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Lightning Host Central Valley on Saturday

July 11, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


GAME PREVIEW: STOCKTON LIGHTNING vs. CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES

QUICK FACTS:

Stockton Lightning (4-9)

vs. Central Valley Coyotes (3-10)

Date: July 11, 2009

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Site: Stockton Arena (9,919)

Internet: www.NiFTyTV.com/af2 (Mike Benton, J.J. Stokes, Steve McElroy)

Officials: Referee - Dave Cutaia; Umpire - Matt Jordan; Head Linesman - Ed Walker; Line Judge - Jim Wharrie; Back Judge - Ken Sarna

Public Address: Scott Moak

National Anthem: Ralph Cooper

Color Guard: Police Department, City of Stockton

Coin Toss: "Lucas" (97.7/98.3 KWIN)

Series Record: Stockton leads, 4-3

Coaches: Chad Carlson (Stockton - 13-25 overall, 2nd season)

Fred Biletnikoff Jr. (Central Valley - 45-40; 6th Season)

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Lightning: Mike Benton (O: 209-373-1520; C: 209-993-8458)

Jeff Zavatsky (O: 209-373-1519; C: 925-330-9243)

Coyotes: Bryan Whitmore (O: 559-263-9780)

THE STAKES: It's all about the playoffs with three weeks to go in the regular season. Despite a three game losing streak, at stake for the Stockton Lightning is redemption by the form of possibly clinching their first wild card berth in franchise history with a win. Entering Saturday's contest against the Central Valley Coyotes, the Lightning stand a game ahead of their opponent and two games ahead of Tri-Cities and Corpus Christi, who must win to stay alive in the playoff race. The Lightning can clinch the season series (3-1) against Central Valley with a victory. The Lightning also aim to avenge a 65-58 loss in Stockton on April 18 when Central Valley scored 14 points in the final minute.

If Stockton defeats Central Valley it would ...

- Give the Lightning a 3-1 regular season record vs. Central Valley

- Help the Lightning clinch at least a tie for a National Conference wild card berth (STK win plus TRI, CC losses clinches Lightning postseason berth outright)

ARENAFOOTBALL2 PLAYOFF RACE

For the third straight season the af2 playoffs will feature a format where 16 teams have the opportunity to claim the league's ultimate prize. The four-week race for the 2009 ArenaCup title begins with eight first round affairs on the weekend of July 31-August 2.

The eight qualifying teams in each conference consist of the three division champions and five Wild Cards, determined by best overall record. Seeding in each conference is based on overall record, with the top three seeds in each conference reserved for the division champions, regardless of record.

In the First Round (July 31-August 2), the first three seeds in each conference are the three division winners. The next five teams are seeded by next best five overall records. Teams ranked 1-4 earn home playoff games with 1 hosting 8, 2 hosting 7, 3 hosting 6 and 4 hosting 5.

In the Second Round (August 7-9), the winner of the 1-8 game plays the winner of the 4-5 game. The winner of the 2-7 game plays the winner of the 3-6 game. The home team is decided by the team with the higher seed.

The winners of the Second Round will meet for the Conference Championships on the weekend of August 14-16. The winners of the Conference Championships face off in the 2009 ArenaCup on the weekend of August 21-23 in Las Vegas at Orleans Arena.

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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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