Chesapeake Tide announce player signings
Published on October 13, 2006 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Chesapeake Tide News Release
Chesapeake Tide Signs Three Players to Training Camp (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) - The first professional indoor football team to grace a Maryland field in over 15 years has signed three players to their spring training camp. Albert Jones II, Leonte Collins and Joe Able, three Maryland natives, have enjoyed exceptional high school, college and professional careers and are looking forward to sharing this success with the Chesapeake Tide.
The Tide hopes to attract dedicated athletes that will positively represent the team and also inspire community loyalty by drawing from local talent. "The signing of these players shows our commitment to bringing in quality, local players on board for the Tide," says Tide general manager Jeff Golas, "they are each of outstanding character and will represent the Tide well...on and off the field."
A former Terrapin, Albert "Ajai" Jones II was a standout in both high school and college, with a year of professional experience with the New York/New Jersey Revolution where he finished fifth on the team in rushing, receiving and total offense. Jones was selected to the first-team all-league by the Washington Post and second-team All-Gazette by the Prince George's (PG) county Gazette while attending Gwynn Park High School. He captained the team as a senior and led them to an 11-2 record, ranking them second in the state.
Jones transferred to the University of Maryland as a junior, assisting the Terrapins in their 2003 Gator Bowl victory, when UMD was considered one of the best backfield groups in the ACC.
Jones is anticipating his chance to show his talents, "It feels great, I'm really honored to show my talent and to work to helping the team be successful."
Leonte Collins, a former Philadelphia Soul player, comes to the Tide with exceptional high school and college football accomplishments. Collins led Surrattsville High school in pass break-ups as a junior, throwing for over 500 yards and rushing for 200. As a senior captain, Collins led the team in interceptions and broke the PG county record for interceptions in a season with 16, returning 4 for Touchdowns. Collins received MVP honors and was chosen to play in the Chesapeake Classic All-Star game.
Collins brought his talent and work ethic to Hampton University where he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) player of the week, twice. He ended his college career with 76 tackles and 6 interceptions.
In addition to his professional experience with the Soul, Collins also played for the Arena Football League 2 (AFL2) with the Cape Fear Wildcats.
An all-around athlete, Joe Able garnered the team offensive Co-Rookie of the Year as a freshman at Wesley College. A four year starter for the Wolverines, Able set the school record for average yards per catch in a season at 20.7 and was selected to the first-team All-Conference as a senior. He holds fourth place in the Wolverine record books with both career receiving yards (2057) and career receiving touchdowns (24). Able stands as the all-time homerun leader for the Wesley Baseball team, where he was also a four-year starter. Able also earned professional football experience with the Greenville Riverhawks.
During Able's three years as a starter for Lake Clifton High School, his team accomplished a 4A North Region championship, a #2 ranking in the state of Maryland and an overall national ranking. While in high school he gained the state record for most points in a half and achieved over 1,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards.
The Tide is proud to extend invitations to these exceptional athletes in hopes of attracting only the best and most hardworking competitors to our organization.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from October 13, 2006
- Chesapeake Tide announce player signings - Chesapeake Tide
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