Five Bobcats on the prowl for Austin Turfcats positions
March 24, 2009 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Austin Turfcats News Release
Austin, TX - The Austin Turfcats added five Texas State University Bobcats to their 2009 camp roster. The team signed Morris E. Crosby, Courtney Smith, Michael Rutledge, Jamal Williams, Clint Toon and Douglas Sherman.
"Having these outstanding players from Texas State really provides the Turfcats with an additional competitive edge and adds to the hometown feel that we desire with our fans," said Turfcats General Manager and Vice President Ronald Oswalt.
Crosby was a three-year starting wide receiver who moved over to defensive back. In 2007, he played a versatile role in the Texas State offense by accounting for 613 yards of team's total offense, catching 20 passes for 206 yards and tied for second on the team in touchdown receptions. Crosby rushed 13 times for 51 yards, averaged 19.4 yards per kick return and threw a 52-yard-touchdown pass against Abilene Christian.
In high school, Crosby was named to the All-Greater Houston squad as well as All-District 19-5A. He was also named to Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300 Prospect list as well as Texas Top 100 lists by the Houston Chronicle, Rivals.com and The Insiders.com.
In 2007, Smith, a defensive back, dominated the field with 19 tackles and a season-best six-stop effort against Northwestern State and recovered a fumble in the 45-31 victory over Southeastern Louisiana.
At Stoney Point High School, Smith was a three-time All-District 24-5A selection and one of the top 15 backs in Texas out of high school. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed for 1,600 yards, caught nine passes for 72 yards as a senior, and scored 10 touchdowns. Also in high school, he was in on 40 tackles and had three quarterback sacks and also an all-district selection in track.
In 2007, Rutledge, another Texas State defensive powerhouse, finished in the Southland Conference Top-30 tackle leaders with 54 total, registered 35 unassisted stops and registered a season-best ten tackles against Baylor that included five solo stops. He had a season-best seven unassisted stops against Nicholls State and recorded six pass deflections.
In high school, Rutledge was a three-year letter winner at Kempner where he rushed for 1,439 yards as a senior and 1,159 yards as a junior. He waslisted as a Texas Top athlete by the Houston Chronicle, Rivals.com and Texas Prep Xtra as well as a Dave Campbell's Top 300 selection
Williams, who served as a star on both the track and football field, rushed for a school-record 1,510 yards as a senior running back at Rockdale and was also the team's leading receiver out of the backfield. Williams' quickness won him District 18-3A's Offensive MVP as a senior and was a first-team all-district running back and defensive back as a junior.
Sherman, a Fort Worth native, was the Bobcats' leading rusher in 2004 and runs well with the ball schemes. His physical prowess should make an excellent asset to the Turfcat's tailback position.
In 2004, Sherman lead the Bobcats with 128 carries for 622 yards scoring three touchdowns and caught seven passes for 130 yards. His best rushing night of the season came against Southeastern Louisiana as he posted 14 carries for 124 yards against Southeastern Louisiana.
At Cisco Junior College, he earned a spot as a Second-Team Junior College All-American as well as named first-team all-conference as a sophomore at Cisco Junior College. He lead Texas junior colleges in rushing, running for 927 yards on 151 carries.
At Eastern Hills High School, Sherman Ran for more than 2,000 yards as a senior standout at Eastern Hills.
Toon, a quarterback with an arm designed for quick, short passes, was signed in earlier combine held at Hutto High School for the Turfcats.
Morris E. Crosby DB 5'9 185 Texas State
Courtney Smith DB 6'0 225 Texas State
Michael Rutledge DB 5'10 195 Texas State
Jamal Williams DB 5'10 203 Texas State
Clint Toon QB 6'0 195 Texas State
Douglas Sherman RB 5'7 212 Texas State
Opening day for the Turfcats is April 18 versus the Acadiana Mudbugs. Affordable sponsorship opportunities are still available to local businesses and are a great way to associate your company with a professional sports team.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from March 24, 2009
- Derik "Butch" Hadnot Featured On CBS KEYE 42 Tonight - Austin Turfcats
- Five Bobcats on the prowl for Austin Turfcats positions - Austin Turfcats
- Turfcats Weekly GM Camp Report - Austin Turfcats
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