Week 15: Saturday Night Matchup

SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2008 - Selland Arena (5,487) 10:00 P.M. ET

Week 15 concludes on Saturday night with an intrastate rivalry as the Stockton Lightning travel to Fresno, Calif. to tackle Central Valley. This will be the fourth matchup of the season between these two clubs. In the first three matchups the Coyotes have looked impressive, winning by an average of 23.3 points per contest. In their last meeting in Stockton, Central Valley won 51-29. The Coyotes defense played a big part in the victory by pressuring QB ANDY COLLINS into two interceptions and sacking him four times. Stockton, a team that had lost four straight, earned a 47-41 upset win in overtime at then No. 7 Tennessee Valley. Collins had a stellar performance with seven TD passes spread amongst three different receivers. Rookie WR/DB TROY MCBROOM had a stellar debut with 10 catches, four for touchdowns, for 110 yards receiving. The Lightning defense also stepped up big. DB RUSCHARD DODD-MASTERS had two interceptions to lead the group individually. WR JUSTIN TAPLIN has been the team's top receiver since his arrival seven weeks ago. In six games, the former AFL player has 40 grabs for 558 yards and is tied for the team lead with 10 TDs. LB JAJUAN HUDDLESTON has been the Lightning's spark on defense with a team-best 52.5 tackles and four fumble recoveries. He is also tied with LB JASON HUNT for the team lead in sacks with six. The Coyotes, currently ranked No. 11 in the latest league coaches poll, are coming off a tough, 56-54, loss at No. 2-ranked Spokane. The Coyotes are also currently placed in the No. 6 position in the playoff standings and are looking toward securing their third straight playoff berth. That's what makes this week's game so important to Central Valley. Second-year QB CLAY GROEFSEMA has started the past four games and had his best individual performance against the Shock. He completed 21-of-27 passes against Spokane with five passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. Groefsema has a lot of weapons at his disposal, specifically receivers like JASON BARNES, TONAE MARTIN, NICHIREN FLOWERS and JOMO WILSON. Flowers leads the group in catches and yards while Martin leads in touchdowns. Wilson is also a big time threat on kick returns. He has three kickoff return TDs in 2008 and paces the Coyotes with 1,810 all-purpose yards. On the defensive side, veteran LB WES BORBA will look to continue to make plays on the defensive side for the Coyotes. Borba leads the team in tackles (50), interceptions (6) and fumble recoveries (3). The defensive line has two strong pass rushers in DONYELL BOOKER (9 TFLs, 7 sacks) and BEN MCCOMBS (8 TFLs, 7 sacks). In nine overall head-to-head meetings, Central Valley is 8-1 against the Lightning. Stockton will need another stellar effort from Collins and company to keep up with the quick-strike Coyotes.

Week 15: Saturday Night Matchup

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