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Game Preview (week 4): Stockton Lightning Vs. Central Valley Coyotes

April 18, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Stockton Lightning (1-1)

vs. Central Valley Coyotes (1-2)

Date: April 18, 2009

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Site: Stockton Arena (9,919)

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

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

National Anthem: Felicia Zapata

Color Guard: Honor Guard, Travis Air Force Base

Coin Toss: Kathy Miller (Vice Mayor, City of Stockton)

Series Record: Central Valley leads, 8-3

Coaches: Chad Carlson (Stockton - 10-17 overall, 2nd season)

Fred Biletnikoff Jr. (Central Valley - 43-30; 6th Season)

THE STAKES: The Stockton Lightning look to christen the home turf of Stockton Arena with a victory to open up the home schedule for the 2009 season, facing a Central Valley team that has lost twice in a row since the af2's "Kickoff Week." Coming off a bye week, the Lightning have an opportunity to translate rest into a chance to leapfrog the .500 mark and attain the second home opening win in Lightning history. The other time Stockton opened the home schedule with a win was against Central Valley in 2007, on an Alex Walls' walk-off field goal as time expired in the game. A win would also give the Lightning their third straight win against Central Valley in the season series, ensuring no worse than a split in the four-game season series. Saturday's game also comes at a critical time for the Lightning to start fast, based on the opening portion of the schedule - the Lightning play only twice at home in the first six games of the season.

If Stockton defeats Central Valley it would ...

- Give the Lightning their second home opening win in franchise history

- Extend Chad Carlson's record to 5-2 in his last seven lifetime games as Lightning head coach

- Give the Lightning their third straight win over Central Valley, dating back to 2008

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

"He's a diehard football coach and he wants the best out of his team," he said. "He will push you to the very end and if you hadn't had a coach like that before it takes time to get used to, but he's on you for the best reasons."

- QB Andy Collins on Lightning head coach Chad Carlson

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)

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 ppg 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

CHAD CARLSON'S TURNAROUND (STOCKTON LIGHTNING):

CATEGORY BEFORE CARLSON AFTER CARLSON

SCORING 30.2 37.8

TOTAL OFFENSE 206.0 226.2

PASSING TD'S AVG. 3.0 5.4

PASSING YDS AVG. 199.7 209.2

RUSHING YDS AVG. 6.3 17.0

COLLINS HAULS IN THE WEEK 1 HONORS:

Lightning QB Andy Collins was named Russell Athletic af2 Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1. Collins (6-2, 215, Occidental College) led the Lightning to a 68-54 Week 1 road victory at West Division rival Central Valley. The 25-year old signal caller completed 24-of-28 passes (85.7 percent) in the contest for 287 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception. He also scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns to lead the Lightning to their biggest offensive output to open a season in team history. This is the first af2 weekly award of Collins' career.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

(A look at the Lightning vs. Coyotes)

Statistical LIGHTNING COYOTES

Category Rank Stat Rank Stat

Scoring Offense 8 55.0 15 46.3

Scoring Defense 20 56.5 23 60.7

Total Offense 1 339.0 4 295.3

Total Defense 21 295.5 13 266.3

Pass Offense 2 293.5 3 278.7

Pass Defense 23 274.0 15 242.0

Rushing Offense 3 45.5 20 16.7

Rushing Defense 10 21.5 14 24.3

Scoring (Kicking) 24 3.0 19 4.3

Pass Rating 2 119.1 9 111.7

Pass Def. Rating 18 110.8 21 118.5

Kickoff Returns 16 16.8 18 15.4

Turnover Margin 11 .50 19 -1.00

Field Goals T-18 .000 T-18 .000

PAT Kicking 22 .667 18 .722

Sacks By T-22 1 T-8 4

Sacks Against T-11 3 T-21 7

First Downs T-16 45 T-2 64

Opp. First Downs 7 40 24 67

Penalties 22 80.5 21 68.0

Opp. Penalties 23 20.5 5 69.3

Onside kick success 4 33.3 T-5 .000

LIGHTNING ON COACHES POLL RADAR: For the third consecutive week, the Lightning stayed in the af2 Coaches Poll by virtue of their highest offensive output (68 points) in a Week 1 victory against the Central Valley Coyotes.

WEEK 4 TOP 16

RANK TEAM PTS

1 Spokane 382 (23)

2 Arkansas 337 (1)

3 Oklahoma City 330

4 Iowa 314

5 Boise 254 (1)

6 South Georgia 250

7 W-B/Scranton 236

8 Tulsa 206

9 Kentucky 154

10 Green Bay 153

11 Manchester 142

12 Quad City 141

13 Tennessee Valley 138

14 Rio Grande Valley 82

15 Bossier-Shreveport 75

16 Stockton 74

DROPBACK: Playing in its season opener, the Spokane Shock, also playing on its home field for the first time since a heartbreaking one-point overtime defeat in last year's Arena Cup Championship, upended the Stockton Lightning (1-1) 59-42 before a sold-out crowd of 10,548 at Spokane Arena on Friday night in Week 2 of arenafootball2 play.

The Lightning, who fell to 0-8 all-time against Spokane, had their road winning streak (dating back to 2008) halted at three games.

Last week against Central Valley, the Stockton Lightning used a huge interception return for a touchdown (Nathan Kenion, 50 yds) right before half-time to help catapult the team to victory, but were undone on Friday night when Spokane returned the favor.

With the Lightning trailing 28-21 and driving for the tying touchdown just seconds before half-time, Spokane linebacker Kevin McCullough intercepted QB Andy Collins' errant pass and returned the pick forty yards for a touchdown, to seize the momentum and give the Shock a 14-point half-time lead.

Spokane never looked back, adding a pair of third quarter Raul Vijil scores - two of a total four touchdown receptions on the night for the Shock wideout - to widen the gap to 49-21 and send the Lightning packing.

Things got off to a good start for the Lightning, who took the opening kickoff and drove 48 yards in 6 plays, capped by a 28 yard touchdown reception by WR Troy McBroom to give the Lightning an early 7-0 lead.

Spokane would answer back 1:53 later, with a two-yard touchdown pass from QB Nick Davila to Vijil to tie the game 7-7. Stockton would start its next drive in the shadow of its own end zone, and failed to get a first down, turning the ball over on downs at its own 6 yard line. The Shock would take full advantage, with a 6-yard touchdown pass to WR Charles Dillon on the very next play, to put Spokane up 14-7.

Stockton would pull to within one point with a five-yard strike to McBroom (PAT failed), his second touchdown reception of the night. McBroom would finish with 11 receptions for 120 yards and three scores to lead all Lightning receivers.

Spokane padded its lead to 28-13 with a pair of Nick Davila touchdown passes in the second quarter, before Stockton answered back with a Justin Taplin touchdown catch with 6:11 remaining in the half to make the score 28-21. Stockton would get the ball back again after an interception by LB Jay Hunt, setting up the momentum-swinging drive which ended with McCullough's interception-for-touchdown.

Though the Lightning held a statistical edge in nearly every offensive category - total yards (372-263), first downs (18-15), offensive plays run (57-38) and nearly a ten-minute edge in time of possession (34:41 to 25:19) - the Lightning also committed nine costly penalties for 71 yards, many of which were false starts and delays caused by the raucous hometown crowd. The opportunistic Shock, in contrast, did not draw a single penalty in the game.

LIGHTNING VS. COYOTES - SERIES NOTES: This week's matchup between the Lightning and Coyotes is the 12th in the all-time series and the Lightning are looking for their third straight victory in the head-to-head matchup. The last time both teams met, the Lightning defeated the Coyotes 68-54 in Week 1 at Selland Arena and set the highest scoring output in Lightning season-opening games. In a series that is slowly changing its complexion, the Lightning have now won twice in a row after losing five straight times to Central Valley. In the all-time series, Central Valley owns an 8-3 lifetime record and a 5-1 all-time record at Stockton Arena in the series. The last Lightning home victory over Central Valley came on Apr. 14, 2007 by a score of 50-47.

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, 8-3

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).

Collins threw for 6 touchdowns and ran for three more to garner Russell Athletic af2 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Mar. 28 against Central Valley. A threat on the ground as well as in the air, Collins' 85 rushing yards leads in the af2 this season. He has also thrown for 299 yards per game in the air, currently leading the af2 as well.

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.

Currently ranking second in af2 scoring (23.0 points per game), Taplin leads all Lightning receivers with seven touchdown catches this year. In Week 1, his monster game of 5 touchdown receptions, 13 catches and 168 yards broke career-high marks.

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 lifetime numbers against the Coyotes:

2008 Receiving No. Yds TD Long ---------------------------------------- 5/30 vs. Cen. Valley 6 85 3 29 7/5 at Cen. Valley 9 92 1 30

2009 Receiving No. Yds TD Long ---------------------------------------- 3/28 at Cen. Valley 13 168 5 25

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 47

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 (20.5), 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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