Dorados Add Experience and Make Additional Changes

April 2, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


DORADOS ADD EXPERIENCE AND MAKE ADDITIONAL MOVES

ARLINGTON NATIVE CRAIG COLE ADDED TO THE ROSTER AND HOLMES REJOINS SQUAD

HIDALGO, TX: April 2, 2004 – The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) made a series of moves today, just one-day prior to kicking off their inaugural campaign, as they were assigned offensive specialist Craig Cole and fullback/linebacker Jamison Holmes. To fit Cole and Holmes into the roster, the Dorados reassigned Tai Dunson-Strane and Tracy Archer.

"Craig is a tremendous vet that is pretty much a coach when he is on the field," said Dorados Offensive Coordinator Rodney Blackshear, who was Craig's workout partner when they were teammates in Houston (AFL). "He brings speed, runs excellent routes and he will have no problem finding the endzone."

Cole, a 5'9" 195-pound native of Arlington, Texas found the endzone 30 times in 2001 as a member of the af2 champion Quad City Steamwheelers. He wrapped up that season leading the team with 2,323 overall yards, with an average of 145.2 yards per game. Cole ranked tied for second in the league by recording six touchdowns in one-game and by recording 15 receptions in a single game. The 28 year-old also led the league's single-game mark for missed field goal returns for a touchdown with 2. His season numbers included 1570 receiving yards (5th in league) off 126 receptions and 26 touchdown receptions. Cole also has Arena Football League (AFL) experience and played three games during the 1999 season with the Grand Rapids Rampage. He spent time with the Houston Thunderbears, where he developed a relationship with Head Coach Gary Gussman and also Rodney Blackshear. Cole attended college at Abilene Christian University and was a three-time All-Conference performer at wide receiver and special teams. Also played at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, where he was a All-Conference selection. Cole was all-district in high school and was in the 1993 graduating class at Arlington-Martin High School.

Holmes rejoins the squad after beginning the season in camp with the Dorados. He was a member of the 2000 Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) champion Mississippi Fire Dawgs. The 6'1" 240-pound Destrehan, Louisiana native has spent almost all of his playing career in Louisiana, beginning in high school at Destrehan High School. He played one year (1995) in college at Louisiana Tech. Holmes played in the North American Football League (NAFL) with the Baton Rouge Red Wings (1997,1998), in the SAFL in 1998 with the Kenner City Chiefs and two seasons in the IFL (1999,2000) with the New Orleans Hurricanes.

Saturday night's 7:30 PM kickoff will be televised locally on XERV Channel 9 (Cable 19) with Chris Due calling the play-by-play action, Hidalgo High School Head Varsity Football Coach Al Guerra providing color analysis and Jeffrey Salcedo contributing sideline information. Fans are also encouraged to tune in the game on ESPN Radio 1240 AM or online at www.doradosfootball.com , as Josh Bogorad will provide the play-by-play and injured Dorado Brent McDonald will provide commentary.

Individual and season tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by stopping by the Dodge Arena offices (2600 N. 10th St. in Hidalgo, Tx) or contacting them by phone at 956-843-7825. Additional ticket information and corporate opportunities are available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825 or visit the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.



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