Dorados Add Two as they Prepare for Pioneers
May 19, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
HIDALGO, TX: May 19, 2005 â The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) were assigned wide receiver / defensive back Tracy James and defensive specialist Norman Mason today as the club prepares for their Week 8 contest against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. To make room for the two players, the Dorados placed wide receiver / defensive back John Jefferson on re-assignment and will have to complete one more transaction on Friday before Saturday's kickoff. James joins the Dorados directly out of college, completing his college football career just up the road at Texas A&M / Kingsville. The 6'1 205-pound native of Galveston, Texas began his college career in 2001 at Ranger Community College (TX) and then transferred to Texas A&M / Kingsville in 2002. James appeared in 37 games over his three seasons (2002-2004) with the Javelinas and accumulated 165 tackles (86 solo),19.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions. The 25 year-old was a 2003 Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division II Third Team All-West Region Team member and closed out last season with 53 tackles (21 solo), an interception and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a 75-yard touchdown against UC-Davis). James is a product of Galveston's Ball High School, where he was First Team All-District and named Linebacker of the Year in the district.
Mason comes to the Valley after beginning the season with the South Georgia Wildcats. He appeared in two games with the Wildcats and contributed 6.5 tackles (6 solo), two pass breakups and 51 kickoff return yards off 4 returns. The 5'10 185-pound Paducah, Kentucky native has six seasons of arena football experience and is in his fifth year of experience in the af2. Mason split the 2000 season with the Tennessee Valley Vipers and the Augusta Stallions before advancing to the Arena Football League in 2001 with the Carolina Cobras. The 30 year-old defensive specialist returned to the af2 in 2002 with the Macon Knights and registered 5 interceptions. In 2003, he earned Week 2 Ironman of the Week honors from the af2 with the Louisville Fire, where he played 9 games before heading back to Macon and appearing in two games. Mason began last season in Arkansas but was traded to the Wichita Stealth after one game. He remained with the Stealth for the remainder of the season and registered 26 tackles (24 solo) in eight games, along with 5 interceptions. Two of his interceptions were against the Dorados on 7/3/04, which garnered him co-ADT Defensive Player of the Game accolades. In his af2 career, Mason has 94 tackles (76 solo), 14 interceptions and 28 pass breakups on the defensive side of the ball, and 15 rushing yards (26 attempts) with one touchdown and 1189 receiving yards off 107 receptions and 21 touchdowns on offense in 39 games. He also has 1155 kickoff return yards off 51 returns and 4 touchdowns in his career. Mason attended Tilghman High School in Paducah before a college career at Murray State and Kentucky.
Jefferson leaves the Dorados after playing in just one game with the squad. The Wilmington, Delaware native was assigned to the squad last week and saw extensive playing time in the Dorados 61-51 win in Central Valley after both defensive specialists were injured. Jefferson, who had joined the team after beginning the season with the National Indoor Football League's (NIFL) Lakeland Thunderbolts, registered two tackles in the contest.
Both James and Mason are in the Valley and will be on the roster for Saturday night's contest against 4-2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. Media members seeking an interview with Dorados Head Coach Kevin Guy or the two new players are encouraged to do so by contacting Chris Due at 956-843-5656.
The Dorados next home game is Saturday, May 21st as the Dorados host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers for a non-division contest at Chase Field inside the Dodge Arena. Individual tickets for the game and all other home games are already on sale. Season ticket packages and advertising opportunities are still available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825. Additional info can also be found by visiting the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.
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