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April 15, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release


Scotty Stewart's decision to become an Evansville Bluecat this season was an easy one. Stewart was in Evansville last year when the Tennessee Riverhawks played the Bluecats and talked to current Bluecats General Manager Joy York. The conversation went so well that Stewart was pretty sure he would play in Evansville this year. Then the Bluecats named Ollie Guidry Head Coach and that sealed the deal. Stewart, in his 4th year of NIFL football, after playing 3 years in Tennessee, is the starting Free Safety for this year's Bluecats. Stewart said that he has been treated like every player wants to be treated by York and Bluecats co-owner John Voliva.

Stewart, like all of the Bluecats, was disappointed after the season's initial game in Ft. Wayne. Stewart said, as a veteran, he knew that all of the Bluecats weapons would not be brought out in the Ft. Wayne game because of the inexperience of many of the players. He said that it was a good lesson for the younger players to learn how "super fast" an NIFL game is. That tough loss lead to a blowout win a week later as the Bluecats beat the Waco Marshals 59-7. The Bluecats had much harder practices leading up to the Waco game and Coach Guidry went "over and over and over the defense until we got it!" Stewart was happy with the win over Waco but said he won't be satisfied until the Bluecats defeat some of the leagues top teams like Ft. Wayne, two-time defending NIFL champs Ohio Valley, and this week's opponent the Show Me Believers.

The Bluecats have had bye weeks the last two weeks. The team had a limited practice schedule for those two weeks, practicing only 3 times a week. Stewart said the two weeks off, although very early in the season, were a blessing in disguise. The Bluecats had a lot of guys with nagging injuries, including Stewart, and the two weeks off have allowed them to heal some. Stewart said the team is more than ready to take on the Believers on Saturday night at Roberts Stadium, "You can see it in all the guys' eyes. We want to show that the win over Waco was not a fluke."

Stewart said that playing defensive back in the NIFL is extremely difficult because the rules are geared for high scoring games. He said, "The DB's in the NIFL are more talented than any other professional football league there is." In the NIFL the rules allow for more than one player to be in motion at a time on the offense side of the ball. "At one time you could have 4 guys in motion" which is difficult to keep up with. "One little mistake in the indoor game and the receiver scores, in the outdoor game you have a chance to catch him. You must be confident in yourself and your teammates. You have to know that you will get beat sometimes but you have to get back up and get the job done next time," Stewart said.

Stewart was born in the Cleveland area but considers Tennessee home. He played football at Carson-Newman College, a NCAA Division II school, and Maryville Colleges, a NCAA Division III school, for two years each. Scotty has had a big football influence throughout his life from his family. His father, James Sr., did everything he could to help he and his brother, 11-year NFL veteran James Stewart, to excel in sports even if it meant his dad had to go without something he wanted or needed. Scotty has five sisters and one brother. Along with his brother James, Scotty's nephew Cecil Moore also has NFL experience.

Scotty Stewart grew up in the shadow of his older brother James, but Scotty says it wasn't difficult at all. "You cannot get any more humble than my brother. My dad taught us how to carry ourselves and James carried that on to the NFL." Stewart said he doesn't get to see his dad or brother a lot, but when they do get together they play a lot of golf, but never seem to talk much about football. Stewart said he is still very close with his father and brother. Stewart said, "Without my dad none of this would be possible. He taught me everything I know." Even though his father doesn't get to see him play much, Stewart said he calls his father before and after every game. In his free time, along with playing golf, Stewart enjoys playing basketball and watching movies.

Scotty Stewart and the Evansville Bluecats take on the Show Me Believers, out of St. Louis, MO, Saturday night April 17th at 7:05PM at Roberts Stadium. Stewart wants the Evansville fans to know that this is not last year's team and the Bluecats need the fans support. Stewart said, "As an Evansville Bluecats player I guarantee you I will give 110%." So Evansville make sure you are there Saturday night to give 110% cheering on your Evansville Bluecats.



National Indoor Football League Stories from April 15, 2004


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