Conquest add ten more as kick-off to 2005 season approaches
March 14, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
Albany, N.Y., Mar. 14, 2005 â The Albany Conquest of arenafootball2 announced today the assignment of ten additions to the 2005 roster. Veterans Jerald Burley (OS), Karleton Thomas (OL/DL), Marco McGee (OL/DL) and Martino Theus (WR/DB) will join rookies Tony Akins (WR/DB), Jose Portillo (OL/DL), Drakus Langford (WR/DB), Maurice Bowers (OL/DL), Keron Lucius (OL/DL), and Guy Mazard (OL/DL). The Albany Conquest will play their home opener against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Pepsi Arena. The Conquest will open the regular season on the road on April 8 at the Green Bay Blizzard.
"I am extremely excited about the caliber of players we are acquiring," said Albany Conquest Head Coach Richard Davis. "This group brings a great deal of af2 experience and youth, both of which we need to be successful. "
Jerald Burley, 5-10, 175-pounds, played in seven games with the Peoria Pirates during the 2004 season holding a share of the team lead with 10 receiving touchdowns, while finishing second with 40 catches for 518 yards. While at Youngstown State University, Burley was Honorable-Mention All-American and 1st Team All-Gateway Conference as a return specialist in 2001. The Florida native totaled 47 receptions for 725 yards and seven touchdowns in 29 games during his collegiate career.
"I had Burley pegged as one of the top offensive specialists in the league last year, behind only Tony Locke (Albany Conquest offensive specialist in 2004, who is with the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers this season)," said Coach Davis. "He is a going to be a valuable asset for this team."
Karleton Thomas and Marco McGee, both of which played for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados during the 2004 season, are experienced af2 veterans. Thomas, 6-5, 285-pounds, playing in 13 games, totaled 27 tackles last season for Rio Grande Valley, including nine for a loss and 6.5 sacks. He played in 11 games for the Greensboro Prowlers in 2003 recording 17 tackles with one for a loss and a sack. As a standout at the University of Illinois, he totaled 60 tackles in three seasons. "Karleton Thomas is one of the league's premier pass rushers and will bring us marked improvement in that area this season," said Coach Davis.
McGee, 6-5, 365-pounds, entering his fourth af2 season, has totaled 14 tackles and two sacks over his career. At North Carolina A&T State University, he was second on the team with four sacks in 1999 and totaled 50 tackles during three seasons.
Theus, a four-year af2 veteran, currently sits second in the record books with 160 catches during the 2002 season, trailing only former Albany Conquest offensive specialist Corey Hill who had 161 catches in both 2002 and 2003. His af2 career totals include 311 receptions (ranked fifth all-time) for 3624 yards (tenth all-time) and 51 touchdowns. The Tennessee native played his college ball at Lambuth University (NAIA), where he was a 1st Team All-Mid-South Conference selection.
Tony Akins (5-10, 189-pounds, NE Louisiana) and Jose Portillo (6'4, 317-pounds, Temple University) have also been assigned. "Akins spent five seasons as a starter in the Canadian Football League and is making a transition to the Arena Football game," said Coach Davis. "Jose Portillo started at each position on the offensive and defensive lines during his collegiate career at Temple so he makes for a great fit in the Arena Football game as a two-way player."
Langford, 5-10, 180-pounds, was Mountain West Conference player of the week twice while at the University of Nevada (Reno) in 2003. The Georgia native was also 1st Team All Conference and team MVP at Ventura (Calif.) College in 2002.
Bowers, 6-1, 305-pounds, earned four varsity letters at Colgate University from 1999-2002. He started ten of 11 games playing as a senior while recording 29 tackles and three sacks. He totaled 50 tackles, six sacks, and four fumble recoveries in 36 games with the Red Raiders.
Keron Lucius, 6-4, 285-pounds, played at Fordham University, where he led the Patriot League with nine sacks and was 2nd Team All-Conference in 2002. The Brooklyn native totaled 93 tackles (19 for loss), 15 sacks, and three pass deflections in 37 games over his career. "Keron Lucius could be one of the top rookies to enter this league in a long time," said Coach Davis.
Guy Mazzard, 6-3, 315-pounds, played his college ball at Youngstown State University, where he was 2nd Team All-Gateway Conference and team Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2002. He played in 32 games totaling 80 tackles and six sacks during his career.
The Albany Conquest, a proud member of the Arena Football family, are entering their fourth arenafootball2 season. The Conquest play their home opener against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers on April 15 in a 7:30 p.m. start at Pepsi Arena. Season tickets are on sale now by calling the Albany Conquest offices at (518) 487-2222 or by visiting www.albanyconquest.com for more information.
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