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March 28, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (0-0) AT LAREDO LOBOS (0-0)

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007 - Laredo Entertainment Center (8,067) 8:05 P.M. ET The first matchup of the 2007 season features an intriguing battle between the host Laredo Lobos, a new entry into the af2, and the veteran-heavy Bakersfield Blitz. Head Coach Gary Compton, a 13-year AFL veteran, led Bakersfield to a winning season and a playoff berth in just his first season in 2006. With a roster boasting a large number of returnees from a year ago, the Blitz are looking for another successful run in 2007. Bakersfield boasts two quality QBs vying for the starting spot in veterans Chad Elliot and Alex Neist. Elliot is a six-year af2 veteran who played in Bakersfield from 2002-05. He ranks second all-time in league history with over 15,000 passing yards. Neist began last season in Spokane, but finished in Bakersfield, leading the Blitz into the postseason. He compiled 53 TD passes in 14 regular season games combined. The Blitz also have the benefit of talented two-way players like Eric Mahanke, DeRonn Finley, Ben McCombs and Nathan Munson back in the mix. The defense, however, will miss 2006 af2 Defensive Player of the Year Alex Wallace (11 INTs, 26 breakups) and Lineman of the Year Jerry Turner (16.0 sacks), who earned their way to the AFL. New addition Paul Cannings from Tulsa should aid in the secondary while McCombs can bring the rush, registering 8.0 sacks in 2006. The Lobos are led by veteran coach Mark Stoute. Stoute has been a head coach at both the AFL and af2 levels, and been successful at every stop. He's hoping those fortunes don't change this year in Laredo. Last year as an assistant head coach for Green Bay, Stoute helped guide the Blizzard to an ArenaCup berth. Leading the team on the field is QB Daniel Forrest, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder who spent the 2006 af2 season as a backup in Memphis. In limited action, Forrest showed promise, tossing seven touchdowns and just one interception in seven appearances. The Lobos have also brought in a number of talented rookies like WR/DB Edward Giddings, who should be one of the team's major weapons on offense. Stoute is a detailed-oriented coach who always has his teams well prepared. If his young team limits their mistakes, the Lobos could give the Blitz a real test.

BLITZ LOBOS SERIES LEADER First time these two teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 (including playoffs) N/A

LAST GAME Lost 47-50 at Spokane on 8/12/06 in the playoffs N/A

2006 LEADERS BLITZ LOBOS PASSING Wall: 276-160-8; 1787; 43 TDs N/A

RECEIVING Reynolds: 106-1463; 36 TDs N/A

RUSHING Onaindia: 25-102; 5 TDs N/A

TACKLES Wallace: 51.0 N/A

SACKS Turner: 16.0 N/A

INTERCEPTIONS Wallace: 11 N/A

KICKING Johnson: 48-55 PAT, 4-13 FG; 60 PTs N/A

TEAM OFFENSE 48.2 PPG; 251.3 YPG N/A

TEAM DEFENSE 44.9 PPG; 220.2 YPG N/A

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