Daily League News & Notes

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SaberCats' FB Brian Folkerts Joins Carolina Panthers

"This is a great opportunity for Brian and is very well-deserved," said Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet. "We are very happy for Brian and wish him nothing but the best in Carolina."

Folkerts (6-4, 310, Washburn) was off to a very successful rookie campaign in San Jose, having appeared in the first six games of the 2013 season. He carried the ball sparingly, but scored a pair of touchdowns, the first two in the Missouri native's football career. Where he shined on the field was in pass protection, as a big part of the SaberCats offensive line that has allowed just nine sacks this season.

Prior to his time with the SaberCats, Folkerts was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints before the 2012 NFL season and also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a standout at Washburn (Kansas) for the Ichabods, earning All-MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) honors twice and started 39 games along the offensive line during his collegiate career.

Shock Break Streak with 65-54 Win over VooDoo

The Spokane Shock (6-3) broke their three game losing streak with a 65-54 win over the New Orleans VooDoo (1-7) in front of a crowd of 9,317, at Spokane Arena.

On the first drive of the game, Shock quarterback Erik Meyer threw only his third interception of the season to VooDoo defensive back Leslie Majors. The return of offensive lineman Chris Pino proved to have a great impact on the night's contest not only in the pass protection department but after the errant pass by Meyer, Pino would lay a ball-jarring hit on Majors on the interception return to knock the ball loose and give offensive lineman Ryan Cave the chance to jump on the ball and keep the possession for Spokane. Shock wide receiver Brandon Thompkins would make his presence known early after being acquired by Spokane in a Week 8 trade with the Utah Blaze as Meyer would find Thompkins in the back of the end zone for the opening score of the game on a 9-yard touchdown pass.

VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco would return to the New Orleans lineup after missing the last three contests and open with a one-play scoring drive on a 34-yard touchdown pass to answer the early Shock score. After back to back scores by each team to tie the game at 14-14, VooDoo wide receiver Donovan Morgan would receive his second touchdown pass of the quarter to give New Orleans the lead at 21-14.

In the second quarter of play, Erik Meyer led the Shock on a four-play scoring drive to be capped on a 4-yard touchdown run by Kamar Jorden on an end-around toss after a fake dive to tie the game at 21. After trading scores by each team's leading receivers in the VooDoo's Donovan Morgan and the Shock's Adron Tennell, Spokane's Paul Stephens would jump a crossing route in the end zone and record his first interception of the night (6th on the season) to set up a 28-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the Shock a 31-27 lead going into the half after holding the VooDoo to only one touchdown in the second quarter of play.

In second half action, the VooDoo would be intercepted by Paul Stephens on their opening possession to set Spokane up on the New Orleans' 19-yard line. Spokane's Kamar Jorden and New Orleans' Donovan Morgan would again cap off drives with touchdowns before a fumbled snap by Spokane would provide Derek Lee the opportunity for a scoop and score touchdown from 7-yards out for the VooDoo, giving New Orleans the lead at 40-38. On the ensuing kickoff, the Shock's Terrance Sanders would create lightning yet again this season on a 56-yard kick return for the touchdown. Unwilling to give up, the VooDoo would go on to orchestrate a 8-play, 45-yard drive to chew 5 minutes and 33 seconds off the clock and again give New Orleans the lead at the end of the third quarter at 47-45.

The final quarter of play, however, would be all Spokane. Brandon Thompkins would be on the receiving end of his third touchdown of the game on a 5-yard strike from Erik Meyer before Terrance Sanders would go on to record his first interception of the night and return the pick for a 15-yard touchdown, giving the Shock a two score lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the contest. As a testament to his Offensive Player of the Game award, the VooDoo's Donovan Morgan would give New Orleans a final push late with a stellar one-handed touchdown reception from 33-yards out to pull the game back within a touchdown at 54-59. On Spokane's next drive, Adron Tennell would be on the receiving end of his second touchdown reception of the game as he would catch a short crossing route from Erik Meyer before going on to dodge three New Orlean's defenders and gallop up the sideline for the 37-yard score. With the Shock up by 11 the VooDoo had a final chance to pull the game back within reach, but Spokane's James Ruffin would get into the backfield and swallow up the New Orlean's quarterback for his third sack of the night and knock the ball loose for teammate Jon Williams to recover. Spokane would go on to force the VooDoo to use their remaining time outs and run the clock out for the win by a final score of 65-54.

Shock quarterback Erik Meyer completed 29 of 40 passes for 353 yards and 6 touchdowns with one interception. Adron Tennell would lead the Shock receiving effort with 14 receptions for 174 yards and two scores. Kamar Jorden's return would yield 8 catches for 95 yards and one touchdown, while Brandon Thompkins would make his first start of the season and haul in 6 receptions for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns. Paul Stephens recorded two interceptions on the night before leaving the game in the third quarter due to injury. Kick return specialist Terrance Sanders would record a 56-yard kick return for a score and also add one interception for a touchdown. James Ruffin recorded 3 sacks on the night and also have a key forced fumble late in the game to seal the Shock win.

VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco completed 22 of 38 attempts for 318 yards and 7 touchdowns, but three costly interceptions would make the difference in the game. Donovan Morgan was named Offensive Player of the Game as he recorded 13 receptions for 255 yards and 5 touchdowns, he accounted for 255 of the team's 318 receiving yards. Leslie Majors recorded an interception for the VooDoo defense, while Derek Lee would scoop and score on a fumble recovery.

Next week, the Shock will travel to San Antonio to take on a National Conference opponent in the Talons. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, May 24th at 5:30pm PST. After the Week 10 showdown in San Antonio, the Shock will return for the first of a two-game home stint against the San Jose Sabercats on June 1st as the featured CBS Sports Network game of the week at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA.

Tonight's Sharks Game - What You Need to Know

The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks return to their home turf tonight, hosting the San Jose SaberCats on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Tonight's kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

This is just the second all-time meeting between the Sharks and SaberCats, as the two squads have not squared off since the 2011 season. The Sharks take the field looking to snap a two-game losing streak and extend the team's lead in both the South Division and the American Conference. San Jose comes to the Shark Tank as winners of each of their last three games.

Whether you are a longtime Season Ticket Holder or are about to head to your first Sharks game, please see below for a rundown of what to expect at the Shark Tank tonight!

Military Appreciation Night

Tonight, we are honoring the contributions and sacrifices made by those who serve and have served in our nation's Armed Forces. All active and retired military personnel and their families are eligible for Buy One, Get One Free tickets with the presentation of a military ID at the arena box office.

In addition, the Sharks have teamed up with the Armed Forces Families Foundation for a second consecutive year. Attack Dance Team Military Posters will be available in exchange for a $1 donation to AFFF, while "United We Stand" T-Shirts will be available in exchange for a $5 donation. There will also be a postgame auction of the unique camouflage jerseys worn by the Sharks during tonight's game. All proceeds from the auction will also be donated to AFFF.

Last year, the Sharks and Taco Bell teamed up to donate over $31,000 to AFFF. A large portion of those donations were used in the construction and renovation of a children's playground and family pavilion at the Mulberry Cove Marina on Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Champions Professional Indoor Football League

Edge Drop Home Finale to Beef

In a must-win game, the Bloomington Edge could not keep up with the scoring power of the Beef, dropping to 4-6 on the season and losing all playoff hopes after a 51-33 loss in their final home game of Champions Professional Indoor Football League action on Friday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Momentum would be in the Edge favor on the very first play off the game as defender Josh Murray would intercept a James McNear deep ball and return it down to the Omaha 11-yard line. On the ensuing play Wayne Williams, on his first play in an Edge uniform, would scramble for the 11-yard touchdown, giving the Edge the early 6-0 advantage after a missed PAT.

Omaha would answer with three straight scores, as quarterback McNear would take over with a 1-yard score and follow it up with a 24-yard strike to wide receiver Jusmon Rivers. Antonyo Johnson would tack on a 2-yard touchdown run to take the 19-6 lead with 5:12 remaining in the first half.

Andre Raymond would get his first of three scores right before the half time whistle on a 2-yard run to keep things in reach 19-13.

Turnovers would be difference in the second half with the Edge fumbling on back to back drives to open things up, both being returned for touchdowns. Andre Raymond's fumble would be returned for a 35-yard score by Tim Dandridge, while Byron Wilson would follow things up on the ensuing drive after a Wayne Williams fumble for a 29-yard touchdown.

With a comfortable 32-13 lead late in the 3rd quarter, the Edge would turn to quarterback Andre Brown, who would go 6 of 9 passing with one interception for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown would find Lavaughn Macon on a 38-yard pass for a early 4th quarter score and Raymond with a 27-yard touchdown catch in the closing seconds of the game.

The Edge would end the game with three fumbles lost and two interceptions thrown with 179-yards of total offense, apposed to the Beef 262-yards of offense.

The Edge are next in action Saturday May 25th, with a 7:05pm start time in Sedalia for a meeting with the Mid-Missouri Outlaws. The game can be heard on WJBC.com with a 6:45pm pre-game start.