Blitz Roster Trimmed to 21

Published on March 28, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. - With Opening Night 2005 just five days away, the Bakersfield Blitz made final cuts yesterday to meet the af2 requirement with 21 players on their roster.

The roster includes 12 players who suited up for the Blitz in 2004, including QB Chad Elliott, OS Rennard Reynolds, WR/LB Eric Mahanke, FB/LB Nick Onaindia and Damian Romero, OL/DL Kika Kaululaau, Kevin Lacey, David Lose, Mike Felemi and Phil Blackmon, WR/DB Nathan Munson DS Ken Haslip. Both Haslip and Blackmon, however, will be on league suspension for this weekend's action for off-season employment violations.

In an unconventional move by af2 standards, the hotly contested quarterback position will have three players on the active roster to start the year. Elliott returns from his strong 2004 season as one of the most prolific passers in af2 history. Rookie Jason Thomas from UNLV and Richard Lucero, who played last season with Laredo in the af2, will also be on the roster.

In addition, there are 10 af2 rookies in the Blitz lineup, with three comimg from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. WR/DB Duvall Seamster and WR/LB David Bautista will start the year on short- term IR, putting them on the shelf for two weeks. DS Alex Wallace, who was an All-WAC selection at San Jose State and an All-WSC defensive back for Bakersfield College, also made the final cuts.

The Blitz hit the turf at the Rabobank Arena for practices this week, Monday through Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in preparation for their home opener against their Highway 99 rivals, the Central Valley Coyotes. Saturday, April 2nd will represent the kickoff of the defense of their 2004 West Division Title.

The Blitz 2005 schedule includes eight games at home and eight on the road. Friday Night Football will hit the Rabobank Arena this season, as all home games but Opening Night will take place on Friday nights. 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.

Ticket packages 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 Rabobank Arena. For up-to-date information on the Blitz log onto www.bakersfieldblitz.com and sign up for the Blitz e-mail notification list.

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