a TD as well as a 64 yard kickoff return for a score following a safety. Poeltl, a former NAIA honorable mention All-American kicked in big returns in the punt return department as well, setting the Shockers up with great field position. QB John Stewart (15-28, 294 yds 2 TD 1 INT) floated a swing pass to Fort Lewis addition Sgt Theo Holman in the flats, and the rookie speedster did the rest racing 80 yards for another Shocker score. Stewart, entering his third season as signal caller from Bethel College, had started the scoring with a 1-yard plunge to close out the first quarter. Terrell Smith led the Shockers rushing with 5 carries for 37 yards as the running game ground out 80 yards on 37 carries. Bad pitches, 3 sacks and a bad snap accounted for 42 yards in losses for the running game. 

    Defensively, the Shockers did not allow a Monarch first down and had a string of 10 consecutive "3 & outs" until midway through the 3rd quarter when a Monarch receiver got behind the defense and was dragged down 57 yards later. The defense bowed it's neck and forced a Micah Tanaka (Univ of Puget Sound) interception in the endzone. For the day, the Monarchs were held to 3-plays and a punt or less on 14 of 16 possessions. Defensive end Jackie Triplett recorded 3.5 sacks, 3 quarterback pressures and a batted pass in leading the defense, while tackles Justin Shumate and Jeff Markoff held the running game at bay for most of the game. Tanaka and free safety Randy Alderman recorded interceptions, and corner Ryan Kalalau (Univ. of Puget Sound) chipped in 2 pass break ups. This marked the third straight year the Shockers have opened a season with a shutout victory. 

The Shockers return home to face the Yakima Mavericks at South Sound Stadium Saturday (March 24) for a 1 PM kickoff.

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