Islanders Hang on for Win

Published on April 25, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Honolulu, Hawai'i – A goal line stand as time expired held the lead for the Hawai'i Islanders gave them a 45-40 win over the Bakersfield Blitz, and sole possession of first place in the West Division, at the Neal Blaisdell Arena on Saturday night.

The two clubs exchanged touchdowns in a tight first half. Ben McCombs recorded a pair of rushing scores for Bakersfield, and QB Chad Elliott threw for a couple touchdowns as well. Nathan Munson and Eric Mahanke both pulled in touchdown catches, with Mahanke extending his team-leading touchdown total to eight. Islander's QB Darnell Arseneaux proved his reputation as a double threat with a pair of touchdown bolts, one of which was a 16-yard scramble, and one touchdown toss.

Despite all the offense, it was the Blitz defense that gave Bakersfield the lead at the half. McCombs put himself on the board again, this time with a tackle of the Hawai'i quarterback in the end zone to snap the tie and make it 23-21. It was McCombs second touchdown rush of the game that made it 30-21 after two quarters.

Bakersfield saw the lead erased in the third quarter, however, as the Hawai'i defense stood tall. The Blitz managed just three points in the third quarter while the Islanders scored twice – once on the ground and once through the air. A touchdown catch by Mahanke with 4:29 left in the game pulled the Blitz within two points. Arseneaux led the Islanders down the field on their next possession, eating away at the clock in the process. Bakersfield kept them to just a field goal, making it 45-40 Hawai'I with just 33 seconds left in the game.

Elliott and the Blitz made quick work, moving from their own 13 yard line to the Islanders-5. A pass interference call against Hawai'i brought them to the two-yard line with just 6.6 seconds left. A pass for Mahanke dropped harmlessly to the turf incomplete with three seconds remaining. The stand was complete when McCombs was stuffed at he goal line trying to plunge in as the clock expired.

Hawai'i moves into first place with the win, improving to 3-1 on the season. The Blitz drop to 2-2 and second place, with their next three matches on home turf.

The Blitz return home for the first of three straight at Centennial Garden next weekend, with a May 1st match against the Arkansas Twisters (1-2). Everyone in attendance will receive a 2004 Blitz team poster, and a visit from The Famous Chicken will entertain the crowd, courtesy of KRAB Radio and Kern Schools Federal Credit Union. Kickoff is 7:00pm.

Season tickets for the Blitz start at just $63, and are on sale now by contacting the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548) or by stopping by the Bakersfield Sports Entertainment office located at Centennial Garden. Log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com to stay up-to-date with the latest team information.

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