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Coyotes And Lightning; Round Three

July 4, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


(Fresno, Calif.) - This Saturday, July 7th, the Central Valley Coyotes will take the field against the Stockton Lighting in a game that has significant playoff implications. Despite losing last weekend to the defending ArenaCup Champions, the Spokane Shock, the Coyotes (7-5) still are in the driver's seat to secure a playoff spot. The Lightning (6-6), just a game behind the Coyotes, also have their playoff future in their own hands.

Under the guidance of former Coyote Defensive Coordinator (2004), and first year Head Coach, Doug Murray, the Lightning have gone from the bottom of the Division (5-11) in 2006, under Richard Davis, to a playoff contender in 2007 under Murray. It has been a turn around for the Lightning that is very familiar to Coyote Head Coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. "When I look at what Doug has done with that team I can't help to compare it to our turn around between the 2004 (3-13) and the 2005 (8-8) seasons here," stated Biletnikoff. "I'm happy for Doug and his family. He's been a great friend for 15 years and I hope Mr. Chapman (Lightning GM) and Mr. Reinsdorf (the team's owner) are pleased with Doug. He's done a great job in turning that team around."

The Coyotes, coming off their worse loss since June 2005, are determined to get back on the winning track this weekend against the Lightning. For the first time all year the Coyotes will get a chance to practice in Selland Arena for two or three days this week. Despite practicing outside all year long and having 17 rookies on their roster the Coyotes have accomplished quite a bit statistically. They are currently #2 in the league in Scoring Offense (58.1 ppg) and #1 in the league in Red Zone Offense scoring over 90% of the time that they cross the 15 yard line. And when the offense has fallen below their average in scoring, Derrick Chachere's defense has stepped it up holding Bakersfield to just 37 points three weeks ago and holding Tri Cities to just 42 points two weeks ago, both road victories for the Coyotes.

As for the friendship between Biletnikoff and Murray, it will be on hold for a few hours next Saturday Night. "Doug and I coached football together for a lot of years, he's a great friend. We're 1-1 against each other this year and he got his first win as a head coach against us back in April," Biletnikoff said. "But, all that's out the window this week and I haven't forgotten about the little victory lap he took around their arena after he beat us. I promise we're not shooting off all our fireworks on the 4th of July, I'm saving some for him Saturday night!"

As Saturday's game falls on July 7, 2007 the Coyotes have named the night "LUCKY 7 NIGHT", they are offering $7 tickets any where in the lower areas of the arena and will have prizes for lucky fans when Coyote WR # 7 Tonae Martin does something special.

You can get more information on "LUCKY 7 NIGHT" as well as information on group or individual game tickets, by contacting the Central Valley Coyotes at (559) 263-9780 or by visiting www.centralvalleycoyotes.com.

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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.

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