af2 Star McCombs Joins Dorados
January 26, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
HIDALGO, TX: January 26, 2005 â The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 are excited to announce they have been assigned defensive end and fullback/linebacker Ben McCombs by the af2 for the 2005 season.
"Ben is a high energy guy," said Dorados Head Coach Kevin Guy. "He will certainly place pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and help with our pass rush. Position wise, he has history as a fullback and linebacker, but we will move him around and might primarily use him as a defensive end."
McCombs, who was born in Bakersfield, California but grew up in Santa Barbara, joins the Dorados after playing in his first af2 season last year as a member of the Bakersfield Blitz. He finished the season ranked tied for second in the af2 in tackles for a loss with 10.5 (led team), fourth on the Blitz squad in tackles with 40.5 (33 solo) and third in sacks with 5.5 (tied for 16th in the af2). The 24 year-old also recorded the Blitz only blocked kick. On the offensive side of the ball, McCombs ranked as the second top rusher for the Blitz with 66 yards and 8 touchdowns off of 24 carries.
The 6'4" 245-pounder began his pro career in 2002 in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) with the Knoxville based Tennessee ThunderCats. McCombs played two season in Knoxville and led the ThunderCats and then the renamed RiverHawks (2003) in sacks in each of the seasons. Prior to turning pro, McCombs played collegially at Santa Barbara Community College (1998,1999) and at MidAmerica Nazarene University (2000,2001) in Olathe, Kansas. McCombs was All-Conference and an MVP at SBCC in 1999 before transferring to MANU where he combined for 143 tackles (40 for a loss) and 18 sacks in 21 games over two seasons. He earned All-American honors in 2000 and 2001 at MidAmerica and was a First Team National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and Heart of America Conference (HAAC) award winner in 2001. McCombs was also named the NCCAA Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2001. He graduated from Santa Barbara's San Marcos High School, where he was an All-Conference and County All-Star member and a standout baseball player.
McCombs marks the 11th Dorados members announced to the 2005 roster, joining Brian Baker (QB), John Bradley (OL/DL), Sterling Finney (WR/DB),Will Goodloe (OL/DL), Josh Kellett (QB), Joseph Lemberg (OS), Moses Lewis (TBD), Travis McAlpine (WR/DB), David Morrill (FB/LB) and Josh Tubbs (OL/DL).
In other Dorados news, former Dorados Preston Hartfield (New Orleans) and Chris McIver (New York) were released from their Arena Football League training camps. Eddie Moten made it through training camp and is on the roster for the Philadelphia Soul, who open the regular season on Sunday at Austin. The game will be televised at 11 AM on KVEO Ch. 23 (Ch. 8 - Time Warner Cable). Also, the Lacks Dorados Dance Team will be conducting tryouts, which are open to the media, Thursday night at 8PM at Kelly's Center Stage in McAllen. Media members seeking an interview with Finney or Coach Guy are encouraged to contact Chris Due with the Dorados at 956-227-4940.
The Dorados kick-off their 2005 campaign April 9th at the Dodge Arena, as they host the Louisville Fire. Season ticket packages and advertising opportunities are available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825. Additional info can also be found by visiting the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.
arenafootball2 Stories from January 26, 2005
- Riptide dance team tryout Saturday - San Diego Riptide
- Riptide Assigned Two More - San Diego Riptide
- af2 Star McCombs Joins Dorados - Rio Grande Valley Dorados
- Coyotes promote community program - Central Valley Coyotes
- Xplorers Training Camp to Take Place at Pyramid Arena - Memphis Xplorers
- The Fire Wire - Louisville Fire
- Xplorers to Hold Open Tryout on February 5th - Memphis Xplorers
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