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Kenyatte Morgan Returns, Hawkins to the AFL

October 12, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league have announced All-af2 and returning Lightning WR/DB Kenyatte Morgan has been assigned to the Lightning by the af2 league office, while Lightning FB/LB Lyndell Hawkins has been placed on the other league exempt list, following a signed contract with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League.

"With Kenyatte, we're getting a quality person, quality leader and a quality player, in that order," said Lightning head coach Doug Murray. "He brings a lot of professionalism and experience to our team, and I know for a fact his teammates are extremely excited he's chosen to come back to Stockton."

KENYATTE MORGAN RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON

Morgan, 29, returns for his second season with the Lightning after garnering All-af2 First Team honors for the second time in his af2 career in 2006, leading the league with 23.3 average kick return yards, 1,793 kick-return yards (second-best career output), four kick return touchdowns, and ranking second in the league with 2,644 all-purpose yards. Morgan's season-best for kick returns came on June 3 versus the Memphis Xplorers, returning 10 kicks for 227 yards, while posting 266 all-purpose yards.

"The core group we had last year, I felt we can build off that for this year's team," said Morgan. "I like Coach Murray, I feel like we can go far with him and excel on the football field, plus the crowds we played in front of gives you extra motivation each and every game. I fit in here, and I feel what I bring to the football team can help us excel in 2007."

Morgan had two games in 2006 with 200 kick return yards or more, while tallying 100 kick return yards or more in a stretch of six out of seven games.

Morgan was also named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week after returning five kicks for 171 yards in a Lightning 62-49 loss to the Central Valley Coyotes during week 18. In addition the product of Montana State University (NCAA) registered two touchdown receptions, two catches for 42 yards, and 1.5 tackles. In total, Morgan compiled 214 all-purpose yards, while his 171 kick return yards ranked as his fourth-best output of the season.

The U.S. Army Ironman of the Week award was the first in Morgan's career and the second overall league honor of his career, also gathering Offensive Player of the Week honors during a week 17 campaign in 2004 with Central Valley. The award was the Lightning's first weekly honor gathered in team history.

In 2004, Morgan compiled one of his finest seasons in his af2 career with the Central Valley Coyotes, leading the league with 3,458 all-purpose yards while appearing in all 16 games, leading all Coyotes receivers with 118 catches, 1,472 receiving yards, 27 touchdown receptions and 92 yards per game. Morgan returned three kickoff returns for touchdowns, and posted 1,897 kickoff return yards which ranked second-best in af2 single-season history while leading the af2 in 2004.

LYNDELL HAWKINS GETS HIS ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE SHOT

Hawkins, 24, is set to move onto the Arena Football League after posting 17.5 tackles in 14 games for the Lightning in 2006, while ranking second on the team with five sacks and three quarterback hurries. Hawkins chipped in on the offensive end with five rushing carries and three rushing touchdowns, while his best defensive effort came on June 17, registering five tackles against the Everett Hawks.

"Lyndell deserves an opportunity to play at the AFL level, he has the ability to do it, and the professional demeanor suits him well for that tier of football," said Murray. "We're very happy for him and if doesn't return this next season, I won't be upset because he's achieving his football goals and one of our goals as a football franchise is to promote our players to the next level."

The Tracy, California native spent time with the San Jose Sabercats practice squads of the Arena Football League, following four seasons of college football (2000-03) at Fresno State University (NCAA), where he earned a scholarship during his time at the school after walking on to the team as a freshman.

The 6-foot, 298-pound FB/LB was also honored with the "Bulldog Award" while at Fresno State while setting a career high 33 tackles during his junior season in 2002 and playing in all 14 games for the Bulldogs. He also helped guide the Bulldogs to four Silicon Valley Football Classic appearances in all four playing seasons, capping off his college career with a 17-9 Fresno State victory over UCLA in the 2003 game, collecting two tackles.

Hawkins was a four-year letterman and three-time team MVP while playing football at Tracy High.

The Lightning finished their inaugural 2006 arenafootball2 season with a 5-11 record, finishing fourth in the National Conference's West Division and recently hired Doug Murray as the second Head Coach in team history.

In their first season, the Lightning ranked third in af2 attendance with an average of 7,445 fans per home game. Season tickets for the 2007 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.



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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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