Mahanke Grabs League Award

Published on July 13, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. – On the heels of a 43-41 road victory for the Bakersfield Blitz over the Hawaiian Islanders, the af2 league office handed out their weekly U.S. Army Ironman of the Week award to Blitz WR/LB Eric Mahanke. The honor is the first weekly bid from the af2 league office to go to a member of the Blitz, who are currently the second seed in the National Conference.

Mahanke is in his third season in the af2 and is the Blitz receiving leader, ranking sixth in the league in receptions and 10th in receiving yards. On Saturday night in Hawaii he pulled in three catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Fresno State grad has at least one touchdown catch in every Blitz game this season, a streak of 13 consecutive games.

Defensively, Mahanke had 5.5 tackles, a half sack and a forced fumble that ended an Islanders drive early in the third quarter. His tackle total was the second highest of any player in the game (to only teammate Mel Miller) and second highest personal total on the season. Mahanke also established a new personal mark for receiving yards in a season, reaching 1,187 on the year (breaking his total from last season of 1,129).

To top it off, Mahanke will be a guest this Thursday on the Indoor War Report – the weekly Blitz talk show that airs on KGEO AM 1230 live from the Holiday Inn Select from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The Blitz hit the turf in Bakersfield again on Saturday, July 17th at 7:00pm against the Central Valley Coyotes. That night, the first 2,000 kids 12 and under will get a free bobblehead doll of star Blitz QB Chad Elliott, sponsored by KGET-TV 17 and Del Taco. The famous Del Taco Dan will be in the house as well, and the first 1,000 fans through the turnstiles will get a free $5 Del Taco gift certificate.

The game also features the first-ever Foam Football Fling to benefit the Bakersfield Police Activities League. Fans are encouraged to bring a toy foam football to the game and when the Blitz scores their first touchdown of the game, throw the balls onto the field. They will be collected and donated to PAL. In addition, there will be a silent jersey auction of Blitz jerseys from 2003. The funds raised will be split between two organizations, the Epilepsy Society through the Haylee's Hope program (established for Blitz Coach Paul Press' daughter Haylee) and the Center for Craniofacial Disorders.

All Blitz games, home and away, can be heard on KGEO AM 1230 with the "Voice of the Blitz" Kevin Bartl. "Countdown to Kickoff" begins 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.

Group outings for the Blitz are on sale now by contacting the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548) or by stopping by the Bakersfield Sports Entertainment office located at Centennial Garden. The Garden box office is open Monday through Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm and opens at noon on Saturday. For up-to-date information on the Blitz log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com.

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arenafootball2 Stories from July 13, 2004


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