Bucks Name Training Camp Roster
March 1, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Houma Bayou Bucks News Release
Houma, LaâWith the days winding down till their season opener against divisional rival Tupelo FireAnts, the Bayou Bucks would like to announce their initial preseason roster. The roster includes a mix of veteran NIFL players along with some fresh faces to the indoor league.
The centerpiece for the Bayou Bucks' third campaign in the National Indoor Football League is the signing of veteran indoor QB Doug Coleman. Coleman's extensive experience spans from playing with the world champion Baton Rouge Bayou Beast for the 1998-1999 seasons. He later played the 2000 season with Louisiana Rangers (Alexandria), which has subsequently moved to Beaumont, TX. In 2001, Coleman played parts of the season with the Lafayette Roughnecks of the Arena Football 2 League and the Lake Charles LandSharks of the NIFL.
Backing up Doug Coleman will be third year Buck, Aubrey Jones. In three seasons with Houma, Jones has completed 99 of 219 passing attempts with 1306 yards and 23 TDs in 13 games. Joining Jones and Coleman calling the signals for Houma will be rookie Bayou Buck and Thibodaux native Shannan Gros.
In 2004, Houma's backfield will present a combination of faces. Cedric Allen leads an inexperienced group with his 9 TDs from 2003. His backfield peers will be former ULL Rajin Cajun William Young, Labarron Black from Troy State, and Jarvis Dunn from Southwest Community College.
The offensive line will be anchored in â04 by 2 time All-Conference center, Troy Davis. Ryan Rogers will also return to the Bucks to solidify their offensive front. Former Nicholls State standout, Matt Deroche, will be competing for snaps with Tanner Swetman from Southern Mississippi along with Jason Reeves and Richard Griffin; both hail out of Virginia Union.
Competition will have a tremendous impact in shaping this season's WR corp. Houma mainstay Kevin Heard of Southern Mississippi returns, with his two season totals of 1140 yards receiving and 19 TDs. Returning with Heard from last season is local standout from Vandebilt Catholic High, Clint Schexenayder. The remaining roster spots are up for grabs between former Northwestern State Demon Devon Lockett, fan favorite Darian Chestnut, Marquis Phillips of Huron University (South Dakota), and Ahmad Harris of Louisiana Tech.
The defensive line will prove to once again to be a strong suit for Houma again in 2004. Nose guard Roger Green returns with DE Andre Reed to reinforce an already strong defensive line. Competing for the third spot up front will be Alex Coleman from Southern University, Dale Smith from South West Missouri State, and Sean Steward from William Penn University.
The linebacker corps will remain unchanged from last season. Timothy Betts returns with his team high 54 tackles from the â03 season. Joining Betts again in 2004 is former Tulane LB David Dorsey.
The defensive back field is loaded with the presence of veteran indoor football players. Former NIFL All Conference DBs, Sullivan Beard and Tyrone Hughes combined for 15 intercepted passes in 2003. Local favorite, Drew Himel also makes his return to the Bayou Bucks coming off a 2003 season in which he had 24 tackles and 2 pass interceptions. Newcomers that hope to roam in the secondary in 2004 include Denero Cloud from the University of Western Alabama, David Philyaw from Troy State, Lucian Stamps from Southern University, and Thalamus Rogers.
The battle for the kicker position is between reigning Bucks kicker Chris Stropolo and former Louisiana State University Punter Ryan Miles.
When asked about his initial thoughts of 2004 Bucks squad Coach Jack Phillips responded, "The theme for this season's training camp is competition. We have a lot of young guys that are new to this league that are hungry to make an impact." Phillips went on to add, "We are out here every night working hard, and trying to put a product on the field that the tri-parish area will be proud of."
These additions put the Bayou Bucks roster at 36 players. National Indoor Football League regulations require teams to cut down to 25 players, only allowing 21 to dress on game days.
The Bayou Bucks begin their third season on Friday March 12 at the Bancorp South Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. The following week the Bucks open their home schedule with a rematch of the first round of the 2003 playoffs against the Lake Charles Landsharks. For ticket information please call (985) 851-3600.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 1, 2004
- CardSharks Add Offensive Firepower, Sure Up Defense - Atlantic City CardSharks
- Bucks Name Training Camp Roster - Houma Bayou Bucks
- Believers turnovers prove costly in pre-season tilt - RiverCity Rage
- Isaac Names 2004 Coaching Staff, Single Game Tickets Go on Sale - Tennessee/Greenville RiverHawks
- Greyhounds sign a Rocket - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
- Marshals announce training camp schedule and roster - The Marshals
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