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Blitz Bolster Line and Bring Back Munson

March 15, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. - With the start of training camp less than 48 hours away, the reigning West Division Champion Bakersfield Blitz has locked down five key members of the 2005 team. Four of them - linemen Kika Kaululaau, Phil Blackmon, Kevin Lacey and WR/DB Nathan Munson - are returning players.

Munson (5-11, 205lbs.), put together a strong year for the Blitz last season, finishing third in receptions with 56 and fourth with 539 receiving yards and eight scores. He proved to be the Blitz' most versatile player with four interceptions and 40 tackles on defense and a pair of returned MFG (missed field goals) for touchdowns, in addition to his offensive production. The Upper Iowa university grad has been with the Blitz for the last three seasons.

Kaululaau (6-0, 305lbs.) is in perfect position to move into the starting center/nose guard role in his third season with the team. Last season on defense the Nevada-Reno grad recorded 14 tackles, including six for a loss, and three sacks. Retired Kenney Williamson logged more playing time up the middle last year, especially on the offense side of the ball, but Kaululaau recorded more tackles defensively.

Blackmon (Utah, 6-6, 330lbs.) returns for his third year with the Blitz and Lacey (Ashland, 6-2, 290lbs.) his second. Both offensive linemen by trade, they will compete for a starting job this season after backing up for much of last year. Blackmon had nine tackles on defense last season, with one tackle for a loss and four pass breakups. Lacey recorded 2.5 tackles including one for a loss in limited time last season.

DeJhown (duh-ZHAWN) Mandley (6-4, 265lbs.) comes into camp a rookie out of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and will add size and speed to the OL/DL position and another receiving threat. As a tight end at UNLV, he was named honorable mention on the All-Mountain West Conference team as a Junior and Senior. Mandley played all four of his collegiate seasons with UNLV, where he was a starter for three campaigns. His father Pete Mandley played seven seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL with Detroit and Kansas City.

The Blitz are up to 21 players on their training camp roster, with several more expected to sign later this week, as camp opens up for the first day on the field on Thursday.

The Blitz 2005 schedule includes eight games at home and eight on the road, starting with Opening Night on Saturday, April 2nd against Central Valley. Following Opening Night, Friday Night Football will hit the Rabobank Arena this season, as the remainder of the home schedule will consist of Friday night match- ups. The Blitz will compete in the National Conference West Division along with the Central Valley Coyotes, Rio Grande Valley Dorados, San Diego Riptide and the Tulsa Talons.

Second Chance for Dance

The Bakersfield Blitz has also announced that a second round of tryouts for the 2005 Blitz Girls Dance Team will be held this weekend. Prospective dancers should bring a resume and an updated photo or glamour shot with them for submission.

The session will be held this Saturday, March 19th in the gym at Garces High School, which is located at 2800 Loma Linda Drive. The tryouts will start at 9:00 a.m. and last about three hours. Over 50 girls showed up for the first tryout last Saturday, and several have already earned spots on the team. For more information about the Blitz dance team, contact Sherrina Eddins or Michael Reeves in the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548).

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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.

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