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{{Refimprove|date=August 2007}}
{{references|date=May 2009}}
{{Afl2 team
{{Afl2 team
|name =Stockton Lightning
|name =Stockton Lightning
|logo =StocktonLightning.png
|logo =
|conference =National
|conference =National
|division =West
|division =West
|founded =2006
|founded ={{af2 Year|2006}}
|arena =[[Stockton Arena]]
|arena =[[Stockton Arena]]
|location =Stockton, California
|location =Stockton, California
|head_coach =Chad Carlson
|coach =Chad Carlson
|championships =none
|championships =None
|owner =Michael Reinsdorf
|owner =Michael Reinsdorf
}}
}}
The '''Stockton Lightning''' are a professional [[arena football]] team. They are a 2006 expansion member of the [[af2]], the [[minor league]] of the [[Arena Football League]]. They play their home games at [[Stockton Arena]] in [[Stockton, California]] and are coached by Chad Carlson.
The '''Stockton Lightning''' are a professional [[arena football]] team. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the [[af2|arenafootball2]] (af2).
The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an [[expansion team]]. They play their home games at [[Stockton Arena]] in [[Stockton, California]] and are coached by Chad Carlson.


The Stockton Lightning's principal owner is Michael Reinsdorf.
==Season-By-Season record==

==History==
The Lightning were formed 2005 and joined af2 in 2006, lead by President Dan Chapman and Operator Michael Reinsdorf. The team name was announced at a November 2005 press conference at Valley Brew Restaurant, after a "Name The Team" contest and revealing of the team's black, red, gray and white colors. Richard Davis was also announced as the first head coach in franchise history.

The first-year team featured players that were local to the area, they included; James Newson, Josh Wallwork, Kenyatte Morgan and Lyndell Hawkins. Morgan was the player who recorded the first touchdown in franchise history, a seven-yard pass from [[Quarterback]] Josh Blankenship, in a 41-40 loss to the eventul [[ArenaCup]] winners, the [[Spokane Shock]]. However, two weeks later, the Lightning recorded the first win in franchise history, when they beat the [[Quad City Steamwheelers]] 60-46.

The Lightning finished 5-11 in their first season, falling just short of playoffs. After the season they hired new head coach [[Doug Murray]], who was introduced to the media at a September 2006 press conference by his friend and rival head coach Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. who wore a Lightning hat.

The {{af2 Year|2007}} season started the way 2006 had, with a loss on the road in Spokane. But, things turned around mid-season as they began to win games, a total of six. However, the season ended with losses in the last four games, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

The Lightning didn't improve in {{af2 Year|2008}} as they had hoped and finished 5-11. Once again, missing the playoffs.

==Statistics==
===Season-by-season records===
{{Start NFL SBS}}
{{Start NFL SBS}}
|-
|-
Line 31: Line 46:
<nowiki>*</nowiki> = Current Standing
<nowiki>*</nowiki> = Current Standing


==History==
==Players of note==
The year of 2006 might be the one year that leveled the landscape of Stockton sports, forever.
<br /><br />
Previously known as an agricultural community, the city by the Delta had just finished its first season with the Stockton Thunder, while the local minor league baseball's Stockton Ports finished its second year at neighboring Banner Island Ballpark and the California Cougars ended their first year as the city's indoor soccer attraction.
<br /><br />
Enter the fourth piece to the puzzle: the Stockton Lightning.
<br /><br />
Headed by President Dan Chapman and Operator Michael Reinsdorf, the Lightning brought a new sports identity for fans to attach themselves to in 2006. The arenafootball2 league filled Stockton Arena for eight dates in 2006, introducing pigskin-starved fans to the revamped game that featured crazed rebounds off end-zone nets, hard-working two-way players, up-close action the first row, smaller fields and ultimately, higher scores.
<br /><br />
The Lightning unveiled their name at a November 2005 press conference at Valley Brew Restaurant after a "Name The Team" contest and revealing of the team's black, red, gray and white color scheme, which brought out a throng of media, Stockton locals and fans to soak in the historic moment.
<br /><br />
Local California products James Newson, Josh Wallwork, Kenyatte Morgan and Lyndell Hawkins hooked onto the Lightning for year one, providing fans with interesting football locals which they could call their own. The building of a team however, had its twists and turns reminiscent of a roller coaster. After the hiring of head coach Richard Davis, who served as the inaugural coach in Lightning history, the San Joaquin's first professional indoor football team had to battle through turbulent winter conditions which resulted in many nixed practice sessions.
<br /><br />
Yet, the show went on. The Lightning nearly pulled out a thrilling come-from-behind victory in a 41-40 loss to the eventual ArenaCup champion Spokane Shock on March 30 at Spokane Arena. Morgan hauled in the first touchdown in Lightning history for the game's first score on a seven-yard dish from quarterback Josh Blankenship.
<br /><br />
Two weeks later, the Lightning hit the record books again with their first win in franchise history, sinking the af2 powerhouse Quad City Steamwheelers in a 60-46 road victory. At the forefront was Blankenship, who threw for 216 passing yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions for the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors.
<br /><br />
Lightning fans would finally get their dose of the high-energy wall-to-wall action in the next week. The sellout crowd of 9,919 was treated to the game's first score with 11:32 left in the first quarter, after Bakersfield scored the first touchdown in Stockton Arena history. Local Lincoln High product George Williams proceeded to run back a 56-yard kickoff return, sending the crowd into a deafening roar and providing athletic proof that a resounding score in arena football can happen any time.
<br /><br />
Despite the Lightning loss in the home opener, a raucous crowd of over 6,100 returned the next week to witness history again, as the Lightning cruised to a 50-40 victory over the Everett Hawks to secure the first home win in franchise history.
<br /><br />
On the game's first play from scrimmage, newcomer Atnas Maeko sent a jolt of electricity through the crowd by hauling in a 40-yard bomb, part of his dazzling five-catch, 139-receiving yards effort.
<br /><br />
The one game that may stand the test of time in Lightning history occurred on June 10, as the Lightning knocked off the Green Bay Blizzard 68-62 at The Resch Center, just a mere stroll across the street from the hallowed grounds of world-famous Lambeau Field. "Titletown," as it is referred to by enthusiastic Packers fans, took an electric twist with Clyde Surrell's miracle on-side kick recovery now known as the "Touchdown In Titletown."
<br /><br />
After the Lightning tied the score on Phil Goodman's touchdown catch in overtime, all Stockton needed was a point-after conversion to seal victory. Yet, Marc Hickok's boot was blocked and ran back to the four yard line, with Tupo Tuupo making a game-saving tackle on Ryan Bell.
<br /><br />
Green Bay, who had been red-hot all night scoring wise, looked to be in the driver's seat as Marc Hickok lined up for the ensuing kickoff. Yet, a smaller field yields different possibilities compared to the conventional outdoor game - even for onside kicks. Hickok tried it, and got the fortuitous bounce the Lightning were seeking, which was nabbed by Surrell at the six-yard line.
<br /><br />
Surrell sprinted through a maze of Blizzard and into the end zone for the miracle score, sending the Lightning piling onto the field with victory in their grasp for good.
<br /><br />
As the Lightning fell shy of the ArenaCup playoffs and changed direction with its on-field leadership in the hiring of current head coach Doug Murray (pictured, far right), Stockton built on 2006 by introducing curious Stocktonians to the fast-paced, thrilling action that is unleashed each weekend at an Arena Football game. The Lightning ranked third in the entire league with an average of 7,445 fans per game.
<br /><br />
Even a fan for a day was born, when good friend and rival head coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr. helped introduce Murray to the media at a September 2006 press conference by donning a Lightning hat.
<br /><br />
Enter the year of 2007, as the Lightning looked to build on their stepping-stone with a revamped roster, established fan-base, and the possibility to send a jolt through the arenafootball2 league like opponents have never experienced. Before it began, the crew of ESPN gave the Lightning exposure like almost no other
<br /><br />
The Lightning started out just the way 2006 began - a loss on the road at Spokane. But a new kicker, signed in the offseason, gave the Lightning a jolt of electricity in the home opener against the Central Valley Coyotes that would prove to strike again during the middle of the season, in the form of game-winning field goals.
<br /><br />
Alex Walls, one of the league's most renowned kickers in af2 history, drilled a game-winning, 39-yard field goal at the buzzer to lift the Lightning to a 50-47 win in week 2. The first win in his career for Head Coach Doug Murray had the Lightning bench boss greeted with a line of hugs while Walls was carried off on his teammates' shoulders.
<br /><br />
More dramatics in the season involved Walls, when the Lightning avenged a 2006 road loss to the Everett Hawks, when the Lightning kicker connected again from 39-yards to sink the Hawks in a 55-54 come-from-behind win at the buzzer on May 14.
<br /><br />
That set off a Lightning streak that produced five wins in their next seven games, garnering their first serious sniff of playoff contention in the franchise's young history. Included in the mid-summer run was a 82-24 thrashing of the Bakersfield Blitz on June 23, setting multiple team scoring records which included most points in one game and largest margin of victory.
<br /><br />
However, the Lightning season ended abruptly with four losses in the last four games, missing the ArenaCup Playoffs for the second straight year. However, the Lightning produced a one-win improvement in 2006, and with a continuous number of football-rabid fans filing into Stockton Arena, it helped land one of the biggest free agent offseason signing during the 2007-08 af2 offseason.
<br /><br />
Chad Elliott, who ranked in the top-5 for multiple passing categories on the af2's all-time list, was added to the mix while linebackers Carl Walker, kicker Alex Walls and 2006 all-af2 receiver Atnas Maeko returned for their second season in a Lightning uniform.
<br /><br />
Now, with 2008 setting its foot on the ground, the Lightning look to strike it with their first playoff berth in franchise history. Head Coach Doug Murray has returned with a new vision, reloaded lineup, and a reborn chance at giving the Stockton fans a dose of summer football love.
<br /><br />
After all, the rallying cry for 2008 is "For the Love of Football," making the potentials of the upcoming season, for the lack of a better term, "loveable."
<br /><br />
* From the Official Website!

==Season 2009==
'''Regular Season'''
<br />
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Date
! Game
! Score
! Attendance
|-
| Sat, March 28
| @ Central Valley Coyotes
| W 68-54
| 0
|-
| Fri, April 3
| @ Spokane Shock
| L 42-59
| 0
|-
| Sat, April 18
| Central Valley Coyotes
| L 58-65
| 4,134
|-
| Sat, April 25
| Spokane Shock
| L 50-71
| 3,543
|-
| Sat, May 2
| @ Boise Burn
| 9:10 pm
|
|-
| Sat, May 9
| @ Tri-Cities Fever
| 10:05 pm
|
|-
| Sat, May 16
| Rio Grande Valley Dorados
| 10:00 pm
|
|-
| Sat, May 23
| Boise Burn
| 10:00 pm
|
|-
| Sat, May 30
| @ Central Valley Coyotes
| 10:05 pm
|
|-
| Sat, June 6
| Tri-Cities Fever
| 10:00 pm
|
|-
| Fri, June 12
| Spokane Shock
| 10:05 pm
|
|-
| Sat, June 20
| @ Boise Burn
| 9:10 pm
|
|-
| Sat, June 27
| @ Tri-Cities Fever
| 10:05 pm
|
|-
| Sat, July 11
| Central Valley Coyotes
| 10:00 pm
|
|-
| Sat, July 18
| @ Amarillo Dusters
| 08:00 pm
|
|-
| Fri, July 24
| Peoria Pirates
| 10:10 pm
|
|-
|}


==Notable Players==
* Peter Tuialuuluu - FB/OL
* Tupo Tuupo - LB/FB
* David Lose - OL/DL
* Jason Hunt - FB/LB
* [[Chris Stallworth]] - WR
* Mataese Togafau - OL/DL
* Andy Collins - QB
* [[Manuel Wright]] - DL
* [[Manuel Wright]] - DL


Revision as of 18:06, 12 May 2009

Template:Afl2 team The Stockton Lightning are a professional arena football team. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the arenafootball2 (af2). The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team. They play their home games at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California and are coached by Chad Carlson.

The Stockton Lightning's principal owner is Michael Reinsdorf.

History

The Lightning were formed 2005 and joined af2 in 2006, lead by President Dan Chapman and Operator Michael Reinsdorf. The team name was announced at a November 2005 press conference at Valley Brew Restaurant, after a "Name The Team" contest and revealing of the team's black, red, gray and white colors. Richard Davis was also announced as the first head coach in franchise history.

The first-year team featured players that were local to the area, they included; James Newson, Josh Wallwork, Kenyatte Morgan and Lyndell Hawkins. Morgan was the player who recorded the first touchdown in franchise history, a seven-yard pass from Quarterback Josh Blankenship, in a 41-40 loss to the eventul ArenaCup winners, the Spokane Shock. However, two weeks later, the Lightning recorded the first win in franchise history, when they beat the Quad City Steamwheelers 60-46.

The Lightning finished 5-11 in their first season, falling just short of playoffs. After the season they hired new head coach Doug Murray, who was introduced to the media at a September 2006 press conference by his friend and rival head coach Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. who wore a Lightning hat.

The 2007 season started the way 2006 had, with a loss on the road in Spokane. But, things turned around mid-season as they began to win games, a total of six. However, the season ended with losses in the last four games, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

The Lightning didn't improve in 2008 as they had hoped and finished 5-11. Once again, missing the playoffs.

Statistics

Season-by-season records

Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
2006 5 11 0 4th NC West --
2007 6 10 0 5th AC West --
2008 5 11 0 4th NC West --
*2009 1 2 0 4th NC West
Totals 17 34 0

* = Current Standing

Players of note

External links

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