Shock win in overtime, clinch playoff berth

CLEVELAND — Travis Williams’ 43-yard interception return for a touchdown in overtime lifted the Spokane Shock to a 62-56 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday night before 8,237 at Quicken Loans Arena and a berth in the Arena Football League playoffs.

Combined with Arizona’s 55-50 loss to Chicago, Spokane’s win gave the Shock (11-2) the Western Division championship.

Cleveland (6-8) scored 14 straight points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 56 and force overtime.

After winning the coin toss in overtime, Spokane elected to kick it to Cleveland. On the Gladiators’ seventh play of the drive, quarterback John Dutton threw an interception to Williams, who returned it for the game-winning touchdown.

A fumble recovery by defensive back Alex Teems allowed Spokane to take its first lead of the game, 14-7, on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Rowley to Shaun Kauleinamoku.

Defensive lineman Jeremy Geathers forced Dutton to fumble again in the second quarter, which was recovered by defensive lineman Jerry Turner. One play later, Rowley connected with Huey Whittaker on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Shock a 21-7 lead.

Whittaker led the Shock with 11 receptions for 153 yards and five touchdowns. Two of Whittaker’s five TD catches came on fourth down. Wide receiver Greg Orton made his first start for the Shock and caught seven passes for 70 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown catch.

Rowley passed for 298 yards and seven touchdowns.

Spokane travels to Iowa on Friday in a game to be televised at 5 p.m. PDT by the NFL Network.

Spokane 14 21 14 7 6 — 62

Cleveland 7 21 14 14 0 — 56

CLE — Ben Nelson 22 pass from John Dutton (Matt Denny kick)

SPO — Huey Whittaker 22 pass from Kyle Rowley (Taylor Rowan kick)

SPO — Shaun Kauleinamoku 13 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)

SPO — Whittaker 14 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)

CLE — Russell Monk 2 run (Denny kick)

SPO — Whittaker 3 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)

CLE — Adam Tadisch 19 pass from Dutton (Denny kick)

SPO — Greg Orton 4 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)

CLE — Nelson 8 pass from Rowley (Denny kick)

SPO — Whittaker 32 pass (Rowan kick)

CLE — Monk 2 runs (Denny kick)

SPO — Clay Harrell 1 run (Rowan kick)

CLE — Joe Phinisee 22 pass from Dutton (Denny kick)

SPO — Whittaker 16 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)

CLE — T.J. Watkins 1 run (Denny kick)

CLE — Brent Holmes 7 pass from Dutton (Denny kick)

SPO — Travis Williams 43 interception return (no attempt)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Spo, Rowley 2-15, Harrell 2-4. Cle, Johnson 1-10, Holmes 1-10, Monk 3-5, Watkins 1-1, Williams 2-(minus 1), Dutton 1-(minus 5).

PASSING — Spo, Rowley 25-38-0-298. Cle, Dutton 27-45-1-294.

RECEIVING — Spo, Whittaker 11-153, Orton 7-70, Sammons 4-46, Kauleinamoku 3-29. Cle, Holmes 8-81, Williams 7-66, Nelson 6-72, Phinisee 3-38, Johnson 2-18, Tadisch 1-19.