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Central Valley Coyotes game notes

April 26, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Bakersfield Blitz at Central Valley Coyotes
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Fresno, Calif.
Arena: Selland Arena (8,911)
Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 AM (Antoine Ibrahim, Marcas Grant)
Series Record: Blitz lead 4-1
Last Meeting: Central Valley 33, Bakersfield 20 – April 2, 2005, Rabobank Arena
Officials: Mike Weseloh (R), Ali Shetula (U), Clay Reynard (HL), Danny Short (LJ), Greg Toler (BJ)
Head Coaches: Central Valley – Fred Bilietnikoff Jr. (second season, 4-6) Bakersfield – Rick Van Horne (second season, 12-7)

2005 COYOTES: Although Central Valley struggled last season to a 3-13 record, they look to match their 2004 win total in just their fourth game. Coyote head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr., who took over as head coach last mid-season, hopes his new-look squad can maintain a share of first place in the West Division by recording their second win of the season against the division-rival Blitz, who swept the Coyotes last season. QB Juston Wood, who threw six touchdowns and ran another in for a score against Arkansas last week, seems to be finding his rhythm. Additional returnees, WR/LB Marvin Brown and WR/DB LaMonte Jones have combined for 14 catches for 165 yards this year. The team has found "instant offense" with the acquisitions of experienced WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux, and WR/LB George Williams, as each of them recorded three TD's in last weeks victory, which was just their second time in the lineup. The team has gotten a boost defensively with the additions of DS's, Marvin Owens and Joshua Robinson, who is the team's leading tackler with 20. FB/LB Clint Merz is emerging as one the Coyote's best pass rusher as he batted down two balls and blocked a kick the last time they played the Blitz. On the front line, fourth-year veteran Oscar Grajeda and third-year star Ahmad Bhatti have provided experience. WR/DB DeRonn Finley, is helping fill the void that OS Kenyatte Morgan left while leading the team with 13 catches and one kick return for a score. WR/DB Michael Duncan is poised to become the team's top two-way star as he has recorded 11 receptions and five tackles on the year. FB/LB Vai Notoa, who was Hawaii's all-time leading rusher last season, leads the rushing attack with 28 yards on eight carries and one touchdown.
THE SERIES: The Coyotes recorded their first-ever win against the Blitz in their season opener just three weeks ago, 33-20. Last season the Blitz won both games at Selland Arena, a 65-48 contest on April 10, 2004 and a 41-25 game on May, 29. The Coyotes dropped a close one on June 19, 33-26 at Centennial Garden and the Blitz pulled off the season sweep by beating them again in Bakersfield 49-15 on July 17, 2004.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (2-1)
Date Opponent Time(P) Radio
April 2 @ Bakersfield Win 33-20
April 16 @ Oklahoma City Loss 48-41
April 23 Arkansas Win 71-41
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 (1-2)
Date Opponent Time(P) Score
April 2 Central Valley Loss 33-20
April 15 San Diego Win 57-30
April 22 Rio G. Valley Loss 40-32
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 Bossier-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 last weeks 71-41 win against Arkansas: "I felt like our guys were really clicking on all cylinders. We knew that Arkansas had some trouble executing in the second half of their previous games. We wanted to take advantage of that and we did."

Biletnikoff Jr. on the importance of this week's game: "Not only do we have a chance to go two games above the .500 mark but we also have a chance to go 2-0 in the division. To beat a team that swept us last season for a second time would be a huge confidence-builder for our guys."

Biletnikoff Jr. on having to face QB Jason Thomas: "This is a very different team than that we faced three weeks ago especially now that they have gone a different direction at quarterback. Thomas is a great athlete who we got a couple of looks at in our last game. We have to make sure that we keep an eye on his running abilities."


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 hit the road again as they travel back to Oklahoma to take on the Tulsa Talons on May 7 at the Tulsa Convention Center. That game will kick off at 6 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 Bakersfield it would:
- be their fifth win in their last six games
- be their third-consecutive home victory
- give them a share of first place in the West division
- be their second-consecutive win against the Blitz
- give them a two-game win streak
- be their fourth-ever home victory 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 C. Valley (Biletnikoff Jr.) 2-1

FAMILIAR FACE, FAMILIAR PLACE: Central Valley defensive coordinator Steven G. Folmar was a part of the Bakersfield coaching staff the past three seasons and new secondary coach Delvin Myles was a defensive specialist for the Blitz from 2002-2004. Coyote offensive/defensive linemen Ahmad Bhatti and Oscar Grajeda 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, winning both games (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 in 2004. This season the Coyotes are 2-0 when leading at the break and 0-1 when trailing.

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 7-11 record.

Selland Arena Home team Home record
2001 Houston ThunderBears 0-1
2003 Fresno Frenzy 4-4
2004 Central Valley Coyotes 2-6
2005 Central Valley Coyotes 1-0

COYOTE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WR/LB Wes Borba: A two-way talent that played seven games with the Coyotes last season, Borba is currently the team's second leading tackler with 11. Last season, Borba recorded 22 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns at receiver and recorded 25 tackles defensively. Borba has made his presence felt on special teams with superb blocking an tackling. Look for Borba to make a big play on defense against a new-look Bakersfield offense.

WR/LB Marvin Owens: Brown returns to the Coyotes for his second season with the team. As a rookie last year, Brown caught 29 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns in eight games before breaking his left arm. He also tallied 20 tackles and one sack on defense. He will line up at "jack-back" this weekend where he has recorded four and a half tackles. The returnee has already recorded eight receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns on offense and has seen some looks on special teams.

K John Gockman: The rookie kicker is 4-of-6 on field goals and 15-of-17 on extra points which makes him the Coyotes leading scorer with 27. Gockman, transferred to the University of Illinois after he redshirted as a walk-on at the University of Iowa. In 2001 Gockman was Illinois' long-field goal specialist, connecting on five-of-seven attempts no shorter than 43 yards including a streak of four in a row. He finished his career at Illinos connecting on all 23 of his PAT's and 24-of-36 of his field goals. Gockman also attended Joliet Junior College where he hit 7-of-10 field goal attempts and 21 of his 24 extra points.



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 14 of his 18 games as a Coyote. Jones has one touchdown on the season.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
4/21 Short-term IR OL/DL Dwayne Tauiliili
4/21 Activated OL/DL Joel Tautuaa
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 (international exhibition):

COYOTES TOPPLE TWISTERS, 71-41

FRESNO (April 27) -- The Central Valley Coyotes (2-1) scored 30 points in the fourth quarter in their home opener to hand the Arkansas Twisters (0-3) their third consecutive loss, 71-41, and maintain a share of first place in the Western Division.

Juston Wood threw six touchdown passes, three to "Offensive Player of the Game" WR/LB George Williams, and ran in another for a score during the onslaught of points, which was the most scored by a home team in Selland Arena history.

After the two teams traded scores early to make it make it 7-7, Wood threw his second touchdown of the night to Anthony Arcenaux to give Central Valley a 10-7 lead.

Arkansas tied the game at 20 when Loren Jackson caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Chris Windsor with 2:50 left in the half.

After a 50-yard Deronn Finley kickoff return, the Twisters knotted the game at 27 with a Kevin Williams 22-yard touchdown reception.

George Williams scored the first of his three touchdowns with 10 seconds left in the half to give the Coyotes a 34-27 lead.

Anthony Arceneaux opened the second half with a 17-yard touchdown from Wood, while Arkansas' Loren Jackson answered with another to cut the deficit to 44-33 after a missed extra point.

The fourth quarter opened with a 20-yard John Gockman field goal. At that point the Coyote defense took over, recording three consecutive stops.

The first was an Anthony Arceneaux interception off a Josh Robinson tip, which led to a George Williams 13-yard catch for a score. Williams scored again on the next drive with a 15-yard catch after the Coyotes took over on downs. The third stop was a 43-yard Joshua Robinson interception return that put Central Valley in control 65-33.

The play helped Robinson, who also recorded five tackles, earn "Defensive Player of the Game" honors.

The two teams would trade touchdowns in the final minute, including an Arcenaux 4-yard catch from Chad Munson to help him earn "Ironman" honors.



ARKANSAS (0-3) 10 17 6 8 -- 41
CENTRAL VALLEY (2-1) 13 21 7 30 -- 71





THE COYOTES ARE ...
· 1-0 at Selland Arena
· 1-1 on the road
· 1-0 when they score more than 50 points
· 1-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 2-1 when they allow less than 60 points
· 2-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 0-1 when they score first
· 2-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-0 when they commit more turnovers
· 1-0 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 0-0 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 1-0 when George Williams scores two or more TDs
· 0-0 when George Williams catches 6 or more passes
· 1-0 when Marvin Brown catches six or more passes
· 1-0 when Via Notoa scores two or more TDs
· 1-1 when they commit fewer penalties
· 2-1 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
· 2-0 when leading at halftime
· 0-1 when trailing at halftime

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH BAKERSFIELD:

COYOTES BOOTS 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.

"It seems like we really found our guy," head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. said of Gockman. "To come into your first-ever arena game and kick like that is outstanding."

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.

"I thought it was going to be a long night for him," Biletnikoff Jr. said. "It was the complete opposite."

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.

"Their front line made a statement early with those two fourth-and-one stops." Biletnikoff said.

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.

"After the blocked field goal and the fumble recovery to start the second half, there was no turning back." Biletnikoff said.

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



AF2 2005 LEAGUE STANDINGS:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
West Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Coyotes 2 1 0 .666 151 109
Tulsa 2 1 0 .666 171 150
San Diego 1 2 0 .333 125 169
Bakersfield 1 2 0 .333 109 103
Rio Grande Valley 1 2 0 .333 112 151

Midwest Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Memphis 4 0 0 1.000 243 102
Amarillo 2 1 0 .666 189 187
Quad City 2 1 0 .666 125 136
Oklahoma City 2 2 0 .500 209 209
Bossier-Shrev. 0 4 0 .000 170 246


AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Northeast Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Louisville 3 0 0 1.000 162 138
W.B./Scranton 3 1 0 .750 228 170
Green Bay 2 1 0 .500 124 118
Manchester 2 1 0 .500 141 128
Albany 0 3 0 .000 127 160

South Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Florida 4 0 0 1.000 172 125
Macon 2 2 0 .500 169 154
Arkansas 0 3 0 .000 102 202
South Georgia 0 3 0 .000 124 142
Birmingham 0 3 0 .000 131 185


THIS WEEK IN AF2 (all times Pacific):

Friday, April 29, 2005
Manchester at Macon 4:30 p.m.
Florida at Arkansas 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 30, 2005
Birmingham at Louisville 4:30 p.m.
Albany at South Georgia 4:30 p.m.
Green Bay at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Tulsa 5:00 p.m.
Memphis at Quad City 5:30
Bossier/Shreveport at Rio Grande Valley 5:30 p.m.
Amarillo at San Diego 7:00 p.m.




"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.
4 Arkansas WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux (C.V.)5 receptions, 38yds, 3TDs, 1 INT

"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
4 Arkansas DS Joshua Robinson (C.V.)5 tackles, 43yd INT return for TD

"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, 2TD's
3 @ Oklahoma City WR/LB Brandon Daniels(OK)6 catches, 120 yards, 3TD's
4 Arkansas WR/LB George Williams (C.V.)5 catches, 105 yards, 3TD's

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