AFL: Turnovers, miscues plague LA KISS. Spokane Shock win, 64-46.

ANAHEIM, CA – The expansion L.A. KISS have changed players, held an open tryout and tried everything you can to produce wins in their inaugural season but turnovers and miscues continue to plague Los Angeles.

That was the case in Saturday’s 64-46 loss to the Spokane Shock in front of more than 11,000 fans at Honda Center.

The game was close in the first quarter. Quarterback Aaron Garcia threw two touchdown passes in the frame. The first an 11 yard hook-up with Brandon Thompkins tying the game at 7-apiece.

Then after an 11 yard TD connection from Erik Meyer to Rashard Carter put the Shock (8-7) back on top at 14-7, Garcia found Donovan Morgan over the middle for a 29 yard score. Kenny Spencer missed the extra point and the KISS trailed 14-13 after one.

Los Angeles (3-11) was shutout in the second quarter. In the meantime, Meyer – who completed 23 of 34 passes for 214 yards and six touchdowns – got one of them on a 17 yard hook-up with Carter again making it 21-13, Spokane.

On the ensuing drive Garcia was picked off Terrance Sanders resulting in another Shock touchdown.

When the KISS got the ball back, Garcia was driving them towards the Spokane endzone. On second and seven from the Shock 20, Garcia went back to pass and was hit by Paul Stephens – HARD. And according to head coach Bob McMillen Garcia was hit late.

Stephens wasn’t ejected from the game to McMillen’s displeasure. The team is planning to file a complaint with the league office for action against Stephens. To hear from coach McMillen and Garcia about the hit, click on the video with this story.

Garcia was down on the carpet for about five minutes with numbness in his shoulders. He regained feeling and was helped off the field replaced by Kenny Guiton (completed 5 of 9 passes, 82 yards, 2 TDs one INT) for the remainder of the drive and was unable to get six.

Garcia (16 or 25, 203 yards, 3 TDs, one INT), who was also sacked three times, came back just before halftime thaqt saw the Shock hit intermission with a 35-13 lead.

Los Angeles was forced to play catch-up which shortens an already short field for the opposition making it too difficult to come back.

The KISS host San Jose on Sunday, July 6th. Los Angeles lost the first two meetings against the SaberCats this season. Kick-off at Honda Center is set for 5pm.