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Central Valley Coyotes game notes

May 17, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Central Valley Coyotes at Amarillo Dusters
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2005
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Amarillo, Tex.
Arena: Amarillo Civic Center (4,870)
Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 AM (Antoine Ibrahim, Marcas Grant)
Series Record: n/a
Last Meeting: n/a
Officials: Matt Loeffler (R), Michael Cooper (U), Gerald Woodruff (HL), Keith Gammond (LJ), Walt Coleman (BJ)
Head Coaches: Central Valley – Fred Bilietnikoff Jr. (second season, 6-7) Amarillo – Steve Perdue (first season, 4-2)

2005 COYOTES: Although Central Valley struggled last season to a 3-13 record, they have surpassed their 2004 win total (4) in just five games. 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 defeating the expansion Amarillo Dusters. QB Juston Wood seems to be finding his rhythm as he has thrown 26 touchdowns and rushed in two in his last four games. He broke the franchise record for passing yards in a game with 396 against Tulsa two weeks ago and added another 380 last week. Additional returnees include WR/LB Marvin Brown, WR/DB Lamonte Jones, who worked his way back into the lineup last week while recording a touchdown, and WR/LB Wes Borba, who has recorded a score in each of his last two games. The team has found "instant offense" with the acquisition WR/LB George Williams, as he has recorded 10 TD's in his last four games and is first on the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (493). 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 33. FB/LB Clint Merz is emerging as one the Coyote's best pass rusher as he has recorded 13 tackles in six games and blocked a couple of kicks. On the front line, fourth-year veteran Oscar Grajeda and third-year star Ahmad Bhatti have provided experience. WR/DB DeRonn Finley, who has become Wood's favorite target, is leading the offense with 10 touchdowns on 31 catches for 363 yards. He has also returned a kick return for a score. FB/LB Vai Notoa, who was Hawaii's all- time leading rusher last season, leads the rushing attack with 69 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.

THE DUSTERS: This is the first time-ever the Coyotes will meet the expansion Dusters. Amarillo brings in the league's highest-scoring offense as they are averaging 56 points per game. The team is also leads the league in total offense, averaging over 295 yards per game and in first downs, recording more than any other team with 123. The Dusters have also found success in the red-zone as they are second to the Coyotes in red-zone scoring with an 85.3 percent success rate.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (4-2)
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 Win 40-21
May 7 @ Tulsa Win 64-63
May 14 Rio G. Valley Loss 61-51
May 21 @ Amarillo 5:00 1430 AM
May 28 @ San Diego 7:00 1430 AM
June 4 Tulsa 7:30 1430 AM
June 11 San Diego 7:30 1430 AM
June 18 @ Rio G. Valley 6:30 1430 AM
June 24 @ Bakersfield 7:00 1430 AM
July 9 Bakersfield 7:30 1430 AM
July 16 @ San Diego 7:00 1430 AM
July 23 Memphis 7:30 1430 AM
July 30 San Diego 7:30 1430 AM

AMARILLO DUSTERS (4-2)
Date Opponent Time(P) Score
April 1 Tulsa Win 62-55
April 8 Memphis Loss 41-66
April 23 @ Bossier-Shrev. Win 86-66
April 30 @ San Diego Win 49-31
May 7 Quad City Win 57-48
May 14 @ Memphis Loss 40-46
May 21 Central Valley 5:00
May 28 @ Florida 4:30
June 4 South Georgia 5:00
June 11 @ Oklahoma City 5:30
June 18 Bakersfield 5:00
June 25 Bossier-Shrev. 5:00
July 10 Oklahoma City 1:00
July 16 @ Quad City 5:30
July 23 @ Tulsa 5:00
July30 @ Arkansas 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 weeks 61-51 loss to Rio Grande Valley: "We did not come out of the gates like we wanted to. You could tell our guys were a little lackluster, which can sometimes happen after an emotional victory like we had the week before. We really came apart in the fourth quarter and made way too many mistakes."

Biletnikoff Jr. on the getting ready for two consecutive road games: "We just need to continue to keep our focus. We have played some of our better games on the road this year so I don't see it being that big of a disadvantage. The real key will be keeping our errors down."

Biletnikoff Jr. on Amarillo: "This team knows how to air it out and we have to prepare for a high-scoring affair. They have a similar offense to ours and their quarterback spreads the ball out very well. The team that keeps their turnovers down will probably come out on top in this one."


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 on the road to take on division-rival San Diego at the San Diego Sports Arena on May 28. The game will kickoff at 7:00 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 Amarillo it would:
- be their seventh win in their last nine games
- give them a 1-0 series lead on the Dusters
- be their second-consecutive win on the road
- give the Coyotes a 2-1 record against non-divisional opponents

Coyote History
Season (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.) 4-2

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 3-1 when leading at the break and 1-1 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 8-12 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 2-1

"RED-N-BLACK" ZONE: The Coyotes rank first in the league in redzone scoring percentage as they have put up points on 17 of their 18 trips inside the 10-yard line. 13 of those scores have been touchdowns.

Team Success
Rate (%)
1. Central Valley Coyotes 17-of-18 94.4
2. Amarillo Dusters 29-of-34 85.3
3. S. Georgia Wildcats 26-of-31 83.9
4. Bakersfield Blitz 22-of-27 81.5



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 an offensive coordinator during the offseason.



COYOTE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux: The third-year star is anxious to get back on the field after missing the last three games with a fractured hand. In the two games that he has played this year, Arceneaux has been an important part of the Coyotes offense, catching 10 passes for 82 yard and four touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance versus the Arkansas Twisters. Defensivley, the two-way threat has recorded four tackles and an interception. Expect Arceneaux to play a major role on both sides of the ball, particularly on a Coyote defense that is still looking to fill the void that WR/DB Michael Duncan left when he went down with a spinal injury two weeks ago.

WR/DB DeRonn Finley: Finley lit up the scoreboard four times against Rio Grande Valley last week, and hopes to continue to get the looks he has gotten in the last couple of games. The second-year star hopes to find the same type of success on the defensive side of the ball this week against the league's top offense. Last season, with the Green Bay Blizzard, Finley led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He also recorded three interceptions on the other side of the ball. If the Coyotes are going to have any chance in keeping up with the Dusters offense they will need a balanced game out of Finley.

SCORING MACHINE: WR/DB LaMonte Jones has scored a touchdown in 15 of his 20 games as a Coyote. Jones has two touchdowns on the season.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
5/12 Activating from short-term IR WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux
5/12 Refuse to Report OL/DL Antoinio Dingle
5/11 Long-term IR WR/DB Michael Duncan
5/11 Activated OL/DL Antonio Dingle
5/4 Activated OL/DL Dwane Tauiliili
4/25 Short-term IR WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux
4/21 Short-term IR OL/DL Dwane Tauiliili
4/21 Activated OL/DL Joel Tautuaa
4/6 Activated WR/DB LaMonte Jones
WR/LB George Williams
4/6 Released WR/LB Latario Rachal
4/6 Injured Reserved OL/DL Joel Tautuaa
3/28 Released WR/DB Harbert Briscoe
WR/DB B'Jay Jones
FB/LB Jabari Jackson
OL/DL Dewayne Johnson
FB/LB Kevin Thomas
3/25 Assigned

OL/DL Ahmad Bhatti
K John Gockman
OL/DL Micha Jackson-Sattler
3/25 Released WR/DB Lee Finnie
OL/DL Ben Unutoa
3/24 Assigned FB/LB Jabari Jackson
3/24 Traded OL/DL Eric Everley
3/24 Released QB Orlando Evans
OL/DL Antwan Harris
DS Daniel Jones

LAST GAME:
DORADOS DOWN COYOTES, 61-51

FRESNO (May 14) - The Central Valley Coyotes (4-2) were unable to extend their three-game win streak as they committed five turnovers and allowed 33 fourth-quarter points to fall to the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (3-3), 61-51, at Selland Arena in front of a crowd of 2,256.

"The turnovers really came up and got us tonight," Coyote quarterback Juston Wood said. "They were able to take control when the game counted."

The Coyotes started on the right track with an 11-yard touchdown to WR/DB DeRonn Finley, who earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors to tie the game at seven.

Rio Grande regained the lead, 14-7 when QB Josh Kellett found Craig Cole for a 19-yard touchdown reception. It would be the Dorados last score of the half as the Coyote defense held them on the next three possessions.

WR/LB Wes Borba cut the Coyotes deficit to one after a 20-yard touchdown reception, but Central Valley was unable to tie it as a John Gockman field goal hit the left upright.

After a goaline stop by the Coyotes defense late in the second quarter, Gockman would redeem himself to hit a 26-yard field goal to give the Coyotes a 16-14 lead at the half.

The second half was when the Dorado defense took control.

On the Coyotes opening drive, WR/LB Deorrick Henry took a 36-yard interception in for a score to give Rio Grande Valley the lead back, 22-16. FB/LB Chris Robinson ran in a fake extra point to give a 23-16 advantage with 12:55 left in the third quarter.

Coyote QB Juston Wood caught fire, scoring on three consecutive possessions, including 24 and 34-yard touchdowns to Finley. The second score gave the Coyotes a 36-28 edge early in the fourth quarter.

Dorado QB Josh Kellett cut the lead to 36-34 after a two-yard rush for a touchdown while the Coyotes extended their lead to four in an unconventional manner when Marvin Brown returned a 55-yard interception on the two-point conversion to make it 38-34.

The Coyotes offense would begin to unravel, turning the ball over on three of their next four possessions.

Two were interceptions by Rio Grande Valley's Travis McAlpine who earned "Ironman of the Game" honors.

The first was an acrobatic grab that gave the Dorados the ball while nursing a 40-38 lead. On the prior play, Wood was hit hard by "Defensive Player of the Game" OL/DL Ben McCombs, who nearly jarred the ball loose on what was ruled as incomplete pass.

"We just weren't the same after that point," Wood said. "It wasn't that I was hurt, but it just turned the momentum around."

The Dorados defense capitalized on all three fourth-quarter turnovers by posting two more Craig Cole touchdown catches and another Josh Kellett rushing touchdown to give the Dorados a 47-38 advantage with 3:24 left in the game.

The final interception by McAlpine was capped with Cole's fourth touchdown of the night that put the game out of reach, 61-45.

Finley added his fourth score as time expired to pull the Coyotes to 61-51.

The Coyotes, who still maintain a share of first place in the West Division, will play the first of two consecutive road games when they travel to Amarillo this weekend to take on the Dusters. Kickoff is set for 5:00 (Pacific) and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1430 AM.


RIO G. VALLEY (3-3) 14 0 14 33 -- 61
CENTRAL VALLEY (4-2) 7 9 13 22 -- 51


THE COYOTES ARE ...
• 2-1 at Selland Arena
• 2-1 on the road
• 2-1 when they score more than 50 points
• 2-0 when they score 60 or more points
• 3-1 when they allow less than 60 points
• 3-1 when they allow less than 50 points
• 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
• 0-1 when they score first
• 3-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
• 0-1 when they commit more turnovers
• 2-1 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
• 0-0 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
• 2-1 when Juston Wood throws five or more TDs
• 3-0 when George Williams scores two or more TDs
• 1-1 when G. Williams catches six or more passes
• 1-1 when DeRonn Finley catches six 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
• 3-2 when they record at least one sack
• 0-0 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
• 2-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
• 0-1 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
• 3-1 when leading at halftime
• 1-1 when trailing at halftime


AF2 2005 LEAGUE STANDINGS:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
West Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Coyotes 4 2 0 .666 306 254
Tulsa 4 2 0 .666 322 279
Rio Grande Valley 3 3 0 .500 293 324
San Diego 2 4 0 .333 278 313
Bakersfield 2 4 0 .333 236 224

Midwest Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Memphis 6 1 0 .857 374 225
Amarillo 4 2 0 .666 322 279
Quad City 3 3 0 .500 273 292
Oklahoma City 2 4 0 .333 281 299
Bossier-Shrev. 2 5 0 .285 315 412


AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Northeast Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Green Bay 5 1 0 .833 285 242
Manchester 5 1 0 .833 291 244
Wilkes-B./Scranton 4 2 0 .666 325 273
Louisville 4 2 0 .666 296 295
Albany 2 4 0 .333 274 291

South Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Florida 5 1 0 .833 262 203
Macon 2 4 0 .333 238 262
South Georgia 2 4 0 .333 301 287
Birmingham 0 6 0 .000 270 379
Arkansas 0 6 0 .000 235 380


THIS WEEK IN AF2 (all times Pacific):

Friday, May 20, 2005
South Georgia at Manchester 4:30 p.m
San Diego at Bakersfield 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 21, 2005
Memphis at Albany 4:30 p.m.
Florida at Louisville 4:30 p.m.
Central Valley at Amarillo 5:00 p.m.
Birmingham at Arkansas 5:00 p.m.
Quad City at Green Bay 5:00 p.m.
Macon at Tulsa 5:00 p.m.
Bossier-Shreveport at Oklahoma City 5:30 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Rio Grand Valley 5:30 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.
Opp. Ironman of the Game
1 @ Bakersfield FB/LB Vai Notoa (C.V.)
2 tackles, one sack, 2TD's
3 @ Oklahoma City FB/LB Al Hunt (OKC)
5 receptions, 45 yds, 4.5 tack.
4 Arkansas WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux (C.V.)
5 receptions, 38 yds, 3TD's, 1 INT
5 Bakersfield WR/DB DeRonn Finley (C.V.)
6 receptions, 83 yds, 2TD's, 1 tackle
6 @ Tulsa WR/DB Michael Duncan (C.V.)
3 receptions, 29 yds, 1TD, 3 tackles
7 Rio Grande Valley WR/DB Travis McAlpine (R.G.V)
9 receptions, 103 yds, 2INTs

"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, 43 yd INT return for TD
5 Bakersfield DS Joshua Robinson (C.V.)
4 tackles, 4 pass-breakups
6 @ Tulsa DS Nick Davis (TUL)
7 tackles, 1 pass-breakup
7 Rio Grande Valley OL/DL Ben McCombs (R.G.V.)
1 tackles, 4 QB hurries, 1 deflection


"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-46 164 yards, 2TD's
3 @ Oklahoma City WR/LB Brandon Daniels(OKC)
6 catches, 120 yards, 3TD's
4 Arkansas WR/LB George Williams (C.V.)
5 catches, 105 yards, 3TD's
5 Bakersfield QB Juston Wood (C.V.)
17-of-34, 185 yards, 4TD's, rush TD
6 @ Tulsa QB Josh Blankenship (TUL)
28-of-42, 327 yards, 8TD's
7 Rio Grande Valley WR/DB DeRonn Finley (C.V.)
8 receptions, 133 yds, 4TD's

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