First Lions Signees Former Pacelli, Shaw Stars
October 12, 2011 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA, October 12 -- Columbus Lions Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Jason Gibson announced his first two 2012 player signings in Florida State fullback Matt Dunham, a former Pacelli High School record-setter, and Citadel defensive back Demetrius Jackson, ex-Shaw High School, also of Columbus.
Dunham, 6'1" and 250 lbs., graduated Pacelli in 2005 rated by rivals.com as #1 player in Georgia and #14 nationwide after shattering Herschel Walker's state record by scoring 111 career touchdowns and gaining almost 3,500 yards rushing his junior and senior years. Choosing Florida State over offers from Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech, Dunham ran into injury problems in college, and played mostly as a blocking back, defensively as a linebacker and on special teams. He had seven interceptions as a junior and 100 tackles his senior year.
"Matt's got a lot of qualities we look for in players," said Gibson. "He's filled a lot of roles, which is a huge asset in indoor football, is very athletic and obviously has played at a very high level in the ACC. He can block, catch and run, plays all over the field and is a very high-quality young man as well."
Reached for comment, Dunham said from the gym "I want to thank Coach Gibson for the opportunity to join the Lions organization, and hope to make a big contribution towards next season. I'm getting prepared right now by hitting the weight room, trying to get in my running and look forward to the months ahead."
Jackson is 5'10", 200 lbs. and started more than thirty games at The Citadel, most at safety. His senior year included a two-touchdown game off a blocked field goal and interception returns for 126 yards. For the season, Jackson tallied 47 tackles with three interceptions returned for 84 yards. He was one of three Bulldogs who performed for 15 NFL and CFL scouts at Citadel "Pro Day" this past March.
"Demetrius came to us through a player agent friend of mine," said Gibson. "He's got a lot of experience and discipline, as evidenced by four years at a military institution under (Bulldogs Coach) Kevin Higgins. He's got good size, can knock some skulls and has overcome some tough family circumstances -- all plusses for us."
Jackson lives in Charleston, SC but will move back to Columbus soon to find a job and prepare for training camp, said "I'm happy to be under contract to the Columbus Lions, and feel blessed to be given the chance to do what I love to do most - and that's to play football. I hope to bring some of the fire from my Citadel years to the Lions real soon!" Jackson credited former Shaw coach Charles Flowers as "the one who made me the man I am today. He honestly got me ready for college with the toughest practices I've ever experienced."
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LIONS NOTES: Gibson and staff coach the Ft. Benning Doughboys (1-0) against Georgia Military College this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Doughboy Stadium. Admission is free and the public need only show picture ID to get on post ... The Lions have a merchandise and ticket sales table inside the Civic Center during this week's run of the Greater Columbus Fair ... Season ticket sales for 2012 near 400, or roughly half last year's total.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from October 12, 2011
- First Lions Signees Former Pacelli, Shaw Stars - Columbus Lions
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