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Central Valley Coyotes game notes

April 12, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Central Valley Coyotes at Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2005
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Arena: Ford Center (18,000)
Radio: ESPN AM 1430 (Antoine Ibrahim, Marcas Grant)
Series Record: Yard Dawgz lead 1-0
Last Meeting: Oklahoma City 69, Central Valley 35 – July 3, 2004, Ford Center
Officials: Tony Maranto (R), Allen Roulette (U), Marc Bovos (HL), Lee Ross (LJ), Derrick Rhone-Dunn (BJ)
Head Coaches: Central Valley – Fred Bilietnikoff Jr. (second season, 3-5) Oklahoma City – Jeff Jarnigan (first season, 1-1)

2005 COYOTES: Although 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 WR/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. The team also acquired some "instant offense" with experienced WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux and WR/LB George Williams. 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 was Hawaii's all-time leading rusher, will be their go-to back.

THE SERIES: In their lone meeting, the expansion Yard Dawgz won 69-35 on July 3, 2004. It was the second-most points given up by the Coyotes defense all year and the fourth-most points scored by an Oklahoma City offense that broke the 70-point mark three times during the season. The game marked the third-consecutive loss for Fred Biletnikoff Jr. who took over as interim-head coach two weeks prior. It was also QB Juston Wood's first game as a Coyote.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
April 2 @ Bakersfield Win 33-20
April 16 @ Oklahoma City 5:30 PT AM 1430
April 23 Arkansas 7:30 AM 1430
April 30 Bakersfield 7:30 AM 1430
May 7 @ Tulsa 5:00 AM 1430
May 14 Rio G. Valley 7:30 AM 1430
May 21 @ Amarillo 5:00 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 5:30 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

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (1-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
April 1 @ WB/Scranton Loss 59-47
April 9 @ Arkansas Win 71-48
April 16 Central Valley 5:30
April 23 Quad City 5:30
April 30 @ Tulsa 5:00
May 7 @ Memphis 5:00
May 21 Bossier-Shrev 5:30
May 28 @ Quad City 5:30
June 4 Rio G. Valley 7:00
June 11 Armarillo 7:00
June 18 @ Bossier-Shrev 5:00
June 25 @ Memphis 7:00
July 10 @ Amarillo 7:30
July 16 Louisville 5:00
July 23 @ Rio G. Valley 7:00
July30 Tulsa 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 the Yard Dawgz: "They were a very explosive team last season and seem to have that same type of offensive power. They have a quarterback that has some good experience so this should be a tough test for our team."

Biletnikoff Jr. on the week off: "It's always good to get a week's rest in but sometimes having the week off can get you out of sync. I think our guys should benefit from it since we had that much extra time to correct what we did wrong in our first game."

Biletnikoff Jr. on playing on the road: "It seems that this group of guys enjoys going on the road because it creates a strong sense of continuity between them. Traveling is sometimes hard, but having that extra time with each other can give you a chance to go over the game plan."


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 head home for the first time this season to take on the Arkansas Twisters. The 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
2005 Central Valley(Biletnikoff) 1-0

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) winning both of those games. The Coyotes were 1-13 when trailing at halftime in 2004. This season they are 1-0 when leading at the break.

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 Anthony Arceneaux: An experienced two-way player that will be entering his third season in af2 after spending two years with the Hawaiian Islanders, Arceneaux looks to make an immediate impact to the Coyotes offense. Last season, he was Hawaii's leading receiver with 65 catches for 1,026 yards and 26 touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 29 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and one score. The triple threat also had five kickoff returns for a touchdown. In his rookie season, Arceneaux played in 14 games while recording 27 catches for 408 yards and 8 touchdowns and 24 tackles and two interceptions on defense. While at the University of Utah, Arceneaux was a walk-on that impressed coaches during spring ball in 1999, Arceneaux made it on the same roster as his older brother, Darnell, who was starting quarterback for the Utes. In 2001, he played in five games where he played mostly special teams and recorded one catch for four yards. Arceneaux played wide receiver at St. Louis High School (Honolulu, Haw.) where he won two Prep Bowl state championship games. He also lettered in basketball.

WR/LB George Williams: Regarded as one of the best free agents available this offseason, Williams played for the af2's Manchester Wolves and Cape Fear Wildcats last season, totaling 91 receptions for 1184 yards and 25 touchdowns. The two-way he has had brief stints with the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators (2002) and Orlando Predators (2004). While at Butte Junior College (Chico, Calif.), Williams was a first-team Golden Valley selection before transferring to Kansas State in 1998. He played two seasons with the Wildcats as a back up wide receiver, compiling 202 yards and scoring a couple of touchdowns.

DS Marvin Owens: A talented defensive back that will be entering his second season in the arenafootball2 league, Owens was acquired by the Coyotes his off season through a trade with San Diego Riptide. He played his first season in the af2 for the Manchester Wolves last year while leading the team in nearly every defensive category. In his 15 games with the Wolves, Owens recorded 76 tackles, 16 batted balls, and five interceptions. All three stats were team highs. In addition to his defensive capabilities, he also caught 10 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown and returned four kickoffs for 17 yards. In the Coyotes opener against Bakersfield, Owens recorded three and a half tackles and an interception. He was a key component to leading the Coyotes to six-consecutive stops and a 31-0 run during the first three quarters of the game.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS: Central Valley has brought in several players to the mainland this season with the acquisition of three former Hawaiian Islanders. WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux, DS Joshua Robinson, and FB/LB Via Notoa all played for Hawaii last year, while offseason acquisition WR/DB Michael Duncan was born in Honolulu.


FRESNO CONNECTIONS: The Coyote's have several players with local connections including three Fresno State Bulldogs: OL/DL Ahmad Bhatti, and FB/LB JaJuan Huddleston. 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 last season.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
4/6 Activated WR/DB Lamonte JonesWR/LB George Williams
4/6 Released WR/LB Latario Rachal
4/6 Injured Reserved OL/DL Joel Tautuaa
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:

COYOTES BOOT BLITZ, 33-20
BAKERSFIELD (April 2) -- The Coyotes defense and special teams made sure that defensive coordinator Steven G. Folmar and secondary coach Delvin Myles had a victorious homecoming in their return to Bakersfield. John Gockman's three field goals and the special teams' two blocked kicks helped guide the Coyote's to a 33-20 victory at Rabobank Arena.

The victory puts Central Valley at 1-0 and gives them an early division lead.

Gockman, who was a long-field goal specialist at the University of Illinois, was 3-of-4 on field goals and a perfect 2-of-2 on extra points.

The rest of the Coyotes special teams contributed with a blocked field goal attempt for a safety in the third quarter and a blocked extra point attempt in the fourth.

Bakersfield seemed to be in control early as on the game's first series, the Blitz defense stuffed two Coyote one-yard run attempts on third and fourth down to take over at their own 20.

On the ensuing drive, the Blitz were able to go up 7-0 on a Chad Elliot-to-Rennard Reynolds seven-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the game.

The Coyotes responded with a 23-yard field goal with less than eight minutes left to make it 7-3. Gockman kicked ensuing kickoff out of bounds, drawing a penalty.

At that point, the Coyotes defense took over, making the first of six consecutive stops on a 42-yard missed field goal attempt.

Central Valley was unable to cash in on the first stop as they turned the ball over on downs after coming up short on a fourth-and-one for the second straight time.

The Coyotes defense responded when WR/LB Latario Rachal intercepted a Chad Elliot pass at mid-field.

The turnover would lead to a 20-yard Gockman field goal, a few minutes into the second quarter to bring the Coyotes within 7-6.

The Coyotes defense was able to force another turnover when DS Marvin Owens made an interception with 8:36 to go in the half.

Central Valley took advantage of the turnover with a Vai Notoa two-yard score as he plowed through the defense on a third-and-goal. An unsuccessful two-point attempt left the score at 12-7.

Another Blitz missed field goal gave the Coyotes the ball with 49 seconds left in the half.

Central Valley was unable to move the ball, which led to a 43-yard Gockman field goal attempt that went directly through the uprights as the halftime buzzer sounded, giving the Coyotes a 15-7 lead.

"That was a huge momentum builder," Biletnikoff Jr. said. "The way our defense was playing, we were glad to have a two-score advantage at that point."

The special teams set the tone in the second half when FB/LB Clint Merz blocked a 48-yard Dan Burnett field goal attempt that bounced into the endzone for a safety to make it 17-7.

On the ensuing drive FB/LB Vai Notoa got his second touchdown of the game when he caught a short pass and scampered 24 yards for the score to make it 24-7 with under seven minutes left in the third quarter.

WR/LB Wes Borba helped force the third Blitz turnover of the game when he recovered an Elliot fumble.

Quarterback Juston Wood found OS Marvin Brown for a 10-yard score to give the Coyotes a 31-7 lead with two minuets left in the third quarter.

The Blitz finally got on the board after a three-quarter scoring drought with 12:53 left to go in the game on a Rennard Reynolds 6-yard touchdown reception to make it 31-14.

The Coyotes added another safety and fumble recovery to seal the deal.

Blitz backup quarterback Jason Thomas added a late touchdown to make it 33-20.


CENTRAL VALLEY (1-0) 3 12 16 2 -- 33
BAKERSFIELD (0-1) 7 0 0 13 -- 20


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



PREVIOUS MEETING WITH OKLAHOMA:

YARD DAWGZ OFFENSE TOO MUCH FOR COYOTES, 69-35

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oak. (July 3, 2004) -- The Central Valley Coyotes opened up the first quarter with great field position thanks to a 38-yard return by Kenyatte Morgan which gave the Coyotes 1st-and 10 from the Oklahoma City 17 yard line. Newly acquired quarterback Juston Wood wasted no time at all completing his first three passes on the night. He hooked up with wide receiver Jajuan Huddleston on a one yard touchdown pass to give the Coyotes the lead 7-0.

The Yard Dawgz answered back with a score of their own with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Oklahoma City quarterback Craig Strickland to receiver Kris Peters. Following the PAT the scored was tied up at 7.

Central Valley's offense sputtered on their second drive from their own 10. Wood completed his first pass to Darnell Lacy for a 5-yard gain, but three consecutive incompletions including one on 4th-and-5 gave possession back to the Yard Dawgz.

Oklahoma City was aided by three Coyotes penalties to give themselves first-and-goal form the Coyotes 3. Quarterback Craig Strickland did the rest rushing the ball 3-yards for the touchdown and giving the Yard Dawgz the lead 14-7.

The Coyotes only needed one play to find the endzone as Wood hooked up with Kenyatte Morgan for a 40-yard touchdown. That left the score tied at 14 to end the first quarter.

The Yard Dawgz added three more scores to build up a 21-point lead. Daryl Richardson scored on a 2-yard run, Kris Peters caught his second touchdown pass of the game on a 6-yard reception and Damon Hodge intercepted a Juston Wood pass returning it 17-yards for the score.

Central Valley started their final possession of the half with :28 seconds remaining and the ball at their own 22. Wood found wide receiver Marvin Brown open up the left sideline of the field completing a 24-yard pass at the Oklahoma City 4. Three plays later and with only 3.6 seconds remaining on the clock Wood found Morgan open for the 4-yard TD pass as time expired in the half. A converted PAT by kicker Justin Levin put the score at 35-21 in favor of the Yard Dawgz.

Oklahoma City came out in the second half on fire needing only three plays to find the endzone. This time Strickland hooked up with Timon Marshall for a 36-yard touchdown pass to give Yard Dawgz a 42-21 lead.

The Coyotes drove the field on their following possession scoring on a 6-play, 39-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Juston Wood.

The Yard Dawgz found the endzone once again after being pushed back to 3rd-and-17 on the Coyotes 18. Strickland's next pass was tipped by defensive specialist Kendall Edwards, but found its way into the hands of Kris Peters for his third touchdown of the game.

The two teams traded a pair of touchdowns to begin the 4th quarter. The Coyotes scored on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Kenyatte Morgan from Wood and the Yard Dawgz scored on 45-yard touchdown pass from Strickland to Kris Peters.

The Yard Dawgz sealed their victory when defensive specialist Gana Joseph picked off a Juston Wood pass returning it back for a 21-yard touchdown.

Central Valley would fail to find the endzone again after Oklahoma City shut the Coyotes out twice on 4th down plays.

The Yard Dawgz added two more touchdowns to add to their lead. Strickland connected with Kris Peters for a 36 yard TD and Timon Marshall on a 6-yard touchdown.

Kendall Edwards intercepted a pass late in the game from Oklahoma City backup quarterback Joe Phears, but it was to little to late as the Coyotes were turned away from the endzone as time expired in the game.


CENTRAL VALLEY (1-11) 14 7 7 7 -- 35
BAKERSFIELD (8-4) 14 21 13 21 -- 69

"U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the two-way player who best demonstrated the ideals of the AFL's style of ironman football.

Week Opp. Ironman of the Game
1 @ Bakersfield RB/LB Vai Notoa (C.V.)2 tackles, one sack, 2TDs

"ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the most valuable to his team's defensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Defensive Player of the Game
1 @ Bakersfield DS Marvin Owens (C.V)3.5 tackles, 1 interception

"BABY RUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the most valuable to his team's offensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Offensive Player of the Game
1 @ Bakersfield QB Juston Wood (C.V.)19-of-46 164yds, 2 TD's



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