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Lightning silenced by defending champs

June 4, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif.. - The Stockton Lightning (3-6) succumbed to a 73-54 loss to the defending ArenaCup Champion Memphis Xplorers (8-2) before 6,987 at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Lightning struck quickly with QB Josh Blankenship running for a one-yard score on a quarterback keeper with 12:03 left in the first. The Xplorers responded with a quick six-yard touchdown pass from QB Brian Jones to WR/DB Terrell Adams, tying the game at 7-7. Memphis's WR/DB Deon Giddens thwarted a Stockton drive when he stepped in front of a Blankenship pass for an interception, followed by the Xplorers capitalizing with OS Kevin Prentiss pulling in a 11-yard touchdown strike from Jones for a 13-7 lead, following a failed PAT.

Following the ensuing kickoff, Blankenship found WR/LB Phil Goodman for a five-yard touchdown to cap the scoring drive. Both teams exchanged scores to end the first quarter tied 20-20.

The Lightning began the second quarter with a bang with WR/LB James Newson intercepting a Jones pass and returning it to midfield. Stockton failed to capitalize on the turnover, followed by Memphis' Jones running for a 2-yard score and then on the next offensive possession, found a wide open Prentiss for a 27-yard touchdown to allow the Xplorers take a 33-20 lead into halftime.

Memphis came out strong in the third quarter, scoring on the first play of scrimmage on a 11-yard strike from Jones to WR Kenny Higgins. The Lightning responded with Blankenship connecting with Goodman for a five-yard touchdown with 11:09 left. The Xplorers scored twice more to take a 53-34 advantage into the fourth quarter, thwarting a 20-19 Lightning comeback attempt in the final quarter.

Jones led the Memphis offense by going 19-for-21 for 240 yards and six touchdowns, and two rushing scores. Prentiss led all Xplorers receivers with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Goodman caught 9 balls for 140 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Lightning, while Blankenship posted a 21-for-40 night (275 yards), along with six touchdown passes.

Attendance: 6,987

The Lightning return to play with a week 11 road matchup with the Green Bay Blizzard on Saturday, June 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PT. The game can be heard live on the internet through www.stocktonlightning.com, courtesy of SportsJuice.com.

Season tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for the Lightning 2006 home season schedule 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. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling the Stockton Arena ticket office at (209) 373-1700.

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