LA's Jones Named SIFL Lineman Of The Year; SIFL Names Fans Of The Year
July 22, 2009 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) News Release
LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 22, 2009) - John Paul Jones of the Louisiana Swashbucklers has been named the Southern Indoor Football League's lineman of the year, it was announced today.
Voting was conducted among SIFL coaches, team front offices, league staff and a composite fan vote. Teams were not allowed to vote for their own players. Jones received 12 out of possible 13 votes and was also voted by fans as the SIFL's defensive lineman of the year, outdistancing Austin's Kevin Earvine and Acadiana's Lanier Coleman.
Jones officially recorded 14 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in nine games (stats from two games are currently being reviewed) as he helped the Swashbucklers post a 11-1 record and a berth in Monday's SIFL championship game against the Austin Turfcats (10-2). He also forced five fumbles and recovered a safety.
Jones is a McNeese State product.
SIFL NAMES FANS OF THE YEAR
LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 22, 2009) - Appreciative of all the efforts and supports of each and every fan during its inaugural season, the Southern Indoor Football League today recognized an Austin Turfcat support and a group of ardent boosters from Houma, La., as its 2009 ``Fans Of The Year.''
Steve Litiker, a long-time arena/indoor football supporter and Turfcat season ticket holder and The Knights of the Crawfish Table - the Houma Conquerors' fan club - are the recipients of the award.
The Knights had representation at all six Conqueror road games this season and provided on of the sport's best tailgate atmospheres (and food). They've also pitched in with gameday operations at home.
``The fans of Houma are absolutely awesome and are some of the best I've seen anywhere in any market with any team," said SIFL President Thom Hager said. "I want the city of Houma to know how much we appreciate everything these fans have done, especially in the first year of operations. I'm excited about returning to Houma next season.''
Litiker also provided assistance to the Turfcats with their gameday operations and has been one of the league's strongest advocates on internet message boards to the point many users thought he was a member of the league staff or an alter ego of a league staff member.
``A start-up league like ours needs knowledgeable and passionate fans such as Steve,'' said SIFL Director of Communications Dan Ryan. ``He's been an excellent unofficial voice of the SIFL and has helped us tremendously. I'm looking forward to finally meeting him in person not to just to put a face and handshake to a user ID, but to show to the world that we are indeed two different people.''
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 22, 2009
- LA's Jones Named SIFL Lineman Of The Year; SIFL Names Fans Of The Year - SIFL
- The Heart of a Turfcat - Austin Turfcats
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