Coyotes return from three game road trip to host Riptide

Published on July 5, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


(Fresno, CA) – The Central Valley Coyotes return back home to Selland Arena this weekend as they host the San Diego Riptide. Though the Coyotes had a tough three game road trip, the new additions of Juston Wood, Al Noga, Jabari Jackson and Dewayne Johnson has seemed to give Central Valley a little depth offensively and defensively. The Riptide have been able to defeat the Coyotes twice this season and are still looking to sneak in the playoffs by running the table. Central Valley will look to play spoiler Saturday night at Selland Arena in front of their home crowd.

"We know what we have to do this week in order to be successful this weekend," said interim head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. "We had a tough three game road trip but we're bringing it Fresno and hopefully we can make something happen in front of the home crowd. There is still a lot of fight left in this team, and I wouldn't be surprised if we knock a few teams off in these last four games."

The first 2,000 fans through the doors at the game this weekend will receive an official 2004 Central Valley Coyotes Rally Towel. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. Fans are also encouraged to bring back their thundersticks and touchdown/defense signs to cheer on the Coyotes as the host the San Diego Riptide this weekend.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-11) vs. SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (5-7)

The San Diego Riptide make their final trip of the season to Selland Arena this weekend as they take on the Central Valley Coyotes. The Riptide are coming off back-to-back losses, while the Coyotes have lost five straight. Saturday will mark the third meeting of the season between the two clubs, the Riptide defeated the Coyotes in Week 5, by the score of 59-34 in San Diego and also during Week 10, 45-24 in Fresno.

The Riptide are led by veteran quarterback Kane Claunch who has completed 222-of-386 passes for 3,155 yards, 62 TD's and twelve interceptions. Claunch's three main targets this weekend will be Dwight Carter (83 receptions, 1,135 yards and 21 TD's), Jesus Reyes (45 receptions, 672 yards and 13 TD's) and Nakoa Mcelrath (33 receptions, 567 yards and 15 TD's). The rest of the receiving corps is rounded out by Ryan Smith, Rico Curtis and Marty Graham.

The Riptide rushing duties are split up by Matt Guardia (24 att., 98 yards and 7 TD's) and Ryan Cuthbert (20 att., 43 yards and 7 TD's). Each back has a different running style which provides San Diego with flexibility in the backfield.

Defensively the Riptide front three have tallied 13 sacks for a loss of 84-yards, while the secondary has amassed 16 interceptions for 113 yards and 45 pass deflections through twelve games. Quincy LeJay leads all Riptide tacklers with 64, (51-solo).

The Coyotes started their fifth rookie quarterback of the season last weekend in Oklahoma City. Juston Wood completed 22-of-39 passes for 233 yards with two interceptions and 3 TD's. Wood is fortunate to have the tandem of Kenyatte Morgan and LaMonte Jones in the receiving corps. Morgan has hauled in 90 receptions for 1,127 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Jones has amassed 669 yards and 11 touchdowns off 56 receptions. The two have combined for nearly seventy-five percent of the Coyotes entire offense this season.

Kevin Nelson will lead the ground game for the Coyotes, having gained 43 yards on 12 carries this season including, 1 touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive specialist VonKeith Spencer will return back to the starting lineup after sitting a week out due to injury. Spencer currently leads the Coyotes in tackles 42.5, (33-solo) and in interceptions with 6. Central Valley's front three is led by veteran Al Noga who has sparked a fire in the line in recent weeks.

OTHER NEWS

Ø Offensive/defensive lineman Aaron Leverenz suffered a knee injury last weekend in Oklahoma City, he will receive an MRI this week and his status will be determined then.

Ø Defensive specialist VonKeith Spencer will more then likely return back to the starting lineup this weekend after sitting out the previous game with an injury.

2,000 COYOTES RALLY TOWELS TO BE GIVEN AWAY SATURDAY NIGHT

The first 2,000 fans through the doors on Saturday, July 10th, will receive an official 2004 Central Valley Coyotes Rally Towel. 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 2 remainder Coyotes home games for free with a purchase of a paid adult. For more information please contact the Selland Arena box office at (559) 621-4700

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.

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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