Blitz Pick Up Third Straight Over San Diego, 57-53

June 27, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


San Diego – The Bakersfield Blitz (8-4) used a 34-point second quarter to build up a lead and hold on for a 57-53 win over the San Diego Riptide (5-6) in front of 4,875 fans at the Sports Arena on Saturday night.

Bakersfield set the tone in the first quarter on both sides of the ball. Steve Wofford caught a 28-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game for the early 7-0 lead. After a San Diego fumble, Brian Walker added to the lead with an 18 yard field goal. The Riptide got on the board with a touchdown pass to Marty Graham and trailed 10-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to Bakersfield. They scored 34 points in the quarter to blow open a 21-point lead at the half. Chad Elliott threw three touchdown passes and took one in himself to pad the lead. Eric Mahanke caught two of the touchdowns and Rennard Reynolds pulled in the other for Bakersfield. On defense, Bakersfield picked off Kane Claunch twice – once by Nathan Munson and the other by Mahanke, who ran with it eight yards for another score. The Blitz, after being held to 41 points or less in three of their last four games, exceeded that in the first half and led 44-23 after two quarters.

The Riptide chipped away at the lead, scoring on the opening possession of the third quarter. Dwight Carter (with two) and Jesus Reyes pulled in touchdown passes to make it 44-41 Bakersfield after the third quarter. The Blitz were held scoreless on their first four possessions of the second half.

It wasn't until midway through the fourth quarter before Bakersfield was able to add to their lead. Nick Onaindia capped a seven-play, 40-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to turn the tables back toward the Blitz. Another Riptide touchdown brought the score to 50-47, after kicker Rich Ehmke missed the extra point. Steve Wofford put the nail in the coffin with a 41-yard touchdown on a screen pass on first-and-20 from the Bakersfield 9, and the Blitz led 57-47. Although the Riptide added another touchdown pass by Dwight Carter, Ehmke missed the point after to leave San Diego trailing by four points. The Blitz ran out the clock and improved to 3-0 against San Diego and 7-1 against their own division with the win.

The Blitz have a bye week next weekend and return to action on July 10th when they travel to Hawaii for a battle with the Islanders. The Blitz hit the turf in Bakersfield again on Saturday, July 17th at 7:00pm against the Central Valley Coyotes. That night, the first 2,000 kids 12 and under will get a free bobblehead doll of star Blitz QB Chad Elliott, sponsored by KGET-TV 17 and Del Taco.

Groups of 20 or more can take advantage of discounted rates to all Blitz home games. Contact the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548) or by stopping by the Bakersfield Sports Entertainment office located at Centennial Garden for more information. Log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com and register for the Blitz e-mail list to stay up-to-date with the latest team information.



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