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Burly Linemen Bolden, Bowers Re-assigned to Lightning

March 12, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league have been re-assigned OL/DL Anthony Bolden and OL/DL Maurice Bowers by the af2 league office, Lightning head coach Doug Murray announced today.

"We're excited about Anthony's return to the team this season considering how much he beefs up our pass protection," said Murray. "I'm confident he'll do his best to make life extremely easy on our pass protection game and team with David Lose and Stephen Bell to form one of the toughest offensive lines in the af2."

A part of the inaugural 2006 Lightning opening night roster, the 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman appeared in 12 games last season. Additionally, Bolden made seven tackles on the season, recorded two sacks and posted three tackles for loss.

On the offensive end, the Freeport, New York native made five catches for 79 yards and one touchdown, which was a season-high 25-yard yard scamper against the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings on June 24.

After transferring from Nassau Community College (N.Y.), Bolden completed his college football career at Temple University (NCAA), starting in 21 games for the Owls while garnering the team's Most Improved Player honors as a 2002 senior.

Along the offensive front, Bolden joins an offensive corps that includes newly-assigned QB Derrick Crudup and WR's Kenyatte Morgan and James Newson, scheduled to return to Stockton for the 2007 af2 season.

"Maurice is a solid player and individual who is familiar with our franchise and staff," said Murray. "He has a very good rapport with our players and we're confident he can fill a role this season as a versatile player within our frontline."

Bowers, 25, aims for a rebound year after appearing in five games with the Lightning in 2006 after missing the last month and a half due to injury. On the offensive end, the 6-foot, 305-pound lineman rushed for eight carries, 27 yards and one touchdown along with four receptions, 48 receiving yards and one touchdown reception. Bowers posted 7.5 tackles and one fumble recovery on the defensive end.

Bowers spent his 2005 af2 rookie season with the Albany Conquest, appearing in 12 games while registering nine tackles on the defensive end. In his four-year (1999-02) college football career at Colgate University (NCAA), Bowers totaled 50 tackles, six sacks, four fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Currently in the middle of 2007 af2 training camp, Stockton opens the 2007 af2 season on Saturday, March 31 with a road matchup against the defending ArenaCup Champion Spokane Shock, beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT.

In their first season, the Lightning ranked third in af2 attendance with an average of 7,445 fans per home game. Season tickets for the 2007 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.

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