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Dorados Weekly

June 13, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


DORADOS PERFECT THROUGH FIRST ROUND OF DIVISION OPPONENTS... NOW SET FOR SECOND

GAME #11 SATURDAY CHASE FIELD AT DODGE ARENA 7:30 PM VS. CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (5-5)

BROADCAST: TV: TELEVISA RADIO: ESPN RADIO 1240 AM VIDEO WEBCAST: www.af2tv.com

The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (6-4) completed their first set of contests against division opponents last week and now prepare for their second round of divisional games this week as they complete their home-and-home series against the Central Valley Coyotes (5-5). The Dorados are 4-0 in division play and have won a franchise high three consecutive home games. They look to extend both of those numbers this weekend, but the Coyotes will try to ruin those plans in a meaningful game of their own. Heading into the contest, the Dorados set in sole possession of second place in the West Division, a win out of first place and a win ahead of the Coyotes. Both teams will be watching for the result of Tulsa's contest, as they host San Diego. A win by San Diego would able the Dorados to grab a share of the division lead if they win, and it would place Central Valley within a win of first place and a share of second place if they defeat the Dorados. Central Valley has an explosive offense that averages 53.5 points per game and ranks third in the league with an average of 289.3 yards per game. The offense is directed by quarterback and two-time af2 Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Week Juston Wood, who ranks third in the af2 with 61 touchdowns (53 thrown, 8 rushing).

DORADOS DROPBACK

Hidalgo, Tx - The Rio Grande Valley Dorados had their streak of nine consecutive touchdown scoring drives snapped in the closing seconds of their Saturday night af2 contest with the West Division leading Tulsa Talons, but it was snapped by a 38-yard field goal by Eric Houle with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Dorados a 65-64 victory in front of an exuberant 5,002 fans at Chase Field/Dodge Arena. The win improves the Dorados record this season to 6-4 and extends their home winning streak to a franchise high three games and their division record to 4-0.

The start of the contest gave the Dorados bad flashbacks to their previous game, which was filled with seven turnovers, after quarterback Josh Kellett tossed an interception on their second play from scrimmage. The Talons were able to capitalize off the turnover and build a 14-0 advantage with a four-yard tight end pass to Josh McMillan. Rio Grande Valley was able to get on track on their next possession with a 36-yard touchdown drive that had four passes to Dwight Counter for 35 of the yards, capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass from Kellett. The touchdown drive not only placed the Dorados on the board and trailing 14-7, but it started a series of nine consecutive touchdown drives for the Dorados.

Tulsa's offense was in full gear as well and they opened the contest by scoring touchdowns in their first six offensive drives. In the first half, Tulsa quarterback Josh Blankenship fired three touchdown passes to Donovan Morgan, including an opening fourth down pass of 42 yards. Tulsa found success on fourth down conversions, going 3 for 4, with all three conversions finding the endzone. Blankenship also hit Toby Moeves for a 42-yard touchdown reception in the first half. The crucial first half scoring drive for the Dorados came in the final minute of the half. The Dorados went 40 yards in three plays in a span of 12 seconds to find Marquis Floyd with an 11-yard touchdown reception as five seconds remained in the half to cut the Talons lead to 41-35 at the half.

The Dorados opened the second half on offense and Floyd gave the Dorados their first lead of the game with a seven-yard touchdown catch from Kellett to place the score at 42-41. Tulsa turned the ball over on downs in their next possession and the Dorados took advantage of it by cashing in with a 20-yard touchdown catch by Counter from Kellett. The Dorados attempted to go for the two-point conversion to build a nine point lead, but the plan backfired as Travis McAlpine fumbled the ball and Tulsa scooped it up and worked a couple laterals before Nick Davis took the ball the distance for the returned PAT two points, which placed the Dorados lead at 48-43.

Play continued back and forth, as Ahmad Willis' one-yard touchdown run to give them a 50-48 lead was answered by Chris Robinson's four-yard touchdown run to regain the Dorados lead 55-50. Tulsa's Donovan Morgan picked up a pair of fourth quarter touchdown receptions from Blankenship, surrounding Floyd's 38-yard touchdown catch, setting up the Dorados final drive. Clock management and penalties forced the Dorados into a fourth down and 13 situation and Eric Houle, who was 8 for 8 on the night in PATs trotted onto the field to attempt his first field goal of the game. The boot was right down the middle for his league leading 13th field goal of the season.

Tulsa had one chance remaining, as 2.2 seconds remained, but Donovan Morgan's kick return ended at the Rio Grande Valley 20 yard-line after he was finally tackled down by McAlpine to seal the win. It was the first time Houle and the Dorados have had a game decided by a kick of their own in franchise history. It was also their first one-point win in franchise history and the win improved their record to 5-2 when trailing at halftime.

Both quarterbacks finished with some flashy numbers, as Kellett finished was 330 yards passing off a 26 for 37 passing performance for seven touchdowns, while Blankenship was 24 for 40 passing for 325 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game was a coin toss, but eventually issued to Dwight Counter, who broke franchise single-game records in receptions (18) and receiving yards with 217, while tying the mark for touchdowns with four. His numbers edged out Tulsa's Donovan Morgan, who caught 10 passes for 145 yards and five touchdowns. Tulsa's Aleric Clark, who had 114 all-purpose yards and 3.5 tackles claimed US Army Ironman of the Game, while Dorados rookie Pierre Thomas earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game accolades after leading the squad in tackles with 7, including a tackle for a loss.

Rio Grande Valley's perfect 4-0 division record in the West Division will be put to the test once again in the upcoming week, as they face the Central Valley Coyotes (5-5). The Coyotes were trampled by the San Diego Riptide 79-38, which places the Dorados in sole possession of second place in the Division. The Dorados can get a share of first place next week if they defeat Central Valley and the Riptide garner a road win at Tulsa.

COYOTES REPORT (a look at the opponent's previous game)

Courtesy of Central Valley Coyotes

Central Valley surrendered points on 11 straight possessions to give the San Diego Riptide (4-6) a 79-38 victory over the Central Valley Coyotes (5-5) in front of a crowd of 2,176 at Selland Arena.

The Riptide went into halftime with a 46-20 lead after taking advantage of two Coyote fumbled kick returns. San Diego went up 13-0 when WR/DB Ryan Smith, who earned "Ironman of the Game" honors, recovered a George Williams' fumble after the Riptide scored on their opening possession.

Riptide QB Kane Claunch earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors with 19 completions on 30 attempts for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. Three of them were to WR/DB Steven Gonzalez, who led the Riptide with six catches for 91 yards.

Central Valley thought they had found some momentum with 8:22 left in the second quarter when WR/DB DeRonn Finley made an amazing 28-yard reception on a fourth-and-20. The ball looked like it was intended for WR/LB Wes Borba when Finley came sliding into the boards for the overthrown pass which eventually set up a Williams four-yard touchdown reception to cut the Coyote deficit to 25-14.

San Diego answered with a 35-yard touchdown reception to Nako McElrath, and added another score after Coyote WR/DB LaMonte Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Riptide a commanding 39-14 advantage.

The Riptide defense opened the second half with a stop when Smith intercepted a Juston Wood pass intended for Finley in the endzone. The Coyotes would turn it over on downs on their next possession while San Diego's Gonzales caught his third touchdown pass to give the Riptide a 56-20 lead with 2:34 left in the third quarter.

The two teams would trade scores until the last possession when Coyote backup quarterback Chad Munson got an intentional grounding penalty to give San Diego a safety and put them up 79-38.

Wood was 18-of-30 for 208 yards and four touchdowns.

RECORD THIS

The following team records were set in the Dorados win Saturday night over Tulsa:

Individual

Most Receptions in a Game: Dwight Counter (18)
Most Reception Yards in a Game: Dwight Counter (217)
Most TD Receptions in a Game: Dwight Counter (fourth time this record has been tied with 4)
Most Points Scored in a Game: Dwight Counter (fifth time this record has been tied with 24)
Most TDs in a Game: Dwight Counter (fifth time this record has been tied with 4)
Most PATs Made in a Game: Eric Houle (8)
Most PATs Attempted in a Game: Eric Houle (third time he has tied the record with 8)

Team

Most PATs Made in a Game: 8
Most PATs Attempted in a Game: Third Time the record has been set with 8

Misc.

The win is the sixth this season, tying the single-season franchise mark for wins...
The win gave the Dorados three consecutive home wins for the first time in franchise history...

PLAYOFF PICTURE

With six games remaining, we take a look at the playoff picture in the af2's National Conference. In the af2, the top six teams in the conference qualify for the playoffs, with division-leading teams receiving first round byes.

1. Memphis 9-1
2. Tulsa 7-3
3. Oklahoma City 6-4
4. Rio Grande Valley 6-4, Amarillo 6-4
6. Central Valley 5-5

af2 WEEK 11 REVIEW

Friday, June 10
BAKERSFIELD 36, Arkansas 33 (3,126)
Saturday, June 11
W-B/SCRANTON 43, Albany 34 (4,462)
MACON 57, Bossier-Shreveport 36 (2,904)
Florida 45, SOUTH GEORGIA 40 (6,657)
Louisville 69, BIRMINGHAM 61 (5,027)
Manchester 62, GREEN BAY 48 (2,371)
MEMPHIS 61, Quad City 54 OT (2,797)
RIO GRANDE VALLEY 65, Tulsa 64 (5,002)
OKLAHOMA CITY 74, Amarillo 67 (6,914)
San Diego 79, CENTRAL VALLEY 38 (2,176)

af2 WEEK 12 PREVIEW

Saturday, June 18
Green Bay at Louisville 6:30 p.m.
Manchester at Florida 6:30 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Macon 6:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Amarillo 7:00 p.m.
San Diego at Tulsa 7:00 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Bossier-Shreve. 7:00 p.m.
South Georgia at Arkansas 7:00 p.m.
Birmingham at Memphis 7:00 p.m.
Central Valley at Rio Grande Valley 7:30 p.m.
Albany at Quad City 7:30 p.m.

ON THE MENU

At each home game, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados will have tailgating outside the Dodge Arena sponsored by Budweiser, Clear Channel, and Dodge beginning at 4PM on game-days. Each tailgate event will feature live musical acts and will feature a marquee food item for grillers and tailgaters to cook. Judges will give out prizes for the best of the selected food item prepared by fans. For Saturday, fans are encouraged to prepare the best "road kill" for judging. Don't take it literal... It just means fans can cook their own special recipe of choice.

NEXT HOME GAME

The Dorados next home game is Saturday, June 18, as the Dorados host the Central Valley Coyotes at Chase Field inside the Dodge Arena. Individual tickets for the game and all other home games are already on sale. Season ticket packages and advertising opportunities are still available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825. Additional info can also be found by visiting the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.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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