Dinkins and Whitfield Headline Group of Erie Wide Receivers

Published on February 10, 2010 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


ERIE, PA (February 10, 2010) - There will be some familiar faces to Erie football fans among the group of wide receivers expected to join the Erie Storm as they prepare for the upcoming 2010 AIFA campaign, which opens at the Tullio Arena on March 7 against the defending league champion Reading Express.

While Head Coach Shawn Liotta continues to recruit players at WR and other positions in advance of training camp, which begins on February 19 in Edinboro, several notable players have committed to joining the Storm WR corps for 2010, including perennial fan favorites David Dinkins and Darmel Whitfield (Gannon), as well as several others with local ties, such as Denayne Dixon (Edinboro), Jacobe Smith (Gannon), and Trumaine Riley, who was named an AIFA All-Star in Erie in 2009.

"We're not done putting together our training camp roster and a lot can happen over the course of the season, so we never stop being on the lookout for players. But I think our group of wide receivers is starting to come together real nicely. We've got some speed guys and others with great size which you need to have in the indoor game. David Dinkins has played for me for three seasons, he knows our offense inside and out, and he's a legitimate threat to score any time he touches the ball. Darmel Whitfield was the Freeze's best wideout and our best receiver in 2008, so we know what he's capable of. Trumaine Riley stood out to me on film from last year as a reliable receiver and a talented kickoff returner. Denayne Dixon is a local guy who is blessed with great size, and Jacobe Smith had a productive career at Gannon as well, and I'm looking forward to getting a closer look at all of them in the next few weeks." Commented Liotta.

Dinkins (6'2"-230, Morehead State) continues to be recognized as one of the most electrifying players in the AIFA. As a member of the Erie Freeze, he won a league MVP award as a quarterback. In 2007, he joined the Pittsburgh RiverRats and led the franchise to the playoffs in its inaugural season and was named to the AIFA All-Star team. Dinkins made the successful switch to wide receiver in 2008 when the team moved to Erie, recording 39 receptions and 4 touchdowns receiving. He still holds several franchise records, including longest run from scrimmage, TD passes, and total yards of offense.

Whitfield (5'11"-190) has been an instrumental part of the Erie offense for the past several seasons. In 2008, he led Erie in receiving, recording 61 receptions for 819 yards and 16 touchdowns, all franchise records. In 2009, he moved behind center to take over the quarterback duties for an injury-depleted team and provided an instant spark to the offense, completing 56% of his passes for 916 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games.

Riley (5'9"-185, Eastern Michigan) returns to Erie for his second professional season. In 2009, he led the AIFA in several special teams categories, including all-purpose yardage (1,460), all-purpose yards per game (122), and kickoff return yardage (22.5 yards per return). Riley led Erie in 2009 in receiving with 57 receptions for 601 yards and 10 touchdown receptions in 12 games.

Dixon (6'3"-251) played his first two college seasons at Gannon before making a name for himself as a highly-regarded tight end at Edinboro where as a senior, he caught 28 passes for 388 yards and 4 touchdowns, and was invited to the Cactus Bowl,the Division II all-star game.

Smith (5'11"-165) was Gannon's leading receiver as a senior in 2008 and finished his college career totaling 55 receptions for 602 yards.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from February 10, 2010


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