NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Brawlers Camp Features Quarterback Battle

February 16, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bricktown Brawlers News Release


The Oklahoma City Bricktown Brawlers began training camp this week and have three quarterbacks competing for the starting quarterback job.

Reggie Ball (6-0, 195) has enjoyed the most successful of the three players competing for the Bricktown Brawlers starting job. Ball is a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback who was once ranked as the No. 15 quarterback in the nation coming out of high school.

Less than four weeks after arriving at Georgia Tech, he was named the starter. In his freshman season, he set the school freshman record for passing yards (1,996), pass completions (181) and total offense (2,380). In his sophomore season, he ranked third in the ACC for total offense, averaging 206.6 yards a game.

Ball ranks second or third in Georgia Tech history in most quarterback categories, including career passing yards (8,128, 3rd), touchdown passes (57, 2nd) and total offense (9,579, 2nd). He also set school records for passes attempted (1,363) and completed (662).

While not drafted, Reggie Ball signed on with the Detroit Lions as a wide receiver, ironically the same team in which his college teammate Calvin Johnson became a star. They eventual placed him on their practice squad for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The next quarterback vying for the Bricktown Brawlers starting role is Cleveland McCoy (6-2, 220). The native of Hollywood, South Carolina went to college at South Carolina State University from 2004-2007.

In his career at SCSU, McCoy amassed 4,233 yards and 25 touchdowns. In his second season with the team, the team led the MEAC in offensive production.

Cleveland McCoy signed with Winnipeg in the CFL after college but was let go when the team brought in a new coach. He went on to play indoor football for the Carolina Speed, playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver. McCoy threw for 567 yards and 11 TDs, ran for 122 more yards and six TDs, and caught 11 passes for 97 yards.

In 2009, he tried out with the Detroit Lions, lasting three weeks in their training camp. The season ended up with Cleveland McCoy playing for a semi-pro team in North Charleston for the love of the game.

Nate Samas is the third quarterback hoping to make his name with the Bricktown Brawlers. Samas is the youngest quarterback on the team, one year removed from a huge career at Fort Valley State University.

Samas was named 2006 SIAC Freshman of the Year but his career hit a short roadblock. He didn't start the next two seasons thanks to a big name quarterback who transferred in but, when he took over in his senior year, lit up the SIAC. In his senior year, Samas was the primary weapon in an offense that averaged 349 yards and 29.6 points a game. His team also led the SIAC in pass efficiency with 229 yards a game.

Bricktown Brawlers coach William McCarthy said a starting quarterback has not been named quite yet so all three quarterbacks have a lot to show in the training camp leading up to the start of the 2011 season.

The Bricktown Brawlers home opener is Sunday, March 6th, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. CT versus the Allen Wranglers. Great seats are still available by calling (405) 602-8557.

• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...

Indoor Football League Stories from February 16, 2011


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.

Other Recent Bricktown Brawlers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central