Blitz Playoff Action Features Poster Giveaway

Published on August 13, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. - The Bakersfield Blitz (11-5), champions of the West Division, will finally reap the fruits of their regular season labor as they host a second round playoff matchup against the Peoria Pirates (10-7) this weekend at Centennial Garden. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

Everyone in attendance at the game Saturday night will get a free Blitz 2004 Highlight Poster, sponsored by KGET-TV 17. The full color prints commemorate a memorable, record-setting season with numerous action photos from this year. In addition, there are two ticket promotions lined up. To jump on the LA Dodgers pennant race bandwagon, anyone wearing Dodger gear to the game can purchase 2-for-1 tickets. The same deal is available for anyone celebrating the start of the Olympics in Athens, Greece by wearing a toga, the prototypical Greek attire.

The Peoria Pirates entered the playoffs as the #5 seed and dispensed with the #4 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz in the first round with a 45-36 win on the road. They're top-ranked defense forced four turnovers and knocked Yard Dawgz QB Craig Strickland out of the game in the first half.

"The boys battled hard this season for the opportunity to host the playoffs, and this is it," said Blitz GM Chris Freshour. "This could be our last home game of this great season so far. With the free posters and the two ticket promotions, football fans have no excuse to miss this one. So brings your toga, this is the playoffs, baby!"

The Playoff Skinny

Similar to the National Football League, the af2 features two conferences that will each crown a champion the week before the ArenaCup title game. The Blitz would advance to the National Conference Championship with a win this weekend. The reigning champion Tulsa Talons (13-3) host the Louisville Fire (10-7) this Saturday as well, and the winner of that game will meet the winner of the Blitz game in the Conference Championship.

In the American Conference, four teams remain. The Florida Firecats (11-6) visit the Tennessee Valley Vipers (12-4) on Friday, while the Cape Fear Wildcats (13-4) travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to play the Pioneers (13-3). The winner of those two games will meet in the American Conference Championship. The two conference champions will meet in the ArenaCup on August 28th.

This Saturday's game has a strong possibility of being the last home game of the season for Bakersfield because it is based on winning percentage. Should Bakersfield win this weekend, in order for the Blitz to host the National Conference title game Louisville must upset Tulsa, who has won ten consecutive games and cruised into the top seed. Should Bakersfield advance to the ArenaCup Championship game, only a meeting against Florida would earn home field advantage. The Firecats and Vipers play on Friday night.

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

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 opens at noon this Saturday. For up-to-date information on the Blitz, log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com.

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