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Game Preview: Stockton Lightning At Central Valley Coyotes

March 28, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Stockton Lightning (0-0)

at Central Valley Coyotes (1-0)

Date: March 28, 2008

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT

Site: Selland Arena (5,487)

Internet: www.NiFTyTV.com/af2 (Steve McElroy)

Officials: Referee - Steve Strimling; Umpire - Michael Ross; Head Linesman - John Jenkins; Line Judge - Jim Wharrie; Back Judge - Ken Sarna

Series Record: Central Valley leads, 8-2

Coaches: Chad Carlson (Stockton - 9-16 overall, 2nd season)

Fred Biletnikoff Jr. (Central Valley - 42-28; 6th Season

THE STAKES: The Stockton Lightning lift the lid on the 2009 regular season with a Week 1 matchup against the division rival Central Valley Coyotes, the first of four meetings between both teams. The Lightning aim to start the season on a winning note for the second straight time in franchise history (1-2 in Week 1 games, lifetime) and a victory would give them their second straight triumph at Selland Arena, dating back to a 50-48 victory on July 5 last season. It is also the first game for new Lightning head coach Chad Carlson, who had his "interim" tag lifted after the Lightning finished with a 3-1 record in the remaining four games of 2008. In addition, Stockton's aim for a winning start coincides with a first-time goal for the season: clinch an ArenaCup Playoff berth. The Lightning faces a Central Valley team already warmed up for the year, who defeated Tri-Cities 47-38 in the af2's 10th anniversary "Kickoff Week" last week.

If Stockton defeats Central Valley it would ...

- Start the Lightning with a 1-0 record for the second straight season

- Extend Chad Carlson's record to 4-1 in his last five lifetime games as Lightning head coach

- Give the Lightning two consecutive wins at Central Valley in the lifetime series

- Hand the Coyotes their first loss of 2009

HEAD COACH PROFILES:

Chad Carlson - Stockton: Chad Carlson is the third Head Coach in Lightning history, named to the team's top post on an interim basis on May 27, 2008, succeeding Doug Murray. Carlson was appointed to the position on a full-time basis on August 13, 2008.

The 36-yead old enters his third af2 head coaching venture after serving as General Manager/Head Coach for the Hawaiian Islanders (2002) and Head Coach of the Bossier City Battle Wings (2003), compiling an overall record of 6-12 before moving on to serve as a Volunteer Coach for the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush for the remainder of the 2003 season.

Carlson, who guided Hawaii to a 4-1 finish in the 2002 season after inheriting the team in the middle of the season, helped the Islanders finish second in the league for red zone offense (83.1 percent), tied for 10th in total offense (4,126 yards) and rank as the af2's leader in rushing offense (852 yards).

After Carlson inherited the Islanders offense that averaged 38 points per game through five contests, his offense went on to score an average of 50.4 points per game and finish 13th in af2 scoring offense.

Following two separate stints in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos (1994) and Ottawa Rough Riders (1996), the Portland, Oregon native spent the 1997 season with the AFL's Portland Forest Dragons as a wide receiver/defensive back and quarterback and was slated to sign with the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL in 2000, but had his career cut short with a career-ending knee injury that he sustained during an indoor football campaign in 1999.

Converted from the quarterback position, Carlson finished his college career as a standout receiver at Lewis & Clark College (NCAA) and was named an NAIA All-American as a 1993 senior, leading the nation in yards per catch while creating accolades that still shine in Pioneer lore. Carlson's 209 receiving yards amassed in a game against Central Washington was the second-best single game output in program history at the time of his exit and he ranked 13th on Lewis and Clark's all-time list for receptions at the time of his exit.

A key member of an athletic family, Chad's wife, Monica, was a contestant winner in 2008 on the television show "American Gladiators" and plays the role of "Jet" on the current season. Chad and Monica reside in Portland during the offseason with two twin daughters, Ellee Jo (8) and Emma Ray (8).

Fred Biletnikoff Jr. - Central Valley: Coyote Head Coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. enters his seventh season in the arenafootball2 league and sixth with the Coyotes.

Biletnikoff Jr. joined the Coyotes coaching staff in 2004 as assistant head coach before becoming interim head coach midway through the season. After five games as interim-head coach, Biletnikoff earned the title of head coach, winning his final two games of the season. His first arena coaching assignment was in 2002 when he coached wide receivers for the Fresno Frenzy.

In 2005, his first full season as a head coach, the Pleasanton, Calif., native led the Coyotes to an 8-8 record and broke 32 franchise records. In 2005 Biletnikoff Jr. guided a Coyote offense that led the league in Total Offense (293.4 yards per game), scored 54.5 points a game and led the league with a 89.9 Red Zone Scoring Percentage. In 2006, Biletnikoff led Central Valley to an ArenaCup playoff berth with a 12-4 record, their best regular season finish in franchise history.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"I think what I intended to happen really happened at the end of the season," Carlson said. "We beat some pretty good teams and made a statement about how far we've come."

- Lightning interim head coach Chad Carlson on his return for 2009

"We've had a connection since the beginning. It just kind of comes naturally. He's seeing the same things I'm seeing. It makes it an easy transition."

- WR Troy McBroom on his connection with QB Andy Collins

MAKING A PASS: Andy Collins returns for his second season in a Lightning uniform and takes the reigns for his first full season in Stockton.

An integral part of the offense last season, Collins is listed below in games that Lightning quarterbacks have thrown for 230 yards or more last season:

1. Andy Collins - 342 yards (at Tenn. Valley - 6/27/08)

2. Andy Collins - 290 yards (at Central Valley - 7/5/08)

3. Andy Collins - 271 yards (at Spokane - 5/31/08)

4. Chad Elliott - 266 yards (at Central Valley - 5/10/08)

5. Andy Collins - 265 yards (vs. Boise - 6/21/08)

Collins was also a frequent factor, below in games that Lightning quarterbacks threw for 5 touchdowns or more last season:

1. Andy Collins - 7 touchdowns (vs. Tri-Cities - 7/19/08)

2. Andy Collins - 7 touchdowns (at Tenn. Valley - 6/27/08)

3. Chad Elliott - 6 touchdowns (at Tri-Cities - 3/28/08)

4. Chad Elliott - 5 touchdowns (at Central Valley - 5/10/08)

5. Andy Collins - 5 touchdowns (vs. Boise - 6/21/08)

6. Andy Collins - 5 touchdowns (vs. Spokane - 7/12/08)

MILESTONES HIT: Below are the milestones the Lightning achieved in 2008: - 2000 points (franchise) - accomplished on 7/12/08

- 18,000 passing yards (Chad Elliott, career) - accomplished on 5/10/08 at Central Valley

- 10,000 yards, total offense (franchise) - accomplished on 5/10/08 at Central Valley

- 200 passing touchdowns (franchise) - accomplished on 5/31/08 at Spokane

CARLSON'S OFFENSIVE COOKING: Chad Carlson entered his third af2 head coaching post last year and posed a similar turnaround similar to his previous ventures. Carlson guided the Lightning to a 3-1 finish in their last 4 games. Carlson's first Head Coaching job was with the Hawaiian Islanders in 2002, where he helped guide the team to a 4-1 finish in the final five games of the year. Additionally, his attention to re-structuring the offense spiked the team's point production. Before his arrival, the Islanders averaged 38 points per game. After his arrival, the team scored an average of 50.4 points per game and finished 13th in the league for scoring offense.

CHAD CARLSON'S TURNAROUND (HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS):

CATEGORY BEFORE CARLSON AFTER CARLSON

SCORING 38.0 50.4

TOTAL OFFENSE 375 415.5

PASSING TD'S AVG. 2.8 3.4

PASSING YDS AVG. 232.2 252.1

RUSHING YDS AVG. 22.8 24.5

LID LIFTERS: The Lightning are 1-2 all-time in Week 1 of the regular season and for the first time in franchise history, open the season up at Central Valley. The Lightning have started every season on the road and last year, winning 46-32 last year at Central Valley on Mar. 28.

Below is a look at the Lightning all-time regular season openers:

ALL-TIME, IN WEEK 1: Lightning are 1-2

Stockton all-time games in Week 1

Score Date Site

Shock 41, Lightning 40 3/30/06 Spokane Arena

Shock 51, Lightning 35 3/31/07 Spokane Arena

Lightning 46, Fever 32 3/28/08 Toyota Center

THE FINISH LINE: The Lightning finished the 2008 season with a 3-1 record which included two heart stopping finishes under the guise of new Lightning head coach Chad Carlson.

It began on June 27 when Stockton made its final out-of-state trip and beat the eventual ArenaCup champion Tennessee Valley Vipers, 47-41 in overtime on June 27. The Lightning improved to a lifetime 2-0 record in overtime and attained their first road win since Week 1 when WR Troy McBroom, in his af2 rookie debut, hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Andy Collins with 6:19 left in overtime.

In a 50-48 win over Central Valley on July 5, the Lightning won their second straight game for the first time in 2008 when Alex Walls drilled a 25-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter. Lightning QB Andy Collins threw for 290 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 26-for-44 effort, helping the Lightning surpass the 40-point plateau for the fourth time in the last five games. WR Ruben Jackson, his most frequent target, caught a game-high tying 10 catches and added 122 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

In the regular season finale against Tri-Cities on July 19, the Lightning used a 34-0 run in the first and second quarters to end their 2008 season on a 3-1 finish in the last 4 games, defeating the Tri-Cities Fever in a 66-40 rout before a crowd of 5,073 at Stockton Arena. Lightning QB Andy Collins garnered Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors, throwing for 196 passing yards (18-of-29) and matching a career-high 7 touchdown passes. He found WR Justin Taplin as his most frequent target for 8 receptions, 112 receiving yards and 2 touchdown catches. Additionally, Collins rushed for a game-high 59 yards and added two rushing scores.

LIGHTNING VS. COYOTES - SERIES NOTES: This week's matchup between the Lightning and Coyotes is the 11th in the all-time matchup and the Lightning are looking for their second straight victory in the head-to-head matchup. The last time both teams met, the Lightning defeated the Coyotes 50-48 on July 5 on Alex Walls' game-winning field goal, at the buzzer, from 25 yards. The Lightning rallied for the victory with 24 points in the final quarter. Central Valley won the previous five meetings between both teams, is 8-2 all-time vs. the Lightning and owns a 4-1 all-time record at Selland Arena in the series.

The Lightning have a history with walk-off field goals in a season or home opener of any kind with Central Valley. Stockton opened up its home schedule at Stockton Arena in Week 2 against the Coyotes in 2007 and Walls was in the spotlight again, hitting a 39-yard walk-off field goal in a 50-47 victory over Central Valley on April 14.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Central Valley leads, 8-2

All-time Stockton vs. Central Valley series

Score Date Site

Coyotes 63, Lightning 61 5/13/06 Stockton Arena

Coyotes 58, Lightning 46 7/8/06 Selland Arena

Coyotes 62, Lightning 49 7/29/06 Stockton Arena

Lightning 50, Coyotes 47 4/14/07 Stockton Arena

Coyotes 76, Lightning 55 5/19/07 Stockton Arena

Coyotes 82, Lightning 63 7/7/07 Selland Arena

Coyotes 62, Lightning 27 4/19/08 Stockton Arena

Coyotes 58, Lightning 45 5/10/08 Selland Arena

Coyotes 51, Lightning 29 6/14/08 Stockton Arena

Lightning 50, Coyotes 48 7/5/08 Selland Arena

BACK FOR MORE: The Lightning feature 10 players on the active roster who return for 2009 after playing in at least one previous game in a Lightning uniform:

- Andy Collins (QB)

- Ruben Jackson (WR)

- Ruschard Dodd-Masters (DB)

- Carl Walker (LB)

- Troy McBroom (WR)

- Justin Taplin (WR)

- Diamond Francies (DB)

- Mike Peko (FB)

- Jay Hunt (LB)

- Stephen Bell (DL)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

ANDY COLLINS (QB) - Back for his second season in a Lightning uniform, Collins stabilized the Lightning passing game after his debut in the final seven games of the regular season. Collins parlayed four games of 250-yards passing or more and threw for 35 touchdowns, on pace to break Josh Blankenship's single-season record of 82 touchdown tosses (2006).

In two games last year against the Coyotes, Collins posted seven touchdown passes and a 52.6 completion rate (40-for-76). In a 50-48 victory at Selland Arena on July 5, Collins posted his fourth game of a passer rating of 100 or more (101.52) and torched the Coyotes for 290 passing yards, a 26-for-44 completion rate and four touchdown strikes.

JUSTIN TAPLIN (WR) - A former four-year veteran of the Arena Football League with Arizona, Utah and Georgia, Justin Taplin made a big splash after a mid-season arrival to Stockton last year. Taplin caught 61 passes for 795 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 9 games, leading the Lightning in all receiving categories.

Taplin played for four years (2004-07) of his Arena Football League career with the Arizona Rattlers, Utah Blaze and Georgia Force, registering 31 receptions, 377 career receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions. In 2006, Taplin recorded a career-high 29 tackles and three pass breakups with Utah and helped guide the team to an Arena Bowl playoff berth. Additionally, Taplin was part of a 2004 Rattlers team that advanced to Arena Bowl XVIII.

Below is a look at Taplin's numbers against the Coyotes last season:

Receiving No. Yds TD Long ---------------------------------------- 5/30 vs. Cen. Valley 6 85 3 29 7/5 at Cen. Valley 9 92 1 30

KIMO NAEHU (K) - Kimo Naehu looks to take the baton from Alex Walls in the kicking scheme and enters his first season in a Lightning uniform. The 29-year old is the most senior player on the Lightning roster with six years of af2 playing experience and his 38 field goals are tied for fourth on the af2's all-time list. Naehu is reunited with Lightning head coach Chad Carlson, who were former members of the Hawaiian Islanders (2002) and has also previously suited up for the Austin Wranglers, Quad City Steamwheelers and San Diego Riptide.

Naehu is looking to regain his form as an all-af2 kicker (second team, National Conference) when he was in Hawaii in 2004, ranking third in the af2 with a 77.6 PAT kick percentage and tied for eighth in the league in kicker scoring with 98 points.

MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, ALL-TIME (af2)

PLAYER TEAM FG

1. Brian Hazelwood RGV, BOS 57

2. Alex Walls* STK, MIL, BIR, TEN 46

3. Brandon Kornblue MAC, FLA 42

4. James Thomas GRN 38

Kimo Naehu* AUS, HAW, SD, QC 38

* active

JAY HUNT (LB) - Also previously known by his full name "Jason," Jay Hunt returns for his third season in a Lightning uniform as the franchise's all-time sack leader (19.5), posting eight last season while ranking fourth on the Lightning with 37.0 tackles.

An all-af2 selection in 2007 when he had a Lightning record 11.5 sacks, Hunt also added 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 10.5 tackles-for-loss in 2008.

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