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Number One Scoring Offense To Be Put To The Test

July 13, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


(Fresno, Calif.) - With three games left in the regular season and the playoffs at their finger tips the Central Valley Coyotes lost their rookie QB Clay Groefsema for the remainder of the regular season and possibly the remainder of the year if they make the playoffs.

In the fourth quarter of the Coyotes 82-63 drumming of the Stockton Lightning last Saturday night Groefsema broke a finger on his throwing hand that will cause him to undergo surgery this week. This season Groefsema had done a great job of continuing the role of quarterback excellence for the Coyotes as his overall numbers are very comparable to former Coyote QB greats Juston Wood (2005) and Scott Rislov (2006), both of whom are in the AFL. In 13 games Groefsema has thrown 75 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions for 3,509 yards. He has guided the Coyotes to the #1 spot in the league in Scoring (60.3 ppg), Total First Downs (283), and Red Zone Offense scoring 90.6% of the time in the Red Zone. "Clay has done a great job this year with his legs and with his arm," stated Head Coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. "He has accounted for 90 touchdowns this year and was well on his way to accounting for more touchdowns than Juston or Scott. Clay is a special player, a special person, and he's going to be missed on the field."

However, Biletnikoff feels that season long backup QB Brian Luke will carry the team right into the playoffs. "Brian has been here all year long and we have no trepidations that he'll be able to fill right in where Clay left off. He's been here for every practice, every QB meeting and every game. He knows exactly how this offense runs and he's been very patient this season. It's Brian's turn and he has been prepared, and is prepared, for what's ahead of him."

Biletnikoff should have no worries as Luke has not thrown an incomplete pass all season. He has played in three games for the Coyotes and has gone 7 of 7 for 134 yards 3 touchdowns and one 2 point play pass. Last Saturday against Stockton Luke relieved the injury Groefsema and went 5 of 5 for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns.

You can get more information on Coyotes final regular season game as the Bakersfield Blitz come to Selland Arena Saturday July 28th and information on group or individual game tickets, by contacting the Central Valley Coyotes at (559) 263-9780 or by visiting www.centralvalleycoyotes.com.

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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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