Kickoff Week: Friday Night Matchup
Published on March 19, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
TRI-CITIES FEVER (0-0) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (0-0)
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 - Selland Arena (5,487) 10:00 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online
The af2's 10th anniversary season officially gets started on Friday when the Central Valley Coyotes host West Division rival Tri-Cities. The Fever enter 2009 with renewed optimism despite winning just four games a year ago. They began their transformation this summer when they hired veteran coach Richard Davis. Davis owns 46 career wins in six af2 seasons. Davis has rebuilt the Tri-Cities roster almost completely. Currently only two players from last year's team are likely to see action in Friday's contest - DB Ray Little and DL Chuck Jones. Little didn't see a lot of action in 2008 but managed to make an impression with 11 tackles and two interceptions in three games. Jones, in seven games, ranked second on the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (6.5). Last season's impact players such as WR J.R. Thomas, DL Johnny Jackson, DB Charles Ealy and WR/DB Emery Beckles will not be back, either electing to join other teams or step away from the game entirely. Fever fan favorite WR/LB Phil Goodman is a possibility to return at some point but has yet to report to camp. Despite the defections, the good news is DB Jamie Hattley is back in town. Hattley played for the Fever in 2007 and began the year with the club in 2008 before being dealt to Arkansas early on. He finished with 62.5 tackles and five INTs in 14 games with the Twisters. On offense, Tri-Cities will likely start second-year signal caller Joe Ayoob under center. Fittingly, his first start as a Fever player could come against his former team. In nine contests with the Coyotes in 2008, the former California Bear threw 36 TD passes against just four interceptions. A host of rookie receivers are currently vying to be Ayoob's favorite target. Look for rookie Tremaine Kirkland, who played two seasons at Portland State, to be a factor early in the passing game. Central Valley (No. 9 in preseason coaches poll) looks to continue its impressive streak of success in recent years. The team has reached the postseason three straight years under the guidance of Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. This year's Coyotes cast features a solid collection of veteran playmakers on both sides of the ball. Biletnikoff's receiving corps might be one of the best in the af2 in 2009. The trio is comprised of LaMonte Jones, who starred in Central Valley before playing most recently with the Fever, John Roberson and George Williams. Jones led Tri-Cities in receiving last year with 114 grabs for 1,442 yards. Roberson is coming off his best af2 campaign in 2008, leading Austin and ranking among the af2's elite with 131 catches for 1,734 yards and 35 TDs. Williams, a seven-year veteran, is one of the league's all-time best. He currently ranks second in af2 history in scoring and touchdowns. Jason Murrietta, last year a backup in Spokane (22 TD passes, 7 INTs in 9 games), is the likely candidate to start for the Coyotes at QB on opening night. On the defensive side, the Coyotes boast returnees DL Donyell Booker and LB Wes Borba and new addition DB Charles Ealy, another former Fever player. Booker had 12.0 sacks in 2008 while Borba led the club in tackles (65.5) and INTs (7). Ealy paced Tri-Cities in tackles (68.5) and INTs (7) a year ago as well. This game should start slow but pick up quickly. If Murrietta stays patient, expect the veteran Coyotes to pull away from the young Fever in the second half.
FEVER COYOTES SERIES LEADER Central Valley leads 3-2
LAST MEETING Central Valley won 70-63 on 7/26/08
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 4-1
LAST GAME Lost 63-70 vs. Central Valley on 7/26/08 Lost 63-83 vs. Spokane on 8/9/08
2008 LEADERS 2008 FEVER 2008 COYOTES PASSING Ena: 131-243-14; 1736; 36 TDs Groefsema: 160-237-8; 1860; 42 TDs
RECEIVING Jones, L: 114-1442; 21 TDs Barnes: 103-1133; 19 TDs
RUSHING Ena: 33-132; 5 TDs Walker: 32-122; 3 TDs
TACKLES Ealy: 68.5 Borba: 65.5
SACKS Jackson: 11 McCombs: 13.5
INTERCEPTIONS Ealy: 7 Borba: 7
KICKING Walls: 75-83 PAT; 3-14 FG; 84 PTs Bjork: 70-96 PAT; 2-6 FG; 76 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 42.9 PPG; 249.7 YPG 55.1 PPG; 261.8 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 54.7 PPG; 235.9 YPG 48.5 PPG; 263.7 YPG
arenafootball2 Stories from March 19, 2009
- af2 2009 west division preview - af2
- Burn sign Pac-10 center; add U of I lineman to 2009 roster - Boise Burn
- Kickoff Week: Friday Night Matchup - af2
- Shock win, 35-28, over Twisters - Spokane Shock
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