In the First Half Champions are Built, In the Second Half Champions are Made

Published on July 14, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


(Bakersfield, CA) - Playoff fever has hit the town of Bakersfield, and the Blitz have had an unbelievable roller coaster ride of a season. After beginning the season 1-6, Head Coach James Fuller rallied his troops and turned the season around by going 6-1 in his last seven contests. For the first time this season the Blitz have reached .500 with a record of 7-7. With the win against the Wichita Stealth last weekend and a Hawaii and San Diego loss, the West division and the National Conference, have both turned into tight playoff races.

In the West, only one game separates the Blitz and Stealth. The Islanders only hold a two game advantage on the Blitz but have a season finale showdown against them in Hawaii on July 27th. The July 27th match-up could potentially come down to be for the Western Division Championship. If the Blitz should win out the remainder of their games and the Islanders should lose out, each team would have a record of 9-7, but the Blitz would hold the head to head tiebreaker. The Blitz would then repeat as Western Division Champions securing the third seed in the 2003 playoffs and would host a home game against the sixth seed.

"We just have to go out each week and play like it's a playoff game," said defensive end Ricky Leung-Wai. "We can't be concerned with any other teams playing except for ourselves. Everybody on the team knows the million different possible scenarios but the only scenario we are looking at is going to Wichita and stealing a victory. If we do that, then we have nothing to worry about. Coach said it best, win and you're in!"

The Blitz will travel to Wichita, Kansas, to take on the Stealth Saturday night, July 19 at 5:30 pm PST. The contest will mark a rematch of the two clubs in which the Blitz defeated the Stealth 56-41 at the Centennial Garden in Week 16. Wichita is clinging onto 2nd place in the West Division and the fourth seed in the National Conference. If the Blitz can edge out a victory this weekend they will move ahead of Wichita in the National Conference. Each game becomes more and more important for the post-season. Playoff fever is here!

Numerous scenarios surround the Bakersfield Blitz and the 2003 af2 playoffs, one thing that has remained constant for the Blitz and Coach Fuller is this; "Win And You're In!"

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