THOUSAND-YARD RUSHER ‘LIL’ TRAIN’ WARREN MATTHEWS AND COYOTES BLANKET AREA SCHOOLS WITH PLAYOFF TICKETS

(SHADOW HILLS) – “Kidnap him the night before the game.”

That’s the joking advice SoCal Coyotes head coach J David Miller gave to the RAM Sports Network this week when asked ‘if – and how’ the three-time champions ‘Darkside Defense’ would stop their own thousand-yard running back, Warren ‘Lil’ Train’ Matthews Jr.

Now hundreds of screaming students will get a chance to see what 1,002 yards looks like up close and personal. The chiseled 5-9, 205-pound Matthews will appear with a pack of his Coyote teammates Thursday at an 11 a.m. playoff pep rally at Nellie C. Coffman Middle School, where America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Team will give away tickets – courtesy of General Air Conditioning & Plumbing and Jules Market of LaQuinta.

The Coyotes, riding a franchise-record 11-game winning streak, host the San Diego Nighthawks Saturday night at Shadow Hills at 7 p.m. (for your free tickets, see ‘Events’ on this page).

“I can’t wait to love up these kids,” said Matthews. “No matter how many honors, awards, or achievements may be placed in your hands, all of us are called to humbly follow the path to deliver a message of help and hope, love and forgiveness, throughout our communities in which we all started from.

“Whether it’s the Coachella Valley, or Washington, D.C., where I’m from, this is what we live for – giving back what we’ve been blessed with, or die trying,” Matthews added.

Two of the biggest reasons for Matthews’ success will join him on stage at Nellie Coffman Thursday. Texas A&M-Commerce offensive guard Ray Argueta, 6-4, 400 pounds, and Chaffey College center Victor Gil, 6-3, 340, also will be on hand for the festivities. Star safety Anthony Spencer, corner John Paiz and tackle Armando Limon will also be among the players, who will sign autographs.

Throughout Thursday and Friday, the Coyotes will give away playoff tickets at area businesses and schools throughout the Coachella Valley. If you want tickets, a visit from the Coyotes, or more information, contact Ron DiGrandi, Community Outreach Director, at 760.285.7073, or email [email protected].

GET ON THE TRAIN – Matthews set the Coyotes single-season record by rushing 74 times this fall for 1,002 yards and 13 touchdowns, for a whopping 13 yards a carry – but he’s no stranger to such success. A year ago, in the Indoor Football League, he was Rookie of the Year. At Southwest Minnesota State, the exercise science major led his team in rushing all three years as a starter, and set career school records for kickoff returns and yards per carry.

The son of Victoria Robinson, and Warren Sr. and Tammy Matthews, has been an honor-roll student since Richfield High School, where he was an All-Conference running back and kick returner, racking up 5,381 yards, second-highest in school history.

EACH YEAR, THE SOCAL COYOTES are ‘boots on the ground’ throughout the desert’s communities, shaping the lives of thousands of kids and teens from all walks of life by introducing them to core principles and values such as integrity, respect and perseverance.

Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, the Desert Strength Academy, the Boys & Girl Scouts of America, Rotary International and dozens of middle schools are among those who benefit each year from the efforts of the staff and players of the SoCal Coyotes, who partner with communities to develop leadership and effect change to improve the lives of our valley’s youth.

The SoCal Coyotes support programs that aid the youth and families of the region, and assist programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Coyotes take special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character.

To discover more, visit www.facebook.com/thesocalcoyotes.com.

-Brandon O’Neill, VP Program Development