Three Players to Join Roughnecks for 2009
Published on November 20, 2008 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX. : The Odessa Roughnecks announced on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 from Harrigans Bar & Grill in Odessa that players; Anthony Sapa, Leroy Sapa, and Alton Smith will join the Odessa Roughnecks for the 2009 season. Anthony Sapa and Alton Smith return to the organization after playing key roles during the Roughnecks 2008 season, as newcomer Leroy Sapa will add depth to the offensive line.
Anthony Sapa (OL / DL) 6'6", 395 lbs. Texas Southern University -
Anthony is a two-year veteran of the Odessa Roughnecks. He was a member of the '06 championship team, and he returned in 2008 to help carry the Roughnecks to their playoff run. Anthony is a popular player with fans and teammates alike, and he will be expected to be a playmaker in 2009. "Anthony has too much natural ability to be playing at this level. We are going to push and challenge him to be the best player at his position (Nose Guard) in the league this season. He has that kind of natural ability. We are not going to allow him to play below his skill level. He needs to be dominant. If he works hard and pushes himself, it won't be long before he is playing at the next level. I won't accept anything less from him this year." stated Odessa Roughnecks Head Coach Chris Williams.
Leroy Sapa (OL) 6'3", 325 lbs. Riverside (CA) Community College -
Leroy will be joining the Roughnecks for the first time in 2009. He has two seasons of junior college experience at Riverside College. Leroy is the brother of Anthony Sapa. "Leroy is interesting obviously because he is Anthony's brother. I like his size. I also like his desire and love for the game. Anytime you can sign a guy with that kind of size and athletic ability, you have to do it. He comes from good athletic bloodlines and I think he will work hard to make a name for himself as his own guy. People will not be calling him Sapa's brother for long." stated Roughnecks Head Coach Chris Williams.
Alton Smith (QB / WR / LB) 6'4" , 215 lbs. Concordia (CA) College -
Alton joined the Roughnecks in 2008. He is truly a gifted natural athlete. He played Wide Receiver, Quarterback, and Jack Linebacker for the Roughnecks last season. He has past Arena Football experience with the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL and the Green Bay Blizzard of the AF2. "Alton is a player that needs to be a full-time guy for us. I need to figure out a way to get him on the field all the time. He is so gifted as an athlete that he makes it tough on me as a coach to settle in on one position for him. I am thinking right now that with Sam Griffin going over to offense full-time, that Alton will be the guy that takes over at the Jack Linebacker position for us next season. Even with the new rules of the IFL, I am still going to use a Jack Backer. It will be a perfect fit for him right now because we can move him around more and drop him back into coverage. With his athletic ability, he will be able to make a lot of plays." stated Roughnecks Head Coach Chris Williams.
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