Riptide Seek Revenge over Rivals
June 1, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2005
Kickoff : 7:00 p.m. PST
Giveaway : First 2,000 fans receive a set of thunderstix
Radio : World Talk Radio
Series Record : SDG 1 â BAK 5
Game Preview : The 2005 Riptide- Bakersfield Blitz series has been a highly competitive rivalry with Bakersfield winning both previous meetings. The Riptide suffered their first loss of the season to the Blitz, 57-30, after being held to just 219 yards of total offense. In that contest, Nian Taylor hauled in 10 receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns while Asi Faoa recorded two sacks. Bakersfield's (then) quarterback Chad Elliot completed five touchdown passes while fullbacks Jabari Jackson and Nick Onaindia each chipped in with one touchdown each on the ground. The second meeting between the two teams was a defensive struggle; neither team scored over 30 points.
The rivalry has become a rough and tumble series with Bakersfield having notched 41 penalties for a loss of 310 yards in both games against the âTide. The second time the teams met, the Blitz accounted for 22 penalties, one shy of the af2 single game record. The Blitz recorded 92 penalties in just eight games. The current af2 single season record for penalties is 190, set by the Norfolk Nighthawks in 2002.
The Riptide offense proved that the 14 points scored against Bakersfield was not a sign of things to come, denting the scoreboard with 70 points against Central Valley last weekend. Offensive specialist Steve Gonzalez recorded a breakout game hauling in eight receptions for 147 yards and four touchdowns, throwing his first career touchdown pass, and returning six kickoffs for 72 yards. Asi Faoa also chipped in with his seventh sack of the season. Although the loss was another setback, San Diego is looking forward to redemption in front of their home crowd. Last season, the âTides lone victory over the Blitz came at home in their last meeting of 2004.
San Diego will be facing one of the leagues greatest defenses. They are currently ranked 2nd in the league in total defense, 1st in passing defense and 3rd in scoring defense. The Blitz defense has held the âTide to just 44 points in their last two meetings. The team's defense is led by Kharee Shorter, who is currently ranked 9th in the league in tackles (44.5) and 1st in tackles for loss (6).
The Blitz offense has struggled this season, currently ranked at the bottom in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense, and scoring (non-kick). Rookie quarterback Jason Thomas has thrown for just 17 touchdowns and 1,028 yards in seven games. But it has been a different story for Thomas on the ground. He leads the team in rushing with 137 net rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The team's fullbacks have combined for 106 yards on the ground. The team's rushing game currently ranks 2nd in af2 in rushing offense.
Saturday's match up will prove to be another contest between two bitter rivals and tickets are still available. The first 2,000 fans will receive a set of thunderstix. Halftime will also feature a performance by the Junior Heatwave dancers. Call 866-RIPTIDE for more information.
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