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Lightning drop season finale

July 30, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning (5-11) fell to a 62-49 loss in their inaugural season finale against the playoff bound Central Valley Coyotes (12-4) in front of 8,366 at Stockton Arena Saturday night.

Central Valley QB Scott Rislov made arena football history when he tied the all-time af2 single season touchdown pass record (99 touchdowns), courtesy of a 34-yard touchdown connection with OS Marvin Brown. After Stockton quickly responded on a 25-yard touchdown reception by WR/DB Kenyatte Morgan from QB Josh Blankenship, Rislov broke the touchdown pass by hitting OL/DL Donyell Booker for a short 2-yard score with 6:02 left in the first period. Both teams exchanged touchdowns to end the first quarter with the Coyotes leading 21-14.

Stockton ended the first half on a 13-7 run due to two excellent alert plays. The first occurred when WR/LB James Newson recovered a fumble by Maeko in the end zone for a touchdown with 3:02 left in the second frame. On the ensuing Central Valley offensive possession the Lightning defense forced a crucial fumble and recovered the football to regain possession. Stockton took advantage of the turnover in the form of a 19-yard touchdown grab by Maeko to bring the score to 34-27. The Lightning went into halftime trailing the Coyotes 41-27.

Fueled by Morgan's long second half touchdown return deep in Coyotes territory, the Lightning quickly got on the board when Blankenship found Newson in the end zone for a 8-yard score to reduce the Stockton deficit 41-33. Stockton's defense stepped up the defensive pressure holding Central Valley to only 7 points in the third period and ending the third quarter behind only 48-43.

The Lightning put on a furious rally in the fourth period, but could only manage one more touchdown rest of the way courtesy of another 4-yard bullet caught by Newson from Blankenship. While the Coyotes scored twice more to pull away for a 62-49 victory.

Central Valley quarterback Scott Rislov completed 30 of 37 passes for 341 yards and 8 touchdowns bringing his record setting single season total to 106 touchdowns, and earning himself Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Lightning WR/DB Kenyatte Morgan had another excellent game returning the football accumulating 171 yards on 5 kickoff returns, while also earning U.S. Army Defensive Player of the Game honors.

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