Burn fall to Shock for 9th straight time

The Boise Burn were looking to snap an 8 game losing streak against the Spokane Shock, but it was the league?s top team that played error free football en route to a 59-35 victory advancing to the National Conference Championship game for the second year in a row and 3rd time in 4 seasons. The Boise Burn had an opportunity to grab the momentum early on. Following a defensive stop, Boise had the ball first down and goal but a Mark Thorson pass off the net fell into the hands of Sergio Gilliam and the Shock answered with a 45 yard drive capped off by a Charles Dillon 6 yard TD and the 7-0 lead. Ben Scott cut into the lead with a 24 yard field goal getting Boise to within 7-3 after the first quarter. The special teams gods, once again played in favor of the Shock in the 2nd quarter. Following a Raul Vijil 34 yard TD, Brian Jackson?s kick off went off the net, through the hands of Terrance Sanders and into the Arms of Markee White for the TD and the 21-3 lead. Boise answered with a Mark Thorson to Nichiren Flowers 26 yard TD on 4th down getting Boise to within 12 at 21-9. Up 28-16, the Shock score the final 11 points of the half in the final 1:25 of the second quarter. Following a Brian Jackson 18 yard field goal, Spokane forced a turnover on downs, Nick Davila scored on a 1 yard TD and Mark Thorson was called for an intentional grounding in the end zone giving Spokane the 39-16 lead at the break. Boise scored on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter on Jomo Wilson 6 yard TD giving Boise some hope for a comeback but the Shock would not allow the Burn to get any closer as they outscored Boise 20-19 in the final 2 quarters of play en route to a 59-35 victory and earning a spot in the National Conference Championship against Tulsa next week. Date and time TBD. The Boise Burn finish their best season in franchise history with an overall record of 13-5 (1-1 in post-season). Game Notes: Nichiren Flowers had a season best 179 yards on 9 catches and had 3 TD?s leading the way for Boise Burn. Flowers finished with 7 TD?s in the post season. Damian Walker scored on a 2 yard TD run in the 4th quarter raising his franchise record to 17 rushing TD?s. Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score Boise Burn 3 13 13 6 35 Record: (13-5) Spokane Shock 7 32 13 7 59 Record: (17-1) LEADERS: PASSING: THORSON, Mark (BOI) 16-33-1 157 3 TD?s; DAVILA, Nick (SPO) 13-24-0 151 3 TD?s RECEIVING: FLOWERS, Nichiren (BOI) 9-179 3 TD?s; VIJIL, Raul (SPO) 5-64 1 TD Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Nick Davila JLS Ironman of the Game: Raul Vijil Aaron?s Defensive Player of the Game: Sergio Gilliam . - www.boiseburn.com -