Coyotes beat Blitz, 40-21

May 1, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


FRESNO- It did not take the Central Valley Coyotes (3-1) long to match their 2004 win total as they did it in their fourth game of the season after beating the Bakersfield Blitz (1-3), 40-21 at Selland Arena.

The Blitz, who were without suspended QB Chad Elliot, turned to backup Jason Thomas, who played his first full game of the season. Thomas connected on 13-of-33 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown.

Coyote quarterback Juston Wood, who was 17-of-34 for 185 yards, threw four touchdowns and ran in another while earning "Offensive player of the Game" honors for the second time this year.

"In the first half we were in a funk," Wood said. "I am really proud of what we did in the second half."

The Coyotes held a 20-14 lead at the half after a recordint two touchdowns and two field goals.

It looked like it was going to be a long night for Central Valley when the Blitz opened the game with a 40-yard Nick Onaindia run to take a 7-0 lead.

However, on the Bakersfield's next possession Coyote WR/DB Michael Duncan intercepted a Jason Thomas pass, which led to a 24-yard field goal to give the Coyotes their first lead, 10-7.

Central Valley recorded their second consecutive stop when Vai Notoa blocked a Dan Burnett 41-yard field goal to give the Coyotes excellent field position at the Blitz 15. Wood found WR/DB DeRonn Finley on the next play to give the Coyotes a 17-7 advantage.

Finley, who earned "Ironman" honors caught six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

"I really felt like Juston was finding me," Finley said. "Our defense really picked us up when we were struggling offensively."

The two teams traded turnovers before Thomas rushed in a two-yard touchdown to cut the Coyote lead to three, 17-14.

"I felt that our players were sluggish early," head coach Fred Biletnikoff said. "We came out in the second half and set the tone."

The second half opened with two Central Valley touchdowns. The first drive took nine minutes and 25 seconds and ended with a five-yard touchdown to George Williams that gave the Coyotes a 27-14 lead.

"That drive was the turning point," Biletnikoff Jr. said. "We were able to milk most of the quarter and go up two scores."

After taking over and downs on the next possession, Wood found Finley for a second time on a 16-yard score to put Central Valley in control 33-14 after the extra-point attempt failed.

The two teams traded scores down the stretch to make it 40-21.

DS Joshua Robinson earned "Defensive Player of the Game" honors recording four tackles and four pass deflections.

The Coyotes will travel to Tulsa to take on the Talons on Saturday, May 7. The winner will take over sole possession of first place in the Western Division



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