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Achieving New Heights: AFL West Training Camp Notebook

April 26, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1) News Release


Camp is finally wrapping up. Final preseason games will be this week and the league will be gearing up for the start of the regular season. We caught up with some of the AFL West players and coaches about how camp has gone.

Billings Outlaws

Cedric Walker is one of the best coaches in the league. He is a no nonsense coach and thus camp has also been no nonsense. Billings has been tight lipped on how camp looks. When a coach keeps it close to the chest, you know they are focused on the task. Billings has one goal in mind, a title.

Aulden Knight

"The team looks good, explosive players all around. We have a good core with quarterbacks and big men. Coaching is good, they coach pretty hard because they are expecting the best out of players but they also keep it fun too. Camp has most definitely been a journey for all of us. There are some obstacles on the team but we found a way to come together. It should be a really good season for us."

Rapid City Marshals

When you look at teams across the league, Rapid City is well functioning top to bottom. From the jump they have been prepared for this moment to take on the AFL. Shon King is a hard-nosed coach who has built his team on strong leaders. He wants great players but he also wants great individuals. Led by Brian Villanueva, a long-time arena play-caller who tore up the preseason, the Marshals have a savvy vet behind center.

Camp has been a sweat. There have been no corners cut top to bottom. Players like Ezekiel Noa and Mason Lee on media day spoke about how every detail is being focused on.

Mason Lee

"Camp has gone good, coach King brought in a lot of guys that have the same vision as him. We've been working hard to get to where we need to be. We know it won't happen overnight so it's key for us to bring the intensity and attention to detail to practice everyday. Camp is always pretty tough but it helps the guys learn to have eachothers back and we know that will help us in the long run in those close games."

Shon King

"It's been going good. A lot of learning. A lot of teaching. Looking forward to this exhibition game this weekend to see where we stand and get our roster set for the first regular season game against Iowa."

Oregon Blackbears

Oregon will be one of the top teams from the jump. Buoyed by a strong coach and elite quarterback play. Cedric Walker is a hard nose coach who knows how to keep his players involved. While the quarterback is led by not one but two excellent playcallers. Connor Kaegi a heavily overlooked gunslinger from Oregon and Vincent Espinoza who has been playing indoor football for multiple years. Both have the ability to lead this team to a title.

Connor Kaegi talking about how camp and preseason went, "Camp went well. WE played the exhibition game last night and won. It was nice to get out there and play against somebody else. We're excited to get started with game week on Monday."

Chuck Jones

"It's (camp) going great. The Blackbears will be a problem for the league this year. We have tremendous talent at all positions. We don't even know who we are going to cut for the final roster. A Lot of the players are working hard. It is fun to watch."

Washington Wolfpack

The Wolfpack have built a roster on local talent. JR Wells has a lot ahead of him. From rebuilding the reputation of the arena football name in Seattle to constructing a first year roster, Wells knows he is the guy for the job. JR knows he has to form a "family" internally. He wants guys to be involved with the team and community. Of all the coaches that spoke on media day, building the fan experience and connecting to the community was critical. One of the deeper teams in the league from top to bottom, the Wolfpack know health is key this season. Jacob Ta'ase out of Central Washington University and born in Seattle will be calling the shots to start the year.

Coach JR Wells

"Injuries are tough, we already lost a player to an achilles. So depth is going to matter this year. You'll see it."

DeShon Williams

"Camp is going great. The team is really coming together. I think we are looking good into our preseason game this weekend against Oregon."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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