California Raiders @ Four-Time Champion SoCal Coyotes
(INDIO) – Respect.
The defending champion SoCal Coyotes (1-0) have plenty of it for the dangerous California Raiders (1-1), and are preparing for Saturday night’s standoff as if the Raiders are still the nation’s #1 ranked team.
This despite the fact the Raiders were defeated last Saturday 30-12 by the Inglewood Blackhawks, and have tumbled to #6 in a California poll released yesterday, where the Coyotes are still #1, and the Blackhawks are #2.
The Coyotes host the Raiders for the first time ever this Saturday at Indio’s Ed White Stadium at 7:30 p.m. It’s a game where the ‘back story’ gives fans of both teams plenty to chew on until kickoff.
In 2015, playing in separate leagues, both the Raiders and Coyotes finished as league champions, and various national polls had both teams ranked #1. The Raiders finished 13-0, the Coyotes 13-1.
Chicago-based National Football Events (NFE) offered a West Coast Championship to settle it, which the Coyotes accepted. The Raiders declined. Due to strength of schedule, the Coyotes finished as the Western Region’s top-ranked team, according to NFE, a governing organization that sanctions national polls and post-season competition for AAA professional football.
Now both teams play in the Southern California Football League, home to four of the nation’s top 10 teams.
THE COYOTES AND RAIDERS have played only once. On October 5, 2013, the Coyotes trailed the unbeaten Raiders 27-3, when rookie defensive back Shaine Boyle returned three picks for touchdowns in a stunning 36-33 upset on the road.
In the improbable comeback, kicker Dan Kelly connected on booming field goals of 37, 24 and 54 yards. Late in the fourth, a double-covered Rashad “The Franchise” Roberts hauled in an over-the-shoulder 78-yard touchdown from quarterback Nate Lewis on a ‘Go’ Route to decide the game. It was the biggest comeback in AAA history.
CONVEYOR BELT OF CHARACTER - The four-time champion SoCal Coyotes non-profit sports leadership organization is a conveyor belt of character, competence, and connection, delivering life-changing leadership skills to more than 30,000 Coachella Valley youth each year through an array of programs, camps, clinics and expos.
PUNT, PASS AND KICK -The Coyotes will host the annual Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club Punt, Pass & Kick on Saturday, September 17.
SEVENTY PLAYERS EACH YEAR earn the distinction of ‘Defending the Shield’ in the uniform of the SoCal Coyotes. Many will earn a shot with NFL, CFL or AFL opportunities, or graduate into business careers.
FAITH, FAMILY, FOOTBALL is the real mission of the Coyotes – and not surprisingly, something that dates back to the great Vince Lombardi in 1959. More than game tape. More than a weight room. More than a 40 time. The Coyote mission reaches far beyond the actual gridiron, deep into the development of young athletes as fathers, husbands, and men.
DISCOVER how The Pro Football Educator, operated by former Denver Broncos GM and two-time Super Bowl winner Ted Sundquist, selected the SoCal Coyotes as America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program.
Visit www.thesocalcoyotes.com.
For more information, email ron@thesocalcoyotes.com.