Groefsema’s heroics can’t quite land upset win for Coyotes

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Lemoore High graduate Clay Groefsema completed 77 percent of his passes, five of them for touchdowns, but the Central Valley Coyotes couldn't quite knock off the first-place Spokane Shock. Brian Jackson's 34-yard field goal with no time left on the clock gave Spokane a 56-54 victory in an afl2 game Saturday night.

Groefsema was 21-for-27 passing for 287 yards with one interception. His 10-yard TD pass to Jason Barnes, followed by his 2-point conversion toss to Barnes, gave the Fresno-based Coyotes a 54-53 lead with 16 seconds remaining.

But the Shock moved 23 yards in three plays to set up Jackson's field goals.

Groefsema also ran for two touchdowns for Central Valley, which lost for the first time in four games that he started this season.

Barnes had 12 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns for the Coyotes (7-4).

Spokane quarterback Nick Davila was 34-for-50 passing for 367 yards with six touchdowns and one intereption. He also ran for two TDs.

Raul Vigil caught four TD passes for the Shock, who lead the National Conference West Division with an 11-1 record.

Second-place Central Valley will play at home vs. the Stockton Lightning on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Selland Arena.

(June 30, 2008)