The No. 6 seed Bakersfield Blitz (10-7) upset the No. 3 seed Central Valley Coyotes, 42-37, Friday night in a National Conference first round playoff game at Selland Arena in Fresno, Calif. The Blitz outscored the Coyotes 42-24 over the final three quarters of play after falling behind early, 13-0.

 

Bakersfield was led by QB Bobby Pesavento, who spearheaded the Blitz turnaround. Pesavento threw three touchdown passes after coming on to replace starter Alex Neist, who struggled early. He also completed 17-of-27 pass attempts and one rushing score to earn Schutt Offensive Player of the Game. Pesavento’s main targets were OS Rennard Reynolds (1 TD) and WR/LB Eric Mahanke (1 TD). WR/DB DeRonn Finley also played a big part in the big win, catching a touchdown and scoring on a 58-yard kick return. Finley earned the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game for his impressive two-way play. FB/LB Nick Onaindia contributed a 16-yard touchdown run. 

 

Defensively, Bakersfield’s Jerry Turner got after Central Valley’s record-setting signal caller Scott Rislov all night, finishing with a game-high three sacks. FB/LB Ben McCombs also tallied a sack for the Blitz.

 

Rislov, who threw for an Arena Football (AFL & af2) record 106 touchdown passes in the regular season, had just four touchdowns on the night and one interception. The Coyotes concluded their season at 12-5 overall.    

 

With the win, Bakersfield advances to play the top-seeded Spokane Shock next week in Spokane. 

 

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: DeRonn Finley (BAK)

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Bobby Pesavento (BAK)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Jerry Turner (BAK)

Cutters Catch of the Game: LaMonte Jones (CVC)