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af2: Saturday Night Matchups

May 22, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (3-4) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (7-0)

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 10:00 P.M. ET

Central Valley travels to Spokane, Wash. this weekend for the first of two head-to-head meetings with the No. 1-ranked Shock. The Coyotes hope the eighth time is a charm on Saturday as Spokane has won all seven games so far in the all-time series. Central Valley, however, will likely be without the services of starting QB JASON MURRIETTA. Murrietta injured his right shoulder on a late hit last week in the team's 68-51 home loss to Arkansas. The second-year signal caller from Northern Arizona has 38 TD passes in seven games this year and ranks eighth overall in passer rating (119.7). Murrietta made nine game appearances for Spokane in 2008. WR/LB Weston Borba and WR Phil Goodman were also unable to finish the game due to injuries sustained against the Twisters. WR LAMONTE JONES (10-140-4 TDs) led the Coyotes in defeat. Backup QB RYAN O'HARA, who completed 8-of-16 passes for 72 yards and three TDs in a relief role, should get his first af2 start this week. LB JAJUAN HUDDLESTON had a game-high 7.5 tackles. The Coyotes defense ranks 20th in the af2 in scoring defense, allowing opponents 57.7 points per game. They also rank near the bottom of the league standings in turnovers forced with 12. The team's top playmaker in 2009 has been Jones. Jones ranks second overall in all-purpose yards with 1,328. He also ranks fifth in receptions per game (10.57) and seventh in receiving yards per game (118). Central Valley is currently ranked No. 16 in the latest league coaches poll. The Shock maintained their position as the only unbeaten team in the league after a 49-38 road victory over Florida. It was a sloppy turnover laden affair that saw three interceptions thrown and four fumbles given away. After trailing 21-12 at halftime, the Firecats scored on three straight possessions between the third and fourth quarters to make it a 35-32 game with eight minutes left. The Shock scored on their next possession and forced a second interception in the game's final minutes. WR Andy Olson finished the night leading all receivers with 11 receptions for 151 yards. He also had two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. In the end Spokane made the most of its scoring opportunities, converting on five of seven trips into the red zone. DB Stanley Franks (Aaron's Defensive Player of the Game: 12 tackles, 1 INT) and DL Justin Warren (2 sacks) stood out for Spokane on defense. The Shock are a well-balanced, efficient ball club that ranks sixth in scoring offense (59.6 ppg) and fifth in scoring defense (42.7 ppg allowed). Spokane ranks second only to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in turnovers lost with nine (6 fumbles, 3 INTs). They also rank third in turnover margin at plus+10 (19 gained, 9 lost). Individually, QB NICK DAVILA ranks third overall in passer rating at 127.3. Veteran WR RAUL VIJIL leads the club in scoring, receiving, return yards and all-purpose yards. On the defensive side, DL BEN MCCOMBS is the league's all-time leader in sacks with 48. He is also tied for the league lead in sacks with seven. He also played with Central Valley in 2008. Franks (team-best 51.5 tackles) and fellow DB SERGIO GILLIAM (team-high 4 INTs) are also playmakers on defense for Spokane. Despite the overall series score, Central Valley has played the Shock tough through the years. This time out, however, without Murrietta, the Coyotes will need a near flawless performance to keep things close.



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