Stockton Lose Due to Fourth Quarter Comeback

July 9, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


CENTRAL VALLEY 58 - STOCKTON 46

FRESNO, Calif. - Three late scores enabled the Central Valley Coyotes (9-4) to stage a fourth-quarter comeback and 30-point run in a Stockton Lightning 58-46 loss to Central Valley, before 2,492 at Selland Arena on Saturday night.

In spite of the setback, the Lightning stay mathematically alive for an ArenaCup playoff berth, parlayed with a Bakersfield Blitz loss to the Everett Hawks. The Lightning remain two games back of the final berth with three games to play.

Entering the second half trailing 26-23, the Lightning went on a third quarter 13-2 run, beginning with QB Josh Blankenship's 32-yard bomb to WR Kenyatte Morgan, which gave Stockton their first lead of the game at 30-26 with 13:06 left. Blankenship then converted a 1-yard quarterback keeper through the middle to expand the Lightning cushion to 36-26 with 3:43 left. K Mark Hickok's ensuing extra-point try was blocked and returned the length of the field by Central Valley's Kenny Haslip for a two-point score, cutting the Lightning lead to eight.

The fourth quarter began with both teams trading two scores apiece, with the Coyotes benefiting off two Lamonte Jones touchdown receptions and the Lightning riding a WR Phil Goodman 24-yard touchdown catch and the second of two Marc Hickok field goals, as Stockton assumed a 46-42 lead with 6:07 left. Central Valley spun a game-ending 16-0 run with a back-to-back Donyell Booker touchdown reception and safety, followed by FB Vai Notota's 10-yard run to seal the contest.

Blankenship posted an 18-for-32 night (271 yards) for the Lightning, while Goodman and Morgan notched two touchdown catches each. Coyotes QB Scott Rislov tied a season-high mark with seven touchdown passes, posting a 35-for-51 performance (327 yards) to garner Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. DS Clyde Surrell, who snagged Rislov's only interception of the game, posted ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. The Lightning return to play with a week 16 matchup against the Spokane Shock on Saturday, July 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet through www.stocktonlightning.com, courtesy of SportsJuice.com.

Tickets for the final two Lightning home games for the 2006 regular season 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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