Firecats Sign a Pair of Former Spartans for 2006
Published on December 19, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL-The Firecats announced the signing of former Michigan State Spartans Cedric Henry and Marcus Waters today. The addition of the former Sarasota Booker High School teammates gives the Firecats 24 players currently signed with the team.
Waters, and af2 rookie last year, played in 5 games with the 'Cats and registered 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Hampered by a nagging hamstring injury most of last season, Waters figures to play a bigger role with the team this season on both sides of the ball. Marcus played no fewer than seven positions during his prep career at Booker High School and saw action at wide receiver, defensive end, safety, tight end, linebacker, quarterback and running back Not only does he run the 40 in 4.55 seconds, entering his freshman year at Michigan State ('99) PrepStar considered him to be "the most versatile athlete in the state of Florida" and was ranked among the South's top 12 linebackers by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Cedric Henry, a 4-year starter for the Spartans who also spent time in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, was described by one NFL scout as a "fluid defensive back who displays good footwork and wherewithal when the ball is in the air. Aggressive throughout the route, will mix it up against opponents and always working to deflect away the throw." In 2000 he was a key figure in a Spartan secondary that led the Big Ten and ranked seventh nationally in pass defense, allowing only 164.1 yards per game, he personally led the Big Ten in pass break-ups (24) and finished third in interceptions (5). In high school he earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back in 1997 and finished his prep career as Booker High School's all-time leading rusher with 3,400 yards.
With Waters and Henry both hailing from Sarasota, the Firecats continue to sign players with ties to the sunshine state. Of the 24 players currently signed with the team, no less than 15 played either college or high school football in the state of Florida. Recently the Firecats signed QB Justin Midget, WR/DB Bruce Gipson and WR/DB Elgin Hicks all 3 of whom played their high school ball at nearby Charlotte High.
The Firecats will hold their next open tryout at Estero High School in January. Call the team office or check the website (www.FloridaFirecats.com) for specific dates and more details. At the Firecats 1st open tryout the team signed University of Florida Safety Zephrin Augustine and Florida Atlantic DB Derek Zak from among the 50 or so players who attended the event.
The Firecats open the season on the road against the defending Cup Champion Memphis Xplorers April 8th. 2006 season tickets are on sale now! Call (239) 390-2287 today to reserve your seats!
arenafootball2 Stories from December 19, 2005
- Firecats Sign a Pair of Former Spartans for 2006 - Florida Firecats
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