Coyotes ready for divisional clash with Bakersfield Blitz

May 24, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


(Fresno, CA) – After dropping a close game in Hawaii last weekend, 48-54, Central Valley must regroup and begin preparing for the Bakersfield Blitz in Week 9. The Coyotes must continue to stay focused in order to stay on the path of the West division crown. The Coyotes continue their second of a five game divisional stand, Saturday, May 29, at Selland Arena. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., with the first 2,500 fans through the doors receiving their official 2004 Central Valley Coyotes "Thundersticks".

"That was a tough loss out their in Hawaii," said Head Coach Cree Morris. "The Islanders are a good team, but we shot ourselves in the foot with too many penalties. Last week is over though, and now we must get ready for a very good Bakersfield Blitz team. They have a lot of weapons on offense, and are pretty solid on defense. We're going to need to put a complete game together in order to be successful."

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-6) vs. BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (4-3)

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. Each couldn't find the win column in Week 8, the Blitz fell to the Memphis Xplorers, 51-72 at home, while the Coyotes were defeated by the Hawaiian Islanders, 48-54 in Honolulu, HI. The Blitz currently lead the series 1-0, with a 56-48 victory earlier this season in Week 3.

The Blitz are stacked with veteran leadership on the team, Bakersfield is led by third year quarterback Chad Elliott who has completed 147-of-213 passes for 1,634 yards, 9 interceptions and 32 touchdowns in seven games this season. His main target this weekend will be former Fresno State graduate, Eric Mahanke (47 receptions for 566 yards and 13 TD's). With starting offensive specialist Steve Wofford on injured reserve, Elliott will rely on the rest of the receiving corps to help out. Bakersfield's ground attack is headed up by Ben McCombs who has gained 23-yards and 3 TD's on 11 carries this season.

Defensively the Blitz front three have tallied 14.5 sacks for a loss of 75-yards, while the secondary has amassed 5 interceptions for 67 yards and 18 pass deflections in seven games. Delvin Myles leads all Blitz tacklers with 25.5 (19-solo).

The Coyotes will look once again for quarterback Kyle Biggs to step up and have a big game against the Blitz. Biggs has completed 60-of-96 passes for 643 yards with three interceptions and 13 TD's thus far. In Biggs' first two starts of the season he has racked up 526 yards and 11 touchdowns on 48-of-77 passing. Biggs will look to the current af2 all-purpose yards leader Kenyatte Morgan to get things going offensively for the Coyotes. Morgan has hauled in 651 yards receiving, 944 yards returning and 88 yards on missed field goals through seven games.

Marshall Blount will lead the ground game for the Coyotes, having gained 70 yards on 17 carries this season including, 4 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive specialist Halakilangi Muagututia leads the Coyotes in tackles (25.5), after previous leader VonKeith Spencer sat last weeks contest out with an injury. Spencer has posted 25 tackles, 5 interceptions and 8 pass deflections in six games this season. The Coyotes front three is led by veteran Ricky Leung-Wai (4 sacks).

THUNDERSTICK NIGHT AT SELLAND ARENA

The first 2,500 fans through the doors on Saturday night May 29 will receive their 2004 official pair of Coyotes "Thundersticks" to be used during the game.

KIDS UNDER 14 IN FREE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

Kids under 14 will be able to get in to the 5 remainder Coyotes home games with a purchase of a paid adult. For more information please contact the Selland Arena box office at (559) 498-1182

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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