Dusters bring back core group
November 3, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Amarillo Venom News Release
At a press conference held today at the Ambassador Hotel, the Amarillo Dusters announced the assignment from the af2 league office of the returning core group of players for the 2006 season. Quarterback Steve Panella, linemen Kert Turner and Sione Ohuafi, Wide Receiver/Linebackers Jarrod Rouanzoin and Derek Watson, and Offensive Specialist Anton Paige have all signed af2 contracts and will take leadership roles for the Dusters.
"The foundation for our success in 2006 is now set," said Dusters General Manager Warren McCarty. "We had to take a long look in the mirror personally at the conclusion of the season, and we had to make a decision on the future with respect to the kind of players we wanted in Dusters uniforms. Feathers may get ruffled along the way, and feelings may get hurt. We shocked a lot of people last season, but we didn't achieve our goal. Our success will always be determined by whether or not we are champions. We won it all in our first year, and we reveled in it. Despite moving up to another level of competition, last season's result was unacceptable. These players will get us the desired results on and off the field."
Steve Panella made history last season as he became the first Canadian quarterback to ever start an arena football game, leading the Dusters to a 51-38 victory over Bossier-Shreveport on June 25th. Panella was the backup quarterback in 2004 and 2005 for the Dusters. In 2005, Panella passed for 606 yards and 8 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 4 touchdowns as well.
Kert Turner returns for his third season in a Dusters uniform, as he appeared in all 16 games last season as a Center/Noseguard. He racked up 10.5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 batted balls, and recovered 1 fumble.
Sione Ohuafi also returns for a third season with the Dusters. He appeared in 7 games for the Dusters in 2005, starting at Center/Noseguard. Ohuafi had 6.5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
Jarrod Rouanzoin will once again be a versatile star for the Dusters. Last season, he played Wide Receiver, Jack Linebacker, and was the third quarterback and backup kicker. This season, Rouanzoin will play Wide Receiver and Jack Linebacker, as well as serving as the backup quarterback. In the 2005 regular season, he caught 17 passes for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns, despite missing several games with a broken arm.
Derek Watson was a late-season addition to the practice squad for the Dusters, making the trek down from Canada. Watson was a college-teammate of Steve Panella at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At 6'3, 210 lbs, he will be another tall addition to the Dusters' receiving corps.
Anton Paige is focused on regaining his form from 2004, and setting af2 on fire. He missed the entire 2005 season with a knee injury. After starring at Texas Tech, the 6'5, 210 lb Offensive Specialist racked up 51 touchdown catches and ran for another 4 touchdowns in 11 games with the Lubbock LoneStars of the now-defunct IFL in 2004. He earned All-league honors.
"We sat down with each and every one of these guys, and made sure that we were all on the same page with our expectations and demands," said Dusters Head Coach Steve Perdue. "Steve will play in the AFL, he has the mind and all of the physical tools. He's a winner. Big Kert and Sione are arguably the best center-noseguards in af2, and we expect them to be even better this next season. They both adjusted to the position very well. They have next-level ability as well. Jarrod is an amazing athlete and an amazing person. He's got size, hands, good speed, leaping ability, he can make any throw he needs to, and he can step in and kick for us if we need him to. He balled out during the playoffs. Derek came in late last year and learned the game. He's a defensive player by nature, but showed great hands and great effort. He's fearless. It's nice to have another tall receiver who will play every down 100%. Anton Paige is silky smooth, and he's mastered route-running. At 6'5, he poses an automatic mismatch when he steps on the field. He's been in two NFL camps, and wants to win a ring with us. We are excited and ready to continue the building process."
The Dusters have also offered af2 contracts to FB/LB Ray Gates and DS Charles Davis, OL/DL Nick Brockington, and WR/LB Erick Harris.
"We hope they move up," said Dusters General Manager. "If not, the ball is in their court. I hope they want to be part of something special."
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arenafootball2 Stories from November 3, 2005
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- Dusters bring back core group - Amarillo Venom
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