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Central Valley Coyotes game notes

April 20, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Arkansas Twisters at Central Valley Coyotes
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Fresno, Calif.
Arena: Selland Arena (8,911)
Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 (Antoine Ibrahim, Marcas Grant)
Series Record: Twisters lead 1-0 (1-0 in playoffs)
Last Meeting: Arkansas 36, Bakersfield 28 (playoffs) – August 2, 2003, Alltel Arena
Officials: Steve Strimling (R), Torrance Crable (U), Steve Hoslett (HL), Mike Cuttone (LJ), Greg Toler (BJ)
Head Coaches: Central Valley – Fred Bilietnikoff Jr. (second season, 3-6) Arkansas – Gary Anderson (fifth season, 30-36)

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: The two teams have not met since the Coyotes moved to Fresno in 2004. In 2003, while the franchise was in Bakersfield and known as the Blitz, the teams played twice. The first was a regular season contest in Bakersfield that Arkansas won 44-37 on May 17, 2003. The teams would meet again in the first-round of the playoffs on August 2, 2003. In that game, the Twisters won a thriller, 36-28 at Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Ark.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
April 2 @ Bakersfield Win 33-20
April 16 @ Oklahoma City Loss 48-41
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

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-2)
Date Opponent Result Score
April 9 Oklahoma City Loss 71-48
April 15 @ Memphis Loss 54-13
April 23 @ Central Valley 7:30
April 30 Florida 5:00
May 7 Green Bay 5:00
May 14 @ South Georgia 4:30
May 21 Birmingham 5:00
May 28 @ Macon 4:30
June 4 Memphis 5:00
June 10 @ Bakersfield 7:00
June 18 South Georgia 5:00
June 25 @ Tulsa 5:00
July 9 @ Florida 4:30
July 16 Macon 5:00
July 23 @ Birmingham 5:00
July30 Amarillo 5:00

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 last week's loss: "It was an extremely tough game, I thought that we played well enough to win, but we are far from being where we want to be. Oklahoma City is a difficult place to play and we had a chance to take one."

Biletnikoff Jr. on the Twisters: "They are a team that struggled during their first two games but definitely have players that could turn things around quickly. In addition, their coach has a lot of experience so we know that he will prepare his team well."

Biletnikoff Jr. on playing at home for the first time this season: "Coming back to Selland will be a pleasant change because we won't be distracted by things that come with playing on the road. The last time we played here the crowd was great. Hopefully we can get them excited again."


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 stay home for a second-straight week when they take on the Bakersfield Blitz for the second time this season. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1430 AM.

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.


THE "IF" SECTION
If the Coyotes defeat Arkansas it would:
- give them their first-ever win against the Twisters
- mark their fourth win in their last five games
- give them a share of first place in the West division
- be the third home-opening win in franchise history
- give them a two-game home win streak
- be their third-ever game won at Selland Arena

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) 1-1

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 0-1 when trailing at the break and 1-0 when leading.

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 Michael Duncan: A two-way star that is generally known for his defensive skills, Duncan has proved that he can be an offensive asset. In two games, Duncan leads the team in receptions with 10 for 79 yards but has yet to record a touchdown. Prior to joining the Coyotes, Duncan played six games with Rio Grande Valley and five with Tulsa. He racked in 34 tackles and four interceptions on defense and 28 catches for 452 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense in all 11 games. In 2002, Duncan played in 10 games with the San Diego Riptide while recording 55 tackles and three interceptions. As the Coyotes prepare to play and Arkansas defense that has allowed over 60 points a game, look for Duncan to find his way into the endzone for the first time this year.

WR/DB DeRonn Finley: Finley looks to redeem himself after coming up two yards short of a first down on the potential game-tying final drive against Oklahoma City last week. He has caught nine passes in his first two games as a Coyote. In 15 games with the Green Bay Blizzard last year, Finley led the team in receptions with 83 and touchdowns with 25. He also returned 23 kicks for 391 yards and one score.

FB/LB Vai Notoa: A powerful back, who spent the past two season's with the af2's Hawaiian Islanders, Notoa led the Coyotes rushing attack with 28 yards on just eight carries. He also recorded a 14-yard touchdown reception in week one against Bakersfield. The key offseason acquisition was Hawaii's all-time leading rusher with 200 yards on 67 carries and 20 rushing touchdowns. The fullback should be seeing some defense this week as the Coyotes hope to apply extra pressure on the Arkansas offense. In 28 games with the Islanders, Notoa racked up 59 tackles, four sacks, two blocked kicks, two forced fumbles and a safety.

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 17 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 COME UP SHORT, 48-41

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16) -- Juston Wood threw four touchdowns and recovered another during a 48-41 loss to the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at Ford Center on Saturday night. Central Valley drops to 1-1 while Oklahoma City improves to 2-1.

"It was a hard fought game that could have gone either way," head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. said. "We just came up just a few plays short."

Both offenses came alive early despite numerous penalties, each scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. Juston Wood recovered fumbled exchange to Vai Notoa that rolled into the endzone from the two yard line, while Oklahoma City QB Craig Strickland found Al Hunt on a 25-yard pass to make it 7-7. Wood responded with a five-yard touchdown to George Williams but the Yard Dawgz blocked the ensuing extra point. Oklahoma City wide receiver Brandon Daniels caught the first of his three touchdowns, a 43-yard grab, to give the Yard Dawgz a 14-13 lead.

Wood, who was 24-of-37 for 239 yards, added one more score in the second quarter by hitting Ahmad Bhatti for his first touchdown of the season, a 19-yard reception. Chris Toney rumbled in from a one-yard score Oklahoma City to give the Yard Dawgz a 21-20 halftime lead.

Daniels opened up the third quarter with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Strickland but the Oklahoma only held a 27-20 advantage after a Dylan Pohlman missed the extra point.

The Coyotes answered with two scores after a Marvin Brown 14-yard touchdown reception and a Clint Merz fumble recovery in the endzone after an Ahmad Bhatti sack to put the Central Valley up 34-27 with 5:10 left in the third quarter.

Strickland hooked up with Daniels for a third time, this time on a fourth-and-12 from the Coyote 21 yard line to tie the game at 34. That play proved to be the difference as the Yard Dawgz were able to force the Coyotes to attempt a 43-yard field goal that went wide left.

Oklahoma City took the lead, 41-34, the following drive on a one-yard Eric Daniels run. The drive was aided by a holding penalty on Joshua Robinson on a third-and-eight from the Coyote nine yard line.

Wood found Arceneaux with 2:14 left in the game to tie the game for the fourth time but Oklahoma City's Jarrail Jackson took the ensuing kickoff back for a 57-yard touchdown to give the Yard Dawgz the lead for good.

The Coyotes had their final drive stopped with 16 seconds left when DeRonn Finley came up two yards short on a fourth down-and-14 at the Coyotes 18 yard line.

CENTRAL VALLEY (1-1) 13 7 14 7 -- 41
OKLAHOMA CITY (2-1) 7 14 13 14 -- 48

THE COYOTES ARE ...
· 0-0 at Selland Arena
· 1-1 on the road
· 0-0 when they score more than 50 points
· 0-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 1-1 when they allow less than 60 points
· 1-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 0-1 when they score first
· 1-1 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
· 0-1 when they commit fewer penalties
· 1-1 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
· 0-1 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 1-0 when leading at halftime
· 0-1 when trailing at halftime
· 0-0 when tied at halftime


PREVIOUS MEETING WITH ARKANSAS:

BLITZ SEASON COMES TO AN END, 36-28

LITTLE ROCK (August 2, 2003) -- The Arkansas Twisters scored 26 straight points and held off the Bakersfield Blitz 36-28 Saturday night in their first-ever playoff game at the Alltel Arena. With the win, the Twisters advance to the second round of the Arena Cup Playoffs to face the Quad City Steamwheelers.

QB Ricky Hebert completed 13 of 24 passes for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns, while OS Kevin Williams caught 5 for 86 and 2 scores to lead the way for the Twisters. Ryan Sloth caught 5 for 78 and 2 TD's, and Eric Mahanke hauled in 7 for 67 yards in the loss for Bakersfield.

Sloth opened up the scoring at 12:55 of the first for Bakersfield, catching a 17 yard pass from QB Chad Elliott to give Bakersfield the early 7-0 edge.

That would be all the scoring until 10:18 of the second quarter, when Jon Baker connected on a 30-yard field goal to extend the Blitz lead to 10-0.

Arkansas responded at 8:12, as Lennie Johnson hauled in a 35 yard touchdown strike from Ricky Hebert. The extra point was no good, so Bakersfield led 10-6.

Vernon Robiskie then gave the Twisters their first lead of the game with 1:52, rumbling in from 7 yards out to make it a 12-10 game. Mark Norris added the extra point to give Arkansas a 13-10 lead at the half.

The second half would start just like the first half ended, as Ricky Hebert punched it in from 2 yards away to extend the Twisters lead. The two point conversion attempt by Kahlil Carter was no good, so the score remained 19-10 in favor of the Twisters.

Then, at 4:35 of the third frame, Hebert fired a bomb 45 yards to Kevin Williams for another touchdown to give the Twisters a double-digit lead. Mark Norris' extra point was good, and the Arkansas led 26-10.

Bakersfield would then score to conclude the third quarter, as Nick Onaindia got a 13 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion pass was incomplete, and Arkansas led 26-16 at the end of three quarters.

Hebert would then connect with Kevin Williams again early in the fourth on a 19 yard pass at 11:49 of the frame. Mark Norris split the uprights on the point after, and the Twisters' lead grew to 17 at 33-16.

The Blitz would respond at 7:04, as QB Jeff Dover hit receiever Ryan Sloth on a 6 yard score. Jon Baker's extra point missed wide left, and Arkansas' lead was trimmed to 11 at 33-22.

Then, Bakersfield would strike again at 5:15. Following a Delvin Myles interception, Nick Onaindia got his second rushing TD of the game, this one from 2 yards out to pull the Blitz within 5 at 33-28. The two point attempt was intercepted by Anthony Eubanks, preserving the lead for Arkansas.

Mark Norris would then add a huge insurance field goal with just 54 seconds remaining to secure the win for the Twisters. Faced with a 4th-and-long, Norris came in and drilled a 46-yarder to give the Twisters the 8-point advantage at set the final at 36-28.

Ricky Hebert was awarded Game MVP honors, while Kahlil Carter's interception and 6 passes defended won him ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Lennie Johnson garnered Game Ironman Honors, with 54 yards receiving and 1 touchdown on offense and some big hits on defense.

The win was the first playoff win in team history for Arkansas and head coach Gary Anderson, and it puts the Twisters in the second round of the AF2 Arena Cup Playoffs. Arkansas will travel to Quad City next weekend in a huge showdown against the Steamwheelers.


BAKERSFIELD (9-8) 7 3 6 12 -- 28
ARKANSAS (10-7) 0 13 13 10 -- 36

"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 FB/LB Vai Notoa (C.V.)2 tackles, one sack, 2TDs
3 @ Oklahoma City FB/LB Al Hunt (OKC)5 receptions, 45yds, 4.5 tack.

"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
3 @ Oklahoma City FB/LB Clint Merz (C.V.)4 tackles, one TD recovery

"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
3 @ Oklahoma City WR/LB Brandon Daniels(OK)6 catches, 120 yards, 3 TD's



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