Diggs readies Spartans for season opener
February 4, 2007 - World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2)
Augusta Colts News Release
AUGUSTA, GA, February 3 --- Just a week before playing at Daytona Beach in the first-ever World Indoor Football League game, Augusta Spartans head coach Bubba Diggs was enthusiastic about his team's prospects as training camp wound down.
"We had a controlled scrimmage in sloppy weather. It was wet and cold, but we got a good look at every one of approximately thirty players still on our roster," said Diggs. Like most professional indoor teams, the Spartans are forced outdoors for much of the preseason due to hockey and other event commitments at James Brown Arena.
There's fierce competition for Augusta's starting quarterback job between local products Jamie Williamson and Brandon Satcher, both first-year pros. Williamson comes off an all-star season with the amateur Augusta Ragin' Bulls, while Satcher, a former North Augusta High School star, spent time at the University of Hawaii. "Neither is head and shoulders over the other, and it should be interesting to see how the battle for the starter's job pans out," said Diggs.
Whoever wins the quarterback spot will throw to a talented group of pass-catchers. "I've very confident in our returning core receivers, Anthony Young, Marvin Stone and Rod Price," continued Diggs. "But I'm really expecting major impact from T.J. Watkins, who's spent three years with the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. He's been slowed by injuries, but is healthy now." Watkins is another N. Augusta H.S. product who played his college ball at Clemson.
As for the running game, Diggs says he's "looking for a fullback to step to the forefront, either Willie Butler or Matt Tripp, and we're getting a good battle between them." Butler returns after a half-season with Augusta in 2006 and Tripp is a newcomer, a former collegiate rugby player whose performance has excited Diggs, a professional coach since 2001 with the arenafootball2 Augusta Stallions.
The placekicker position is still open, and Diggs says he has two more candidates arriving Monday. In addition to field goals and extra points, WIFL kickers can score an "uno" (one point) for any kickoff booted through the uprights, a distance of almost 60 yards.
Defensively, Diggs says the Spartans' secondary is carrying the load and looking the best positionally so far. He touted the athleticism of free safety Chip Dykes and cornerback Edrell Green and raved about linebacker Ralph Scott, a "monster on the field who loves the indoor game. He's a utility guy whose motor runs 24/7, a 220-pounder who plays like he's 260. I like everything about him, he's got one speed and that's full-tilt."
Augusta's top lineman, in Diggs' view, is Voncellius Allen, a seven-year veteran with considerable Arena Football League experience (Grand Rapids Rampage, Carolina Cobras and af2 Augusta Stallions).
Diggs will trim the roster to an active twenty players and five on the injury/reserve list in accordance with WIFL rules in time for the Spartans' February 11 opener at the Daytona Beach Thunder. Visit www.augustaspartansfootball.com and www.wifl.us for more information on Augusta's upcoming season.
World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from February 4, 2007
- Diggs readies Spartans for season opener - Augusta Colts
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