Blitz Back in First Place

May 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


The Blitz have their first of two bye weeks on the season this week. Their next game will be on Saturday, May 15th as they continue their homestand. Divisional rival San Diego comes to town for a 7:00pm start. That night features a Bakersfield arena football first, with a "Jersey Off Our Backs" raffle and charity auction. Sponsored by Real Rock 93.1 and Bright House Networks, the team will wear special Armed Forces Day American-themed jerseys. Five will be given away during the game and the rest will be auctioned off to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club.

Last week

BLITZ 49 vs. Twisters 21 Attendance: 5,404

Chad Elliott threw for 284 yards and six touchdowns while rookie Rennard Reynolds had a career day with 11 catches for 176 yards as the Blitz romped over the Arkansas Twisters 49-21. Bakersfield improved to 3-2 on the season and remained perfect in front of the hometown crowd (2-0). Reynolds was Elliott's target for four of his touchdown throws while Bakersfield's reception leader Eric Mahanke pulled in the other two. Bakersfield's defense had their best performance of the season, sacking Twisters QB Henry Young five times and limiting Arkansas' offense to 114 net yards.

In the huddle

· WR/DB Rennard Reynolds took over as offensive specialist when OS Steve Wofford went down in the first quarter on Saturday. It was Reynolds' first game since Week 1 against Tennessee Valley.

· While the Blitz rank 20th out of 25 teams in the league in rushing offense, they have three rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks. FB/LB Nick Onaindia returned to the lineup after also missing three games to score once from two yards out.

· The Blitz ‘D' has recorded a safety in back-to-back games. Kevin "Catfish" Carroll racked up this week's two-pointer.

· When the Twisters scored the first touchdown of the game on Saturday night, it broke a string of three consecutive games in which Bakersfield got on the board first.

· WR/DB Mel Miller recorded the third interception of the season for Bakersfield on Saturday. DS Delvin Myles and WR/LB Eric Mahanke also have picks on the year.

Practice

With the bye week, there will be just one organized practice this week.

Monday 6:00pm Team meeting

Tuesday 5:30 – 7:00pm Centennial Garden (open to media)

Radio and Television Tune in each and every Thursday night from the Holiday Inn Select for the "Indoor War Report" with Head Coach Rick Van Horne. The IWR is a weekly live talk show that discusses news and notes from the Blitz and the af2, and airs exclusively on KGEO AM 1230 with the "Voice of the Blitz" Kevin Bartl. Each show features a visit from Blitz players, prizes, and specials from the Holiday Inn Select, which is located next door to Centennial Garden.

All Blitz games, home and away, can be heard on KGEO AM 1230 with the "Voice of the Blitz" Kevin Bartl. All Blitz home games can also be seen live on Bright House Networks Ch. 21. A replay of the match will be shown on the following Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm on the same station.

Pro-rated season tickets and group outings for the Blitz are on sale now by contacting the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548) or by stopping by the Bakersfield Sports Entertainment office located at Centennial Garden. The Garden box office is open Monday through Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm and open at noon on Saturday event days. For up-to-date information on the Blitz, log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com.



arenafootball2 Stories from May 3, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central