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Game Preview: Stockton Lightning Vs. Bosie Burn

April 12, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Stockton Lightning (1-1)

vs. Boise Burn (0-1)

Date: April 12, 2008

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Site: Stockton Arena (9,916)

TV: Comcast SJTV (Erik Alves, J.J. Stokes)

Radio: None

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

Referee: Steve Strimling; Umpire: Torrance Crable; Head Linesman: Steve Hoslett; Line Judge: Greg Toler; Back Judge: Ken Sarna

Series Record: Series tied, 1-1

Coaches: Doug Murray (Stockton - 7-11, 2nd season)

Lee Leslie (8-9, 2nd Season)

THE STAKES: The Lightning are looking to lick their wounds in a quick fashion with a week 3 matchup against the Boise Burn, also marking the home opener for week 3 in the Lightningfs third year in the Central Valley. The Lightning are looking to win their second straight home opener at Stockton Arena and a win would put them above the .500 mark for the second time this season. Additionally, the Lightning seek revenge from a 58-46 loss last year at Stockton Arena in week 16. It will also be the first time the Lightning face WR George Williams, a member of the teamfs inaugural roster in 2006 and the honoree of the teamfs first home touchdown in Lightning history.

THE IFs:

If Stockton defeats Boise it would c

œ Give the Lightning a 2-1 record

œ Give the Lightning their second straight home-opening win

œ Give the Lightning a 2-1 lifetime record vs. Boise

œ Lift Doug Murrayfs lifetime coaching record to 8-11

œ Give the Lightning a 1-0 record at home this season

HEAD COACH PROFILES: Doug Murray - Stockton: Doug Murray enters his second season at the helm of the Lightning, introduced to the media as the second coach in Lightning history at a September 15, 2006 news conference at Stockton Arena. Guiding the team to a one-win improvement last year which included playoff contention into the final month of July, Murray oversees all on and off-field matters related to football operations.

Promoted from his position as Defensive Backs Coach in 2006, Murrayfs hand in the Lightning offense spearheaded their way to the eighth-best output with 4,527 yards in 2007, while the Lightning pass rating placed sixth in the league at 265.9.

A longtime resident of the Northern California area, Murrayfs defensive knowledge has been instrumental to the collegiate successes of Chabot College, Menlo College and the University of California at Davis, having then moved to the pro ranks with the Spring Football League (a precursor to the XFL), the Central Valley Coyotes of the af2 and then the Lightning.

Currently in his second tour of duty within the af2, Murray served on coaching staff with the Central Valley Coyotes in 2004 as defensive coordinator. Murray guided the Coyotes defense to finish third in the af2 with a 33.3 percent opponent fourth-down conversion rate, seventh in the af2 with 56 fumble return yards, 10th in the af2 with 226 first downs allowed, 11th in the af2 with 3,584 passing yards allowed and 12th in the af2 with 3,939 total defensive yards allowed.

Previously, Murray spent two years in the college football ranks as the defensive backs coach at the University of California-Davis, helping guide the Aggies to the NCAA Division-II quarterfinal playoff game in 2002 and helping the program earn their 34th consecutive winning season in UC Davisf first year of NCAA Division-I status in 2003.

Murrayfs ties to the Northern California-area are also linked to his college football playing career, where he earned two letters (1978-79) as a receiver at Cal State Hayward (NCAA).

Murray received his B.A. degree in Sociology from Hayward in 1986, followed by earning his masterfs in public administration in 1990. Murray currently resides in Stockton with his wife Natalia, daughter Naje, and son Nicolas.

Lee Leslie - Boise: Lee Leslie, a football veteran, has played and coached at the high school, collegiate and professional levels over his 24-year career. After spending a year with Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League, Leslie was hired as head coach of expansion Boise Burn in 2007. In his first year in Boise, Coach Leslie led the Burn to an 8-8 record. Leslie was a highly successful football and baseball high school coach, winning two State and five regional championships over 15 years at Tooele High School and Hillcrest High School, both in Utah. That success continued into professional coaching, where Leslie served as head coach and general manager of the Utah Warriors, leading the team to the Pacific Conference Championship and a berth in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) championship game in 2003. A graduate of the University of Utah and Utah State, Leslie holds a MS in Sports Psychology (1996-2000) and a degree in Sociology with a minor in Physical Education and Coaching from Southern Utah University (1985). He and his wife Jill of 23 years have four children: Kenny (21), Jake (18), Madison (14), and T.D. (12).

WHAT THEYfRE SAYING (courtesy of The Record)

"I think it's one of those things that it was so crazy, that you don't try to explain what happened, you just move forward. The only way to remove the previous game from your mind is to work and prepare for the next game."

- Head Coach Doug Murray on last weekfs defeat at Spokane

"We're hoping he can add some fresh legs and some experience to our receiving corps. He's proven himself at this level, and he'll bring us some confidence and new spirit to the team."

- Head Coach Doug Murray on the return of WR Atnas Maeko

"Chad is a good artist. I like to link up with other good artists to make music. In football, our chemistry is there. Over time, with more repetitions, it'll definitely become better."

- WR Hannibal Thomas on QB Chad Elliott, who are dabbing in the rap music industry while off the field

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL: The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league unveiled their 2008 marketing campaign in late March, officially deemed gFor The Love Of Football,h selecting the slogan with an emotional theme to celebrate the unique football experience for fans of all ages as the centerpiece in game night promotions, special events, community activities, charitable efforts, publications and the Lightningfs official website, www.stocktonlightning.com.

The logo and graphics, developed by the Lightning marketing department, will interchange with different themed nights and community events this year to celebrate arena football, its rabid fan base, and the game-night experience to compliment specific themed nights hosted by the Lightning.

The year's festivities started grand style with the third annual Lightning gFanFesth on Sunday, March 30 (presented by 104.1 The Hawk, St. Josephfs Medical Center, The Record, Valley Brew Family Restaurant, Comcast & Port of Stockton California) from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

LIGHTNING HIT THE AIRWAVES: The Stockton Lightning return to radio for the second straight on 1420 KSTN AM, airing Lightning home, away and ArenaCup Playoff games.

Beginning this season, all Lightning games will be available for viewing at www.stocktonlightning.com through an online stream via NifTy Online Television, free-of-charge. NFTfs innovative video broadcasting solution incorporates a downloadable player that streams content directly to the viewerfs computer desktop.

Mike Benton, who is also the radio play-by-play announcer for the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, will handle radio play-by-play duties for the third consecutive season with the Lightning and will be joined in the booth by color commentator Steve McElroy, who also serves Sacramento State University's athletic department with various broadcast roles. Returning to the broadcast team for his second straight year is local Northern California fan-favorite and former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver J.J. Stokes, who will contribute with additional color commentary on select Lightning broadcasts.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

(A look at the Lightning vs. Burn in 2008)

Statistical LIGHTNING BOISE

Category Rank Stat Rank Stat

Scoring Offense 15th 46.0 3rd 64.0

Scoring Defense 11th 32.0 T-16 48.0

Total Offense 16th 193 17th 190.0

Total Defense 22nd 257 T-11 190.0

Pass Offense 15th 170 15th 173.0

Pass Defense 26th 281 16th 176.0

Rushing Offense T-5th 25.0 9th 20.0

Rushing Defense 1st -24.0 18th 14.0

Scoring (Kicking) T-14 4.0 1st 10.0

Pass Rating 5th 108.3 18th 61.8

Pass Def. Rating 15th 85.5 11th 55.1

Kickoff Returns T-10 20.0 16th 16.4

Turnover Margin T-4th 2.0 3rd 3.0

Field Goals T-6th 0.0 1st .500

PAT Kicking 19th .571 T-7th .875

Sacks By T-3rd 4 T-8th 1

Sacks Against T-1st 0 T-1st 0

First Downs T-13 14 T-13 14

Opp. First Downs T-11 13 T-9th 12

Penalties 15th 39.0 13th 35.0

Opp. Penalties 9th 55.0 1st 88.0

DROPBACK: For the second straight year the Lightning rolled out to a 1-1 start after the Spokane Shock scored a franchise-high 42 points in the first half behind three touchdown receptions by Raul Vijil, sending the Lightning (1-1) to a 70-12 loss in week 2 of arenafootball2 play from Spokane Tribe Field.

Vijil tallied 6 catches for 99 yards and three touchdown receptions to lead Spokanefs receivers. The Lightning were held to a franchise-low 12 points in one game and trailed by a 42-point deficit at halftime.

Vijil opened the gamefs scoring with a one-yard sneak with 8:50 left in the first and followed up with a four-yard touchdown reception from Jason Murrietta. Vijilfs second touchdown pass of the game was issued on the longest scoring bomb of the game, a 42-yard lob from Murrietta with 3:41 left in the first half to put the Lightning in a 35-0 hole.

Following Vijilfs 35-yard touchdown reception to begin to scoring in the third quarter, the Lightning finally got on the board on WR Clarence Cunninghamfs 3-yard run with 5:57 left in the third, notching Cunninghamfs first touchdown of the season in his season debut for the Lightning. WR Donva Louder scored on a 19-yard strike from Lightning QB Chad Elliott with 2:17 left in the third to cut Spokanefs lead to 49-12.

The Lightning fell to a 0-5 lifetime mark against Spokane and were led in the receiving corps by Louderfs 10 catches, 97 receiving yards and one touchdown. Elliott finished with a 20-for-39 passing clip, tallying one touchdown and 183 passing yards.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECAP: The series is tied at 1-1 and in the last meeting, the trailed in a wire-to-wire fashion as Boise Burn receiver Ahmed Harris tallied a season-high 12 catches, 199 receiving yards and five touchdown catches for Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors, sending the Lightning to a 58-46 loss to the Burn before a crowd of 5,288 at Stockton Arena in week 16 of arenafootball2 play last year.

Lightning QB Evan Gray tallied his fifth consecutive game of 250 passing yards or more, completing 25-of-42 passes for 325 yards and five touchdown receptions. Jones bested his season-high marks by one yard, leading the Lightning with 135 receiving yards and two touchdown snares.

The first meeting of the lifetime series went to the Lightning in a 57-33 victory in week 9 at Qwest Arena in Boise, when the Lightning, held without a walk-through until 12:30 p.m. MT on game day due to an arena changeover from a hockey game that was held the previous night, went 4-for-6 on fourth down conversions and posted their season low point allowance on defense.

QB Evan Gray posted a 16-for-29 completion rate with 196 passing yards, while Boise QB Bart Hendricks, the former star signal-caller for Boise State, was held to just 19-for-41 with 219 passing yards. DB Travis Seaton led the Lightning defense with seven tackles and has 17 take-downs in his last two games.

FORWARD MOTION: The Lightning return to play with a critical a week 4 home matchup against the Central Valley Coyotes next Saturday. Then, itfs another road trip of the three-game variety, facing the storied Iowa Barnstormers, followed by a rematch with the Boise Burn and then the first visit of the year to Selland Arena to face the local-rival Central Valley Coyotes. The Lightning do not see home turf again until May 17, when they face the Amarillo Dusters.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

CHAD ELLIOTT (QB): One of the all-time passing greats in arenafootball2 history, local Northern California-product Chad Elliott joins the Lightning offense as a key piece to Doug Murrayfs attack for 2008. The local Grass Valley, Calif. native will enters his seventh season of professional football after a heralded career at local-area Sacramento Grant (Calif.) High, where he threw 48 touchdown passes and just two interceptions as a 1996 senior before launching his pro career with the Bakersfield Blitz and the Macon Knights.

Elliott shined in his Lightning debut in week 1, throwing for six touchdown passes and 168 yards in a victory over Tri-Cities.

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound signal-caller entered the 2008 season with 76 career professional games played, completing 1,491 pass attempts for 17,066 career yards, ranking second best in af2 history for both categories. His 315 touchdown passes were fourth best on the af2 career charts - while only throwing 72 interceptions.

MOST PASSING YARDS, ALL-TIME (af2)

PLAYER TEAM YARDS

1. Craig Strickland TUL, OKC 22,688

2. Chad Elliott* STK, BAK, MAC 17,417

3. Ryan Vena ALB, WBS 16,264

4. Chris Wallace* NOR, FLA 16,379

5. Matt Sauk TENN, LOU 14,142

* active

ALEX WALLS (K) - No one was more accurate when it came to splitting the three-point uprights last year than all-af2 kickerAlex Walls, who returns with the Lightning after leading the league with a 71.4 field goal percentage in 2007. Additionally, Walls surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time in his career last year, breaking his single-season record of 99 points (Birmingham, 2006).

Walls also hit two game-winning gwalk-offh field goals last year - both from 39 yards - at home against Central Valley and on the road against Everett.

MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, ALL-TIME (af2)

PLAYER TEAM FG

1. Brian Hazelwood BOS 51

2. Brandon Kornblue MAC, FLA 42

3. Alex Walls* STK, BIR, TEN 41

4. James Thomas GRN 38

Kimo Naehu* HAW, SD, QC 38

* active

HANNIBAL THOMAS (WR) - Currently in his second pro season, Hannibal Thomas comes off an impressive week 1 debut with the Lightning, hauling in three touchdown catches in a 46-32 win over Tri-Cities. Thomas split his pro career between the Amarillo Dusters and the Green Bay Blizzard of the af2 last year and while in Green Bay he racked up a 13.5 yds per catch average and one TD in his 4 games with the Blizzard.

JASON HUNT (FB/LB) - Tied for the Lightning lead with 7.0 tackles, leading the team with 2.0 sacks and taking an all-af2 season by storm after a previous training camp stint with the Lightning in 2006, Jason Hunt was one of six (af2 league-high tying) Lightning players named to the All-af2 team last year after leading the Lightning with 11.5 sacks, breaking the single-season team record previously set by Aubrey Dorisme (8.0 sacks, set in 2006). The Modesto, Calif. native led the Lightning with 13.5 tackles for loss, ranking eighth in the af2 and registered 52.5 tackles, placing fourth on the team.

CARL WALKER (LB) - The former Miami Hurricane returns for his second season with the Lightning after garnering an All-af2 selection as a rookie. Walker ranked third on the Lightning with 55 tackles and tied for third on the team with eight pass breakups, primarily serving the team in the gjackh linebacker position. Walkerfs best output came against Spokane on April 28 as the Florida native tallied a team-high tying seven take-downs.

THYRON LEWIS (WR) - Currently in his rookie season out of Howard (NCAA), Lewis leads the Lightning with 126 yards and three touchdown catches. Lewis posted 5 catches, 84 yards and three touchdown catches in his pro debut.



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