Rookie QB Helps Coyotes Find First Win, 42-31

Published on May 17, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Central Valley Coyotes News Release


Having only completed 12-of-22 passes in three appearances this season, rookie quarterback and former Fresno City College standout Kyle Biggs, helped guide the Coyotes to their first victory of the season with a 42-31 win over the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in front of 3,658 fans at Selland Arena.

In his first career start Biggs completed 17-of-30 passes for 255 yards and 6 touchdowns passes with no interceptions.

"I felt like I had nothing to lose out their tonight," Said Biggs. "I just went out their and acted like a little kid and played catch with my receivers tonight. This win was for the whole [Tachi-Yokut] tribe. They've stuck behind us through the whole thick and thin, and the win tonight was all for them."

Biggs completed 5-of-6 passes on the opening drive to setup the opening score for the Coyotes. He found fullback/linebacker Marshall Blount wide open on the right sideline for a 17-yard TD. The Coyotes and Biggs would never look back from then on.

Central Valley's defense stepped up their game tonight forcing two interceptions, three sacks and one forced fumble.

The Coyotes defense forced a four-and-out and the Dorados opening possession when ADT Defensive Player of the Game Halakilangi Muagututia (10 tackles, 8-solo and 3 pass deflections) hit Rio Grande Valley wide receiver Jimel Cofer, causing him to drop the ball on 4th-and 2.

"I'm honored to receive the award, but I'm happier that as a team we got a win," said Muagututia. "If it wasn't for our defensive line and linebackers, then I wouldn't have been able to make the plays I did out here tonight, so the award should really go to our entire defense."

The Coyotes took over on downs at their own 24-yard line, but sputtered on their drive forcing kicker Justin Levine to attempt a 34-yard field goal. The field goal attempt missed left and the Dorados took over on possession.

Rio Grande Valley drove down to the Central Valley 4-yard line as time expired in the 1st quarter, giving the Coyotes their first shutout quarter in the first half on the year.

Dorados quarterback Will Burch (10-of-18 for 100-yards, 2 TD's and 2 interceptions) found receiver Donte Wells in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown to get Rio Grande Valley on the board. The Dorados missed the PAT and the score stood at 7-6 in favor of the Coyotes.

The Coyotes offense began their next drive at their in 18-yard line. Biggs hooked up with receiver LaMonte Jones (3 receptions for 53 yards and 2 TD's) on a 27 yard pass which brought Central Valley down to the Dorados 5-yard line. The Coyotes offense had the door shut on them, as defensive pressure and two incomplete passes forced a turnover on possession.

Central Valley answered right back on defense as defensive end Ricky Leung-Wai tackled quarterback Will Burch on the second play of the drive, for the first of his three sacks on the night. The following play defensive specialist VonKeith Spencer picked off Burch at the Dorados 23 yard line, giving Spencer his 5th consecutive interception in five games.

"I didn't think he was going to make the throw," said Spencer. "As the defensive line got pressure and he rolled out, he actually got hit as he was throwing it, so the pass was short and I was able to come up and make the interception. I don't know what the defensive line ate before the game tonight, but they better keep eating it before every game."

It only took the Coyotes offense two plays to find the end zone as Biggs hooked up with offensive specialist Kenyatte Morgan (8 receptions for 132 yards) on a seven yard pass for his first of four touchdowns.

"I guess it was just my night tonight, Biggs delivered the ball and I went up their and tried to make some plays," said Morgan. "I thought I needed to come out this game and make some plays and get the crowd and my teammates into the game to get us going. I took it upon myself, at least this week to get my teammates going and bring us closer together to help us get this win tonight. I'm happy of the outcome and I'm also ready to go to Hawaii next week."

Newly acquired wide receiver/defensive back Darnell Lacy intercepted a Burch pass on the third play of the Dorados next drive giving the offense the ball back on their own three yard line.

A couple of penalties and a sack would bring out kicker Justin Levine again to attempt a 65-yard field goal that hit the scoreboard and gave Rio Grande Valley the ball on their own 20-yardline.

With 39 seconds remaining in the half, Burch connected with Mike Duncan on a seven yard pass for a touchdown. The two-point conversion try would fail, and the score was 14-12.

Central Valley's offense scored again on a 28-yard, 4-play drive that was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Biggs to Morgan.

The defense would hold the Dorados offense to end the half with the score at 21-12.

Rio Grande Valley received the ball to open the second half, starting their drive at their own five yard line. Backup quarterback Abel Gonzalez replaced Will Burch, completing 4-of-5 passes on his opening drive taking the Dorados down to the Central Valley three. Another Leung-Wai sack would force Rio Grande Valley kicker Eric Houle to attempt a 24-yard field goal which missed right.

The Coyotes would score again in the third quarter on a tipped pass by a Dorados defender which fell into the hands of LaMonte Jones for a touchdown.

The Coyotes would end the third quarter with a 35-12 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Rio Grande Valley scored two unanswered touchdowns to cut the lead to 17 points. Kyle Biggs stepped up finding Kenyatte Morgan in the end zone on a 29-yard pass.

The Dorados would find the end zone one more time on the night, but time was not on Rio Grande Valley's side, as an onside kick attempt was recovered by the Coyotes to seal the victory, 42-31.

"It was just great for the kids to get that taste of victory," said Head Coach Cree Morris. "The kids really had a good week of practice and we had guys step up all game tonight. The defense played an outstanding game, defensive coordinator Doug Murray called a great game tonight and he deserves a lot of credit for the win."

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