Sports stats



Central Valley Coyotes game notes

March 29, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Central Valley Coyotes at Bakersfield Blitz
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Bakersfield, Calif.
Arena: Rabobank Arena (9,000)
Radio: ESPN AM 1430 (Antoine Ibrahim, Marcas Grant)
Series Record: Blitz lead 4-0
Last Meeting: Bakersfield 45, Central Valley 19 – July 17, 2004, Centennial Garden
Officials: TBD
Head Coaches: Central Valley – Fred Bilietnikoff Jr. (second season, 2-5) Bakersfield – Rick Van Horne (second season, 11-5)

2005 COYOTES: Although the Central Valley struggled last season to a 3-13 record, they ended the year on a bright note, winning their last two. This year's team hopes to carry the success they found at the end of last season into the 2005 campaign. Coyote head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr., who took over as head coach last mid-season, guides a new-look squad that brought back just seven players including QB Juston Wood, who joined the Coyotes late last season. Other key returnees include WR/DB LaMonte Jones, who was the team's second-leading receiver with 865 yards and 18 touchdowns. OS Marvin Brown, who had last season cut by injury as a FB/LB, looks to replace "All-Arena" OS Kenyatte Morgan, who signed a free-agent contract in the Canadian Football League during the offseason. FB/LB's Clint Merz and JaJuan Huddleston are also back in the Coyote lineup. Central Valley has gotten a boost defensively with the additions of two DS's, Marvin Owens and Joshua Robinson. The biggest roster changes are on the front line as only OL/DL Nathan Frowsing returns. Fourth-year veteran Oscar Grajeda and third-year star Ahmad Bhatti provide experience, while first-year linemen Ricky Gaspar, Dwane Tauiliili, and Joel Tautuaa are expected to make a positive impact up front. Other noteworthy acquisitions include: WR/DB DeRonn Finley, who had a great rookie season in Green Bay while leading the Blizzard in receptions (83), receiving yards (1,049) and touchdowns (25). FB/LB Vai Notoa, who is the Hawaiian Islander's all-time leading rusher and was their top tackler last year. WR/DB Michael Duncan brings added experience after playing two seasons with three different teams (San Diego, Rio Grande Valley, and Tulsa).
THE SERIES: The Blitz won all four games against the Coyotes last season. The first two victories were at Selland Arena. On April 10, 2004 the Blitz took a 65-48 contest in Week 3 and a 41-25 game in Week 10. The two teams would meet again on June 19, 2004 as the Coyotes dropped a close one, 33-26 at Centennial Garden. The Blitz pulled off the season sweep by beating the Coyote's again in Bakersfield 49-15 on July 17, 2005.


CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (0-0)
Date Opponent Time(P) Radio
April 2 @ Bakersfield 7:30 AM 1430
April 16 @ Oklahoma City 6:30 AM 1430
April 23 Arkansas 7:30 AM 1430
April 30 Bakersfield 7:30 AM 1430
May 7 @ Tulsa 6:00 AM 1430
May 14 Rio G. Valley 7:30 AM 1430
May 21 @ Amarillo 6:00 AM 1430
May 28 @ San Diego 7:00 AM 1430
June 4 Tulsa 7:30 AM 1430
June 11 San Diego 7:30 AM 1430
June 18 @ Rio G. Valley 6:30 AM 1430
June 24 @ Bakersfield 7:00 AM 1430
July 9 Bakersfield 7:30 AM 1430
July 16 @ San Diego 7:00 AM 1430
July 23 Memphis 7:30 AM 1430
July 30 San Diego 7:30 AM 1430

BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (0-0)
Date Opponent Time(P) Score
April 2 Central Valley 7:00
April 15 San Diego 7:00
April 22 Rio G. Valley 7:00
April 30 @ Central Valley 7:30
May 7 @ Bossier-Shrev. 5:00
May 13 Tulsa 7:00
May 20 San Diego 7:00
May 28 @ Tulsa 5:00
June 4 @ San Diego 7:00
June 10 Arkansas 7:00
June 18 @ Amarillo 5:00
June 24 Central Valley 7:00
July 9 @ Central Valley 7:30
July 15 Brossier-Shrev. 5:00
July 23 @ San Diego 7:00
July30 @ Rio G. Valley 5:30


COYOTE HEAD COACH: Fred Biletnikoff Jr. enters his third season in the arenafootball2 league and second with the Coyotes. Biletnikoff Jr. joined the Coyotes coaching staff last season as assistant head coach before becoming interim-head coach midway through the season. After five games as interim-head coach, Biletnikoff Jr. earned the title of head coach, winning his final two games of the season. He was also a part of the Fresno Frenzy coaching staff in 2002.


THIS WEEKS QUOTES:

Coyote head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. on training camp: "The competitiveness of training camp made it clear to me that we had a very productive offseason. Final cuts were extremely tough. I really see us playing against some of the players we didn't have room for."

Biletnikoff Jr. on his new-look team: "I am really enthusiastic about some of the new talent we were able to acquire during through free agency. We have a good mix of experience on this team which should help us. After last week's exhibition, we felt like we had a chance to really see what some of the new guys could do."

Coyote defensive coordinator and former Blitz assistant Steven G. Folmar on going back to Bakersfield: "Bakersfield is a great place to play. The fans are always into the game, which can make it hard for visitors. One of the main reasons we only lost one home game last year was because of the atmosphere was tough for opposing teams."


CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES
2004 Results (3-13)
Date Opponent Result Score
Mar. 27 Hawaii Loss 68-35
April 10 Bakersfield Loss 65-48
April 23 @ San Diego Loss 59-34
May 1 Peoria Loss 34-33
May 8 @ Green Bay Loss 50-32
May 15 Rio G. Valley Win 42-25
May 23 @ Hawaii Loss 54-48
May 29 Bakersfield Loss 41-25
June 5 San Diego Loss 45-24
June 13 @ Hawaii* Loss 70-42
June 19 @ Bakersfield Loss 33-26
July 3 @ Oklahoma City Loss 69-35
July 10 San Diego Loss 63-49
July 17 @ Bakersfield Loss 45-19
July 24 Hawaii Win 64-63
July 30 @ San Diego Win 48-34
*Fred Biletnikoff Jr. took over as head coach

NEXT GAME: The Coyotes will take a week off as they head in to their first of two bye weeks. They will then hit the road again to take on the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz on April 16 at the Ford Center. That game will kick off at 6 p.m. (Pacific) and can be heard on ESPN AM 1430.

OLD STOMPING GROUNDS : The original Bakersfield Blitz franchise was purchased by current Coyotes Operator, the Tachi Yokut Tribe, in 2004. The tribe then decided to relocate the franchise to Fresno, naming the team the Central Valley Coyotes.
Coyote HistorySeason (head coach) Record
2002 Bakersfield (James Fuller) 9-7 (playoffs 0-1)
2003 Bakersfield (James Fuller) 8-7-1(playoffs 0-1)
2004 Central Valley(Cree Morris - Biletnikoff Jr.) 3-13

FAMILIAR FACE, FAMILIAR PLACE: It will be a home coming of sorts for two Coyote coaches and two players that were a part of the original franchise and the new Blitz franchise. Central Valley defensive coordinator Steven G. Folmar was a part of the Bakersfield coaching staff the past three seasons and new secondary coach was a defensive specialist for the Blitz from 2002-2004. Coyote offensive/Defensive linemen Ahmad Bhatti and Oscar Greada each played with the Blitz for three seasons.

WEST HEADS EAST: With the departure of the Hawaiian Islanders, the Coyote's Western division took new shape. While Bakersfield, Central Valley and San Diego remain, the realigned division now features the Rio Grande Valley Dorados and the Tulsa Talons.

SLOW STARTERS: The Coyotes held the lead at halftime just twice last season (vs. Rio Grande Valley 21-12 on May 15, 2004 and vs. San Diego 27-6 on July 30, 2004). The Coyotes were 1-13 when trailing at halftime.

NOT SO SWEET HOME: Selland Arena has been particularly kind to visiting teams. Since the arena's first indoor football game, (Los Angeles Avengers vs. Houston ThunderBears on June 9, 2001) the home team holds a 6-11 record.

Selland Arena Home team Home record
2001 Houston ThunderBears 0-1
2003 Fresno Frenzy 4-4
2004 Central Valley Coyotes 2-6

COYOTE NEWCOMERS TO WATCH:

WR/DB-OS Latario Rachal: A multi-talented receiver, who played in 25 games for the San Diego Chargers in 1997 and 1998, will be in his first season as a wide receiver/defensive back with the Coyotes in 2005. He could also see some time at offensive specialist. Rachal was virtually unheard of when signed by the San Diego Chargers in 1997 as a rookie free agent, Rachal made the Charger's final roster by his outstanding special teams play as return and cover man. In his first NFL preseason game, he returned a 77 yard punt for a touchdown. In his rookie year, Rachal ranked third on the team with 15 kickoff returns for 336 yards in 14 games. He also led the Chargers in special teams tackles with 14 despite missing two games with a broken bone in his right forearm. Rachal's speed gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents on punt returns in his second season in San Diego. In addition to 11 kickoff returns for 192 yards, Rachal returned 32 punts for 387 yards in 11 games. Prior to joining the Chargers, Rachal was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League in 1997. A former Fresno State Bulldog, Rachal played last season in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders. While in Calgary, Rachal caught 11 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown. He also had eight kickoff returns for 155 yards.

DS Joshua Robinson: An experienced defender who spent last season with the af2's Hawaiian Islanders, started all 16 games while leading the team defensively in tackles with 105 tackles and interceptions with seven. The defensive specialist played particularly well against Central Valley last season, earning defensive player of the game honors in both games against the Coyotes. In the second meeting on May 22, 2004 he recorded a career-high 11 solo tackles.

OL/DL Ricky Gaspar: A lineman with an extremely quick first move who played with the Tri-City Diesel of the National Indoor Football League last season, will be in his first year with the Coyotes in 2005. The af2 rookie will bring added depth to the offensive/defensive lineman position. Gaspar was a defensive lineman at Linfield (Ore.) College where was a three-time first-team all-conference selection while earning Division III All-West Region honors. During his three years at Linfield, the team captain helped lead the Wildcats to a 30-4 record



FRESNO CONNECTIONS: The Coyote's have several players with local connections including three Fresno State Bulldogs: OL/DL Ahmad Bhatti, FB/LB JaJuan Huddleston, and WR/DB Latario Rachal. Coyote WR/DB LaMonte Jones, was a wide receiver at Fresno City College, where Coyote head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. is a offensive coordinator during the offseason.


SCORING MACHINE: WR/DB LaMonte Jones has scored a touchdown in 13 of his 16 games as a Coyote. Jones recorded a total of 18 touchdowns on the season.


RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
3/28 Released WR/DB Harbert BriscoeWR/DB B'Jay JonesFB/LB Jabari JacksonOL/DL Dewayne JohnsonFB/LB Kevin Thomas
3/25 Assigned OL/DL Ahmad BhattiK John GockmanOL/DL Micha Jackson-Sattler
3/25 Released WR/DB Lee FinnieOL/DL Ben Unutoa
3/24 Assigned FB/LB Jabari Jackson
3/24 Traded OL/DL Eric Everley
3/24 Released QB Orlando EvansOL/DL Antwan HarrisDS Daniel Jones
3/22 Assigned QB Chad Munson
3/21 Left Squad WR/DB Terrell Colbert











LAST GAME (international exhibition):

COYOTES OVERCOME OVERSTAYERS, 91-18

FRESNO (March 27) -- The Coyote's defense found the end zone three times while offensive specialist Latario Rachal added four scores of his own in a 91-18 victory over the New Zealand Overstayers in their opening exhibition game at Sellend Arena.

"It felt good to be out on the field after a year away from the contact," said Rachal, who is a former Fresno State Bulldog. "I feel that our hard practices really prepared us for tonight."

Before the Coyote's offense, who scored on nine of their 10 offensive possessions, even took the field, they held a 14-0 advantage off of two interception returns for touchdowns. Marvin Owens took a 19-yarder for a score on their first defensive series and Joshua Robinson returned a 26-yarder on their second.

On the following New Zealand possession, Quarterback Joseph Toilolo responded with a 45-yard strike to wide receiver Jimmy Thomas to give the Overstayers their only score of the first half.

Coyote quarterback Juston Wood, who completed his first four attempts, played most of the first half completing 8-of-11 passes for 94 yard and three touchdowns.

"This game helped us evaluate some things but I still think that we have a ways to go," Wood said. "We still have to have a good week of practice to prepare for next week's opener."

Wood's first touchdown was a 14-yard toss to second-year wide receiver LaMonte Jones that gave the Coyotes a commanding 21-6 lead. The second was a 2-yarder caught by Rachal.

On the next New Zealand drive the Coyote defense found the endzone for the third time in their fourth series when offensive lineman Oscar Grajeda returned a 17-yard interception for a score, giving the Coyotes a 35-6 advantage. It was the first interception of Grajeda's four year career.

"I was just at the right place, at the right time," Grajeda said. "Mike (Duncan) made the tip and I took advantage of it."

The Central Valley defense continued to be effective, forcing the Overstayers to turn it over on downs their final two possessions of the half.

The Coyotes went into intermission with a commanding 49-6 lead at the half after a DeRonn Finley 3-yard touchdown catch and a JaJuan Huddleston 11-yard run.

The second half was dominated by offensive specialist Latario Rachal and wide receiver/defensive back Michael Duncan as they were responsible for all five touchdowns scored in the third quarter.

Rachal caught two touchdowns from Chad Munson and also returned a 39-yard kickoff for a score after the Coyotes recorded a safety on a blocked 53-yard field goal attempt.

Duncan had a 24-yard interception return that set up a touchdown and added a 20-yard interception return for a score two possessions later to put Central Valley up 77-6.

New Zealand scored on their next offensive possession with a Jasan Vaka touchdown reception to make it 77-12. After JaJuan Huddleston recorded his second score of the day, Overstayer quarterback Joeseph Toilolo connected with Albert Bernard for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 84-18.

Jabari Jackson added an 11-yard touchdown run with under a minute to go to extend the Coyotes lead to 91-18.

The Coyotes current roster which is at 25 players needs to cut to 21 tomorrow.

"This game has made some of our decisions a lot tougher," head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. said. "All of these guys really showed good enthusiasm tonight."

The Coyotes will open the regular on Saturday, April 2, as they travel to Bakersfield to take on the defending Western Division champion Bakersfield Blitz. That contest will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be broadcast on KFIG 1430 AM.


NEW ZEALAND 6 0 6 6 -- 18
CENTRAL VALLEY 28 21 20 22 -- 91



THE COYOTES WERE ...
· 2-6 at Selland Arena
· 1-7 on the road
· 1-0 when they score more than 50 points
· 1-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 2-8 when they allow less than 60 points
· 2-6 when they allow less than 50 points
· 2-2 when they allow less than 40 points
· 2-7 when they score first
· 2-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 1-10 when they commit more turnovers
· 1-4 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 1-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 2-5 when Kennyatte Morgan scores two or more TDs
· 3-10 when Kenyatte Morgan catches 6 or more passes
· 1-4 when LaMonte Jones scores two or more TDs
· 1-3 when LaMonte Jones catches six or more passes
· 1-7 when they commit fewer penalties
· 3-7 when they record at least one sack
· 0-3 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
· 2-3 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 1-3 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 2-0 when leading at halftime
· 0-13 when trailing at halftime
· 1-0 when tied at halftime

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH BAKERSFIELD:

BLITZ DEFENSIVE LINE SHUTS DOWN COYOTES, 45-19

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 17, 2004) -- The Bakersfield Blitz defensive line was constantly in the Central Valley Coyotes backfield disrupting, passing plays all night long. The result was four Blitz sacks for a loss of 16-yards and seven quarterback pressures. The Blitz offense took control of the game in the second half and never looked back securing a, 45-19 victory. The loss now drops the Coyotes to 1-13 on the season.

Frank Borba started the game for the Coyotes completing 13-of-28 passes for 158 yards, 2 interceptions and two TDs. When the game was out of reach Juston Wood completed the game, finishing the night with 35-yards and 1 TD on 2-of-6 passing.

The Coyotes were able to move the ball on their opening drive into Blitz territory on the twenty, but two plays later Frank Borba was sacked and fumbled the ball into a Bakersfield defenders hands.

The Blitz drove all the way down to the Coyotes one yard line, but had the door slammed on them on fourth down, and the Coyotes retained possession.

Frank Borba guided Central Valley back into Bakersfield territory on the 17 yard line, but the Blitz defense held strong on third down and forced Justin Levine to attempt a 32-yard field goal. Levine's field goal missed left and Nathan Munson returned the kick all the way back to the Central Valley twenty. A kick catch interference call on the Coyotes would move the ball forward five yards to the Central Valley 15.

Two plays later Bakersfield quarterback Chad Elliott hooked up with Steve Wofford on the Central Valley three yard line too end the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter Steve Wofford finished off the job rushing the ball into the endzone for the Bakersfield score

The Coyotes were able to strike back on their next possession on a 3-play, 42-yard drive that was capped off by a LaMonte Jones 11-yard TD reception.

Chad Elliott and the Blitz drove down to the Coyotes eighteen yard line aided by a Coyotes penalty and a nine yard gain by Rennard Reynolds. Elliott then threw an 18 yard TD pass to Reynolds. Brian Walker missed the extra point and the score stood at 13-7 in favor of the Blitz.

Each team was unsuccessful scoring on their following drives, with Central Valley having a pass intercepted and Bakersfield missing a 42-yard field goal.

The Coyotes were stopped again defensively when Kevin Carroll sacked Borba on 4th-and-15 from their own 15.

Bakersfield punched the ball in three plays later on a Nathan Munson 2-yard run. On the next Coyotes possession things got out of control on 1st-and-10 from their own 20. Sandy Pua and Kevin Carroll were ejected
from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. Three plays later Borba was picked off by Eric Mahanke at the Bakersfield eight.

Chad Elliott completed two passes to Eric Mahanke as time expired in the first half with the score at 19-7 in favor of the Blitz.

The Central Valley defense held strong on the opening series in the second half. On third down-and-three from the Bakersfield fifteen yard line, newly acquired offensive/defensive lineman Clint Merz sacked Elliott forcing the kicking unit to come out on fourth down.

The Coyotes took over on offense at their own one yard line. Borba completed a pass to Marvin Brown for a gain of three yards on first down, and that would be the only pass he could complete on the series. Kicker, Justin Levine came out to attempt a 61-yard field, but missed left and Nathan Munson returned it back 50 yards for his second touchdown of the game.

Each team scored on their next offensive possession as the Coyotes scored on a JaJuan Huddleston 12-yard TD reception and the Blitz scored on a Steve Wofford 32-yard TD reception to leave the score at, 13-32 as the third quarter of play ended.

Central Valley had a tough fourth quarter, on their opening play of the fourth quarter Frank Borba was picked off by Mel Miller at the Coyotes 24-yard line.

Bakersfield would punch in another touchdown on a Ben McCombs 1-yard run.

Central Valley would give up another seven points to the Blitz before they finally found the endzone on a LaMonte Jones 26-yard touchdown reception.

An onside kick would be unsuccessful and Bakersfield would run out the clock to end the game.


CENTRAL VALLEY (1-13) 0 7 6 6 -- 19
BAKERSFIELD (10-4) 0 19 13 13 -- 45

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from March 29, 2005


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.

Other Recent Central Valley Coyotes Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central