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Coyotes look to upset division leading Blitz

July 12, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


(Fresno, CA) – After a offensive shootout at home against the San Diego Riptide last weekend at Selland Arena, the Coyotes will now travel down to the division leading Bakersfield Blitz looking too pull of an upset. Although the Coyotes have been mathematically eliminated from post-season play the energy and mood has still been upbeat around the Coyotes office and practice facility. Central Valley has played the Blitz tough all season long and in Week 12 the Coyotes held the Blitz to only thirty-three points and fell short in the game by six points. Coyotes Interim Head Coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. will look to knock off Bakersfield on the road at the Centennial Garden this weekend.

"If we play the way we did last week against San Diego, minus the 18 penalties, we can play with anyone in the league," said Biletnikoff Jr. "Last time in Bakersfield we made a few mental mistakes that cost us the game, so hopefully this time those mental errors won't be made. We're a different team then we were the last time we played them."

"The chemistry of our passing game has made great strides in the last few weeks," added Biletnikoff Jr. "Last week we had three different receivers catch two or more touchdowns and our quarterback threw seven touchdowns. No matter who is throwing the ball we have 3 go-to receivers that Bakersfield will have to stop. Like I said earlier we are a different team now then we were three weeks ago."

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-12) vs. BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (9-4)

The Central Valley Coyotes and Bakersfield Blitz are no strangers of each other, prior to the beginning of the 2004 season, the Coyotes were sold and relocated to Fresno, CA, allowing an expansion Bakersfield Blitz team to remain in Bakersfield. There is definitely no love lost on either side of the ball and this weekend's match-up should be a thriller. The Coyotes are coming off a 49-63 loss to the San Diego Riptide, while the Blitz defeated the Hawaiian Islanders last weekend by a score of, 43-41. Bakersfield currently leads the all-time series 3-0.

The Blitz are stacked with veteran leadership on the team, Bakersfield is led by third year quarterback Chad Elliott who has completed 274-of-423 passes for 3,207 yards, 19 interceptions and 58 touchdowns in thirteen games this season. His main target this weekend will be former Fresno State graduate, Eric Mahanke (91 receptions for 1,187 yards and 25 TD's). Steve Wofford will compliment Mahanke having hauled in 51 receptions for 744 yards and 10 TDs. The rest of the receiving corps is rounded out by Nathan Munson and Rennard Reynolds.

Bakersfield's ground attack is headed up by Ben McCombs who has gained 58-yards and 7 TDs on 19 carries this season.

Defensively the Blitz front three have tallied 25 sacks for a loss of 127-yards, while the secondary has amassed 13 interceptions for 110 yards and 46 pass deflections this season. Mel Miller leads all Blitz tacklers with 46 (33-solo).

The Coyotes will look once again for quarterback Juston Wood to step up and have a big game. Wood has completed 43-of-74 passes for 464 yards with three interceptions and 11 TDs thus far. Wood will look to the current af2 all-purpose yards leader Kenyatte Morgan to get things going offensively for the Coyotes. Morgan has hauled in 1,202 yards receiving, 1,539 yards returning and 94 yards on missed field goals through thirteen games.

Kevin Nelson will lead the ground game for the Coyotes, having gained 43 yards on 12 carries this season including, one touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive specialist VonKeith Spencer leads the Coyotes in tackles (45.5), interceptions (6) and pass deflections (13). The Coyotes front three is led by veteran Al Noga, Nathan Frowsing and Dewayne Johnson.

FREE COYOTES HAT TO BE GIVE AWAY AT THE JULY 24TH GAME

As they Coyotes host the Hawaiian Islanders Saturday, July 24th, the first 2,000 fans through the doors will receive an official 2004 Central Valley Coyotes Hat courtesy of Brett's Auto Center in Dinuba. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

KIDS UNDER 14 IN FREE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

Kids under 14 will be able to get into the final Coyotes home game for free with a purchase of a paid adult. For more information please contact the Selland Arena box office at (559) 621-4700

COYOTES TICKETS

For ticket information and purchases please call the Selland Arena box office at (559) 621-4700 or purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.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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