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Week One: Saturday Matchups

March 27, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


FLORIDA FIRECATS (0-1) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (1-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Florida Firecats travel to Albany, Ga. to do battle with South Division rival South Georgia in what is their second head-to-head matchup against one another in as many weeks. Last Saturday the Wildcats held on for a 54-53 victory at Florida after the Firecats K Garrett Rivas missed a 24-yard field goal as time expired. Florida had three one-play scoring drives in the contest and an impressive third quarter defensive stand. However, QB Cecil Lester had the hot hand for the Wildcats in the second quarter as he tossed all four of his touchdowns in the 15-minutes stretch. He was replaced by the game's starter Darnell Kennedy in the 4th quarter. Kennedy scored the game tying TD on a 1-yard plunge with 1:48 to go in the game. Jared Guberman's extra point proved to be the game winner. WR Kelvin Dickens led South Georgia with a game-high three touchdown receptions. Florida QB Chris Wallace threw for 233 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another in the loss. He earned Offensive Player of the Game honors for his individual effort. Veteran Chris McKinney (JLS Ironman of the Game) led all receivers with nine catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. He added a 32-yard scoring run as well. WR Magic Benton had a pair of touchdowns and rookie FB Dusty Bear found the end zone twice on the ground. South Georgia LB Kinny Spotwood earned Defensive Player of the Week Game and Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. The second-year linebacker from Tulsa recorded 2.5 total tackles and a key fumble recovery touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The turning-point play came with South Georgia trailing 40-47 with just under four minutes to play. After Wildcats DL Tito Hannah came around the edge to strip the football from Wallace near his own goal line, Spotwood was Johnny on the spot and scooped the ball up at the 1-yard line and dove into the end zone for the score. With Saturday's win, South Georgia tied the all-time series with the Firecats, 8-8. If last week's game is any indication, this Friday's tilt should be just as intense.

FIRECATS WILDCATS SERIES LEADER Series tied 8-8

LAST MEETING South Georgia won 54-53 on 3/21/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Lost 53-54 vs S. Georgia on 3/21/09 Won 54-53 vs. Florida on 3/21/09

LEADERS FIRECATS WILDCATS PASSING Wallace: 18-28-0; 233; 4 TDs Lester: 14-26-0; 162; 4 TDs

RECEIVING McKinney: 9-101; 1 TD Robinson: 6-85; 0 TDs

RUSHING McKinney: 5-49; 1 TD Kennedy: 2-14; 1 TD

TACKLES Tisdale: 7 Burrell: 6

SACKS Chapman: 1 Hannah: 1

INTERCEPTIONS None None

KICKING Rivas: 5-8 PAT; 0-2 FG 5 PTs Guberman: 6-8 PAT; 0-0 FG 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 53 PPG; 287 YPG 54 PPG; 275 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 54 PPG; 275 YPG 53 PPG; 287 YPG

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (0-0) AT GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (0-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - The Resch Center (7,695) 8:00 P.M. ET

In this season's first out of division showdown, the Green Bay Blizzard host the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers. Last year's Tennessee Valley team got off to a slow start, losing its first three games before winning 10 of its last 13 games to head into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. In the postseason, the Vipers took out top seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the road in the conference semifinals before defeating Manchester at home to earn the right to play in the ArenaCup. Tennessee Valley scored another upset win in the final against the heavily-favored hosts from Spokane. In what would later come to be known as the greatest af2 game in league history, the Vipers defeated the Shock, 56-55, in overtime on a game-winning two-point conversion run by backup QB Tony Colston. After last year's amazing run, Head Coach Dean Cokinos could've felt justified in being a bit complacent, but that's not what happened. Instead of resting on his accomplishments, Cokinos went right back to work to secure another highly competitive team for 2009. On offense, a number of key returnees from the title team of 2008 are back, including QB Kevin Eakin and WR/KR Travis Blanchard. Eakin threw 51 TDs in 12 games for the Vipers while Blanchard, an All-Ironman team honoree in 2008, led the team with 13 rushing TDs in addition to 37.5 total tackles and three interceptions on defense. Speaking of defense, All-af2 First Team DL Eric Scott and Demetrius Derico, quarterback of the secondary, have also returned to Huntsville. Scott led the squad with 17.5 sacks while Derico paced the Vipers with 79 total tackles, nine interceptions and 17 pass breakups. Desmond Foster is another quality defensive back who chose to come back for another season the Vipers. In 2008, Foster ranked second in tackles with 66.5 while adding three interceptions and seven pass breakups. Two new additions to note are WR/LB Bradly Chavez, the 2008 af2 Ironman of the Year, and LB Keller Speaks. Chavez, honored as being the league's top two-way threat a year ago, led the Manchester Wolves in receptions (86), receiving touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (33) and scoring (202) and finished third on the squad in receiving yards (1,147). The 6-2, 205-pound standout also lined up at the Jack Linebacker position for the Wolves in 2008. On defense, Chavez led the team in fumble recoveries with three (one return TD) and finished second in tackles with 38 (34 solo, 8 asst). He also placed second on the squad in forced fumbles (3), tied for second in interceptions (2; 1 return TD) and ranked third in tackles for loss (5). Speaks, who played last season in Louisville, had 30.5 tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles in 15 games played with the Fire. Last year's Tennessee Valley team was a surprise. This year's edition won't sneak up on anyone. The Blizzard enter 2009 looking to extend their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to five. In recent years, defense has been Green Bay's calling card. This season, however, the Blizzard look to be more formidable on offense. The key ingredients back in the mix on offense are QB Gino Guidugli and First Team All-af2 C Raymond McNeil. This year it's Guidugli's job to QB and he has the experience and skill to produce big-time results. In three games played last season, including two playoff starts, Guidugli threw 14 TD passes against just one interception. In 2007, the Cincinnati alum threw 40 TD passes in 10 game appearances. Another player to watch for Green Bay on offense is newcomer Orlando Medlock, a fullback who finished third in the af2 in rushing yards a year ago with the Lubbock Renegades. Another new face who may turn into a favorite target for Guidugli is WR Brian Hernandez. Hernandez caught eight touchdowns in just four games last season with Boise. On the defensive side of things, league veterans DB Tracy Belton and LB David Ihedigbo will likely lead a restructured defense. Belton led Arkansas in 2008 and ranked among the league leaders with 34 passes defended and six interceptions to go along with 56 total tackles. Ihedigbo led Amarillo in 2007 with 60 total tackles along with 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. The main question mark for Green Bay lies on the defensive line where a group of rookies will be relied on to make up for the loss of All-af2 performers Joe Sykes and Odell Willis. This game features two old-fashioned af2 powers. It should be a fierce battle from start to finish

VIPERS BLIZZARD SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1

LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley won, 26-21, on 5/4/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2

LAST GAME Won 56-55 vs. Spokane on 8/25/09 Lost vs. Manchester 54-55 on 8/9/08

LEADERS 2008 VIPERS 2008 BLIZZARD PASSING Eakin: 239-380-7; 2515; 51 TDs Drafts: 121-209-7; 1473; 27 TDs

RECEIVING Brown: 109-1305; 27 TDs Burnoski: 83-1103; 24 TDs

RUSHING Eakin: 20-185; 3 TDs Young: 56-241; 8 TDs

TACKLES Derico: 79 Green: 87.5

SACKS Scott: 17.5 Sykes: 19.5

INTERCEPTIONS Derico: 9 Midlam: 12

KICKING Hayes: 102-116 PAT; 13-27 FG 141 PTs Forstrom: 75-94 PAT; 15-41 FG 120 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 54.3 PPG; 2649 YPG 48.2 PPG; 2546 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 43.8 PPG; 2484 YPG 38.1 PPG; 2002 YPG

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (0-0) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - ALLTEL Arena (6,820) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings and Arkansas Twisters both hope to start their season on a good note when the Twisters host their new division rivals on Saturday. BattleWings Head Coach Jon Norris looks to have his team loaded up for another successful run in 2009. Last year he led Bossier-Shreveport to its first-ever division title and second straight trip to the playoffs. Thanks to the BattleWings success in 2008, a number of notable players are back on board for 2009. One familiar face is FB/LB Jason Schule. Schule enjoyed another stellar season for Bossier-Shreveport in 2008, earning First Team All-af2 honors for the second straight year. The fourth-year player led the league in rushing touchdowns with 19 and ranked second in rushing yards with 318. The BattleWings also return their top two receivers from a year ago, Chavis McCollister and Manwell Talbert. McCollister also ranked second in the league in scoring with 264 points on 44 total touchdowns. On the defensive side, Bossier-Shreveport got some early-season good news as LB Marvin Byrdsong, one of the team's top players from 2008, also committed to return. Byrdsong led the BattleWings in tackles for loss, sacks and fumble recoveries a year ago while ranking fifth in total tackles. While the team's strong core of returning players is big news, the most notable offseason acquisition has to be on the coaching staff. Derek Stingley, the 2008 Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year, joined the BattleWings after a brief stint as Defensive Coordinator for the now defunct New Orleans VooDoo of the AFL. Stingley was awarded the af2 Coach of the Year after he led South Georgia to a 12-4 regular season record and the South Division title. His addition led a number of his best players from the Wildcats to join him in Louisiana, namely All-af2 WR/KR P.J. Berry, All-af2 DB Roland Cola, DB Pierre Lee, WR Buchie Ibeh, QB Andrico Hines and DL Joe Woolridge. Cola and Lee will team up with returnee Dustin Johnson to form a strong defensive secondary. Berry and Ibeh will form a fearsome foursome with McCollister and Talbert. Woolridge will be a factor up front after leading South Georgia in sacks in 2008. And last but not least, Hines had a career-best 67 TD passes last year and should fill in admirably for last year's starting signal caller Gary Cooper. With this talented group of experienced veterans on the field and Norris back at the controls, Bossier-Shreveport fans should be excited about this team's potential to claim its second straight division title and book its third straight trip to the postseason. As one of the founding members of the af2, the Twisters celebrate their 10th season of play in 2009. This year the Twisters would also like to celebrate their fourth consecutive playoff berth and potentially their first-ever division title. Behind Head Coach Chris Siegfried and QB Kyle Rowley, both league veterans in their first seasons with Arkansas, the Twisters won 11 regular season games in 2008 and fell one win short of a division championship. Both Siegfried and Rowley are back for another run in 2009. Siegfried, who owns 68 career wins, is one of the best coaches in league history. Rowley had his best statistical year in 2008 with 89 TD passes, 4,393 yards passing and a league-high 125.2 passer rating. Arkansas lost several major playmakers in the offseason. Trying to replace Chris Denney, Jamaal Perry and Jon Schoonover at the receiver position will be Steve Bergeski and rookies such as Robert Johnson and Tyre Burks. Bergeski, who had a banner rookie year in 2007 with Amarillo, was limited last season with injuries and caught only 14 passes for 191 yards in eight games. Siegfried hopes a healthy Bergeski can return to his old form and the rookies can make an immediate impact. A new addition at FB/LB that should factor in the Twisters offense is Brandon Isaiah. Isaiah played in the af2 with Tennessee Valley in 2007. A major player with AFL experience that Siegfried secured for 2009 is DL Jerry Turner. Before being promoted to the AFL in 2007, the 6-3, 270-pounder won the af2 Lineman of the Year Award in 2006 for his stellar season with the Bakersfield Blitz. That year Turner turned in a team-record 16 sacks (T-1st in af2) in just 14 games. He still ranks tied for third in league history with 37.5 career sacks. Siegfried hopes Turner's presence up front will aid his young group of defensemen in the secondary. DBs Ahmad Brown, Roderick Knight and Travis Williams are all af2 rookies. Arkansas looks to be in good shape along the offensive line where experienced returnees Isaac Morales and Chris Tucker will team up with league veterans Brandon Leyritz and Derik Stotland. Although Arkansas owns the series, this game should be a good showing for the BattleWings and their upgraded roster.

BATTLEWINGS TWISTERS SERIES LEADER Arkansas leads 9-4

LAST MEETING Bossier-Shreveport won 80-69 on 7/19/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Amarillo 45-59 on 8/9/08 Lost vs. Cen. Valley 55-68 on 8/3/08

LEADERS 2008 BATTLEWINGS 2008 TWISTERS PASSING Cooper: 264-411-16; 3418; 77 TDs Rowley: 379-557-8; 4393; 89 TDs

RECEIVING McCollister: 123-1466; 33 TDs Perry: 114-1370; 20 TDs

RUSHING Schule: 88-318; 19 TDs Rowley: 47-107; 9 TDs

TACKLES McBride: 74.5 Williams: 73

SACKS Byrdsong: 6 Hannah: 11.5

INTERCEPTIONS Geiggar: 7 Belton: 6

KICKING Calton: 69-103 PAT; 5-19 FG 84 PTs Paul: 98-122 PAT; 6-13 FG 116 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 57.3 PPG; 282.9 YPG 56.2 PPG; 296.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 51.1 PPG; 297.8 YPG 44 PPG; 252.4 YPG

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (0-0) AT CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (0-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - American Bank Center (7,498) 8:00 P.M. ET

It's a showdown in Texas this Saturday when the Corpus Christi Sharks host the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in both team's season opening games. The Dorados are hoping to rebound in 2009 from what they may have considered an off year in 2008. This year's Dorados team currently features only a handful of returnees from a year ago - QB Tiger Lyon, OL/DL Reggie Hargrove, OL Garrett Mason, FB/LB Alvertis Gatlin and WR/LB Travis McAlpine. One new addition who will make an instant impact is DB Dahnel Singfield. Singfield has spent three years in the af2. Last year the former af2 Defensive Player of the Year (2005 with Memphis) led the Manchester Wolves in tackles and pass breakups. On offense, the team looks very young at the skill positions. One rookie who is looking to resurrect his football career in the af2 is WR Ramonce Taylor. Taylor played collegiately for two years at the University of Texas. His best season came in 2005 when he compiled a team-high of 1,219 offensive yards and 15 touchdowns to help the Longhorns win the National Championship. Other rookie targets include Bret Smith and Rod Windsor. At the quarterback spot, Head Coach Marty Hammond brought in rookie QB Nick Hill to compete with Lyon for the starter's job under center. After a back-and-forth battle in camp, Hammond is scheduled to start Hill this week. Hill, who played college ball at Southern Illinois from 2004-2007, performed well in camp. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound former Saluki has an accurate arm as demonstrated by his 68.2 pass completion percentage as a collegian. On defense, tackle Walter Thomas is another rookie looking for a second chance with Rio Grande Valley. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound lineman began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State but after some trouble in Stillwater, transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2006. If he stays focused, he could be a real force up front for the Dorados. The Sharks and former AFL head coach turned af2 head coach Mike Trigg enter their third year in Corpus Christi. Trigg's team improved from 6-10 in 2007 to 7-9 last season. This year Trigg has been active in the offseason looking to upgrade a roster he hopes will provide enough talent to break the .500 barrier and propel the Sharks to the postseason. The team returns four key players from 2008 in WR Brandon Hussey, WR Jonathan Graham, DB Henry Hall and OL/DL Wilbert Martin. Hussey and Graham were Corpus Christi's top two receivers last season. On the defensive side, Hall ranked second on the squad in tackles and pass breakups while Martin led the club in tackles for loss, sacks, fumble recoveries and blocked kicks. The 2009 Sharks roster also includes a number of key additions. QB Gary Cooper, DBs Terick Thomas and Terrell Mingo and K Nick Gatto, the 2008 af2 Kicker of the Year, are among the group of notable newcomers. Cooper is a proven af2 signal caller who threw 77 TDs and rushed for three more in 13 games played to help Bossier-Shreveport win the Southwest crown in 2008. Thomas and Mingo should help offset the losses of Ivory McCann and Dwayne Ijames in the secondary. Gatto provides Trigg with another element he didn't have a year ago: stability in the kicking game. In 2008, the three-year veteran led all kickers in field goals with 17. Gatto also finished third in PAT percentage (90.6). The Sharks may have found a replacement for McCann in the secondary, but his presence will be sorely missed in the kick return game. Last season he earned All-af2 First Team honors after leading the league with eight total kick return TDs (4 MFG, 4 KO). He also ranked second in kick return average (25.1 ypr). Overall, however, the Sharks roster looks to be upgraded from a year ago. A slight edge in this one should go to the Sharks as they are playing at home sporting a veteran quarterback.

DORADOS SHARKS SERIES LEADER Rio Grande Valley leads 5-1

LAST MEETING Corpus Christi won 48-26 on 7/14/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3

LAST GAME Lost vs. Lubbock 53-72 on 7/26/08 Lost vs. Manchester 45-46 on 7/26/08

LEADERS 2008 DORADOS 2008 SHARKS PASSING Cole: 263-470-22; 3427; 62 TDs Johnson: 219-350-11; 2627; 47 TDs

RECEIVING Jackson: 98-1081; 22 TDs Hussey: 114-1415; 27 TDs

RUSHING Cole: 43-225; 27 TDs Jenkins: 29-145; 27 TDs

TACKLES Thomas: 89.5 McCann: 73.5

SACKS Scott: 7 Martin: 4.5

INTERCEPTIONS Thomas: 6 Ijames: 7

KICKING Hazelwood: 59-75 PAT; 7-20 FG 98 PTs Pohlman: 32-42 PAT; 6-10 FG 50 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 44.5 PPG; 274.1 YPG 48.1 PPG; 246.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 44.9 PPG; 234.1 YPG 47.8 PPG; 251.8 YPG

KENTUCKY HORSEMEN (0-0) AT TULSA TALONS (0-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - BOK Center (6,777) 8:00 P.M. ET

One of the league's oldest members hosts one of the league's newest on Saturday when the Tulsa Talons welcome the Kentucky Horsemen to the brand new BOK Center. The Horsemen ride into their second af2 campaign confident they can find even more success than they did a year ago. Kentucky's af2 team in 2008 proved many naysayers wrong when they entered the league and earned a postseason berth in just their first year of play. This year the Horsemen won't be able to sneak up on anyone. Moved from the Midwest to the South Division, Kentucky looks to be well equipped to tackle its new opposition. Key returnees that were a big part of last season's success are All-af2 kick return man and solid defensive back William Mulder, WRs Harris Lewis and John Cooper and LB Jamus Martin. Mulder averaged over 23 yards per kick return with three return TDs. He also led the squad in tackles (57.5) and passes defended (22). Lewis and Cooper combined for 110 catches, nearly 1,400 yards receiving and 31 TDs in 22 games. Martin registered 51 total tackles and a team-best 8.0 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Horsemen also had a fruitful offseason with the addition of studs like all-time league interceptions leader Matt Forbes (47 INTs), WR Lonnell DeWalt (96-1160-20 TDs) and perennial All-af2 FB/LB Demetrius Forney (208 rush yards, 15 rush TDs, 13 tackles, 2 sacks). All three players decided to join the stable in Lexington after spending last year with the Horsemen's bitter in-state rivals from Louisville. The Horsemen's on-field leader at quarterback will be either former Kentucky standout Jared Lorenzen or second-year player Justin Rascati. Lorenzen has NFL experience after a standout college career for the Wildcats while Rascati had a strong rookie season with Peoria in 2008 after leading James Madison to a Division I-AA title as a collegian. Both signal callers are quite different. Lorenzen is a big guy who likes to throw from the pocket while Rascati is somewhat smaller and is one of the best runners in the league. Last year Rascati had 300 rush yards and 10 rush TDs in addition to 37 TD passes. Kentucky showed last season it belongs in the af2. This year the Horsemen are out to prove that they belong in the conversation for potential division contenders. Last year Tulsa earned its ninth straight playoff berth and seventh division title. The Talons again look like a strong bet to earn another division title as they return a large number of notable members from last year's team. All-af2 WR/KR Jeff Hughley is back for his third season in the league. Hughley had another strong season in 2008, pacing the Talons in a host of offensive categories including receiving (123-1629-33 TDs) and returns (KR: 64-1298-1 TD, MFG: 8-212). Another familiar face back on offense for Tulsa is QB Justin Allgood. Allgood was in the midst of a phenomenal season in 2008 before an injury cut his season short. In 12 games, the Central Oklahoma alum threw for 2,938 yards with 64 TDs and 12 interceptions. He also accumulated seven rushing scores. Another offensive player to keep a close eye on is WR Jermaine Landrum. Landrum finished second to Hughley in receiving (73-680-13 TDs). On defense, the Talons have a lot to be thankful for. DL Terrance Carter leads the group up front. Carter registered a team-best 11 sacks in 2008. The linebacking corps looks especially strong with returnee Jamar Ransom (88 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 INTs, 4 FFs) joined by new addition Kamau Jackson from Austin (31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks with Wranglers). Both players earned All-af2 honors in 2008. The secondary is in good shape with veteran stoppers like Delenell Reid and Jermaine Hope leading the way. Carlos Campbell, Florida's top defensive back in 2008 (9 INTs, 14 pass breakups), also joins the group. If everyone plays to their potential, it's hard to argue that Tulsa won't make it 10 straight postseason appearances in 2009. Kentucky will put up a fight, but this contest will likely sway towards Tulsa in the end thanks to the Talons' new home field advantage.

HORSEMEN TALONS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 1-4

LAST GAME Lost vs Green Bay 37-65 on 8/1/08 Lost vs Amarillo 62-65 on 8/2/08

LEADERS 2008 HORSEMEN 2008 TALONS PASSING Eviston: 289-486-21; 3498; 75 TDs Allgood: 260-404-12; 2938; 64 TDs

RECEIVING McGee: 71-1000; 21 TDs Hughley: 123-1629; 33 TDs

RUSHING Eviston: 41-113; 6 TDs Landrum: 15-62; 5 TDs

TACKLES Mulder: 57.5 Ransom: 88

SACKS Martin: 8 Carter: 11

INTERCEPTIONS Mulder: 3 Reid: 7

KICKING Daniel: 82-98 PAT; 4-22 FG 94 PTs Phillips: 112-124 PAT; 9-23 FG 139 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 48.5 PPG; 252.3 YPG 57.9 PPG; 271.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 47.5 PPG; 262.6 YPG 44.7 PPG; 264.2 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (0-0) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-0)

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 - Selland Arena (5,487) 10:30 P.M. ET

The Lightning hope to strike fast and furious on Saturday when they host division rival Central Valley. Stockton hopes that Chad Carlson's first full season as an af2 head coach will spark the Lightning to their first winning season since the club came into the af2 in 2006. Carlson came on in midseason in 2008 to replace Doug Murray after Stockton's 2-7 start. He earned the job on a full-time basis in the offseason on the strength of the Lightning's 3-1 run to finish out the season. One of the first moves Carlson made upon his arrival in Stockton was to bring in Andy Collins at quarterback. Collins led the Lightning last year with 1,689 yards passing and 35 touchdowns in just seven games. He also rushed for 198 yards and nine TDs. Collins is back and is the favorite over rookie Chad Cavender to be the team's starting signal caller on Saturday night. Local high school standout Ruben Jackson returns at wide receiver after finishing third on the team last season with 384 yards receiving on 31 receptions, including nine for touchdowns. Another local product, WR Troy McBroom, is also back after catching 30 passes for 296 yards and eight touchdowns over the final four games of 2008. Another receiver that re-committed to the Lightning is Justin Taplin. Taplin turned into a Collins favorite down the stretch a year ago and finished as the team's leading pass catcher with 61 receptions for 795 yards and 15 scores in nine games. Other returning players include DB Ruschard Dodd-Masters and LBs Jason Hunt and Carl Walker. Dodd-Masters, despite only eight games played, led the Lightning in all-purpose yards in addition to recording 36 total tackles and 15 passes defended. Hunt has led the team in sacks for two straight seasons. Notable newcomers to the squad who should make a difference are led by former Boise DL Travis Tofi. Tofi led the Burn with 10 sacks in 2008. A rookie who may step in for Stockton and make an impact is David Sutton, a 6-foot-6 receiver who spent time in 2008 on the practice squad of the AFL's Utah Blaze. Overall, Carlson's club has depth and talent. Central Valley started their season off right last weekend when they defeated the Tri-Cities Fever 47-38 despite trailing at the half. QB Jason Murrietta and WR George Williams connected for 11 passes and 120 yards. Overall, Murrietta completed 23-of-28 passes for 225 yards and six TDs. It was a slow offensive game, with an uncharacteristically low score of 14-17 at the half, but the Coyotes offense and defense picked up in the second half. The front line pressure of Tyler Birkley, Donyell Booker, Robert Armstrong and Maquese Bacon resulted in Tri Cities only completing 50% of their passes on the evening. Birkley's pressure led to the only sack of the game. Veteran DB Charles Ealy, the Defensive Player of the Game, had a game-high 7.5 tackles. A slight edge may go to the Coyotes in this contest because they already have one win in the books.

LIGHTNING COYOTES SERIES LEADER Central Valley leads 8-2

LAST MEETING Stockton won 50-48 on 7/5/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1

LAST GAME Won vs. Tri-Cities 66-40 on 7/19/08 Lost vs. Spokane 63-83 on 8/9/08

LEADERS 2008 LIGHTNING 2009 COYOTES PASSING Elliot: 134-248-16; 1358; 19 TDs Murrietta: 23-28-0; 225; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Taplin: 61-795; 15 TDs Williams: 11-120; 3 TDs

RUSHING Collins: 38-198; 9 TDs Stinson: 1-5; 0 TDs

TACKLES Davis: 73.5 Ealy: 7.5

SACKS Hunt: 9 Birkley: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Davis: 8 None

KICKING Walls: 53-76 PAT; 5-12 FG 68 PTs Martinelli: 5-7 PAT; 0 FG 5 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 37.8 PPG; 226.2 YPG 47 PPG; 228 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 51.5 PPG; 250.5 YPG 38 PPG; 204 YPG



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