Dorados 2007 roster taking shape
January 16, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
Hidalgo, Texas --- As the Rio Grande Valley Dorados get ready foe their fourth season of af2 football in South Texas, head coach Marty Hammond knows he has his work cut out for him.
A disappointing end to the 2006 campaign has left a sour taste in the second-year head coach's mouth. After all, the team expected to challenge for the National Conference Championship after falling in the Conference Final the in 2005. An injury to starting quarterback Josh Kellett in Week 7 spelled doom for the Dorados last season, who saw their record slip from 5-2 at that point to a finish of 7-9.
"I learned a lot last year," said Hammond. "Losing Josh was tough and really set us back. We'll approach things a little differently this year. Hopefully we can stay injury free, but that said it's important to be able to overcome injuries to any player."
With the 2007 season now about two and half months away, Hammond's roster is slowly taking shape.
A few familiar faces have committed to returning. WR/LB Travis McAlpine, who finished third on the team with 18 TD receptions, joins OL/DL Roy Stroud and FB/LB's Keenan Washington and Frank Henson as returnees from last season.
Kellett is also slated to return and despite his injury, returned to the lineup for the final four games of 2006 and finished with 52 TD overall. Aaron Karas will challenge Kellett for the starting job. He last played at Baylor in 2003.
Hammond is excited about the additions of receivers Johnny Tyson (Texas State) and Jermaine Carpenter (Pittsburgh State), a pair of what he calls "speed guys."
The Dorados kick off 2007 on the road at Corpus Christi on April 7, the open the home half of the season vs. Laredo on April 14. Games at Obra Homes Field inside Dodge Arena begin at 7:30 p.m.
Dorados season tickets are available now by calling 956-843-7825.
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