From Rio Grande Valley to the NFL

May 20, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


Rio Grande Valley Dorados wide receiver/linebacker Preston Hartfield attended mini-camp with the Baltimore Ravens on May 1st and left without signing a contract. The following day though, he received a phone call from the Ravens that they were interested in him attending their Passing Camp, which began Monday. Hartfield worked out for two weeks on his own around the Dorados schedule in the Rio Grande Valley for two weeks in preparation for the camp. He arrived in Baltimore Monday for camp and was greeted with an NFL contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Hartfield becomes the first player to sign an NFL contract after playing with the Dorados and he becomes a free agent acquisition listed on the Ravens roster wearing #23.

Hartfield, a 6'1" 210-pound af2 rookie appeared in the first three Dorados games this season. In the three games, Hartfield totaled 92 yards off the 8 receptions and 3 touchdowns, which co-led the squad at that point. Also at the time of his departure, Hartfield ranked second on the club defensively with 10 tackles (5 solo, 10 assisted) and had 2.5 tackles for losses of 14 yards, a 0.5 sack and an interception. He earned the US Army Ironman of the Game on April 3rd against Laredo and the ADT Defensive Player of the Game on April 24th against Oklahoma City.

The Alvord, Texas native recently turned pro last summer, signing as a free agent with the NFL's Washington Redskins after closing out his college career with Texas Tech University in the 2002 Tangerine Bowl with Clemson. In that bowl game, he had 4 receptions for 64 yards. At Texas Tech, Hartfield started out in the backfield before transitioning into an inside receiver and completing his senior year (2002) with 207 yards receiving on 21 receptions. The 23 year-old was a multi-sport star at Alvord High School. Outside of receiving All-District MVP honors in 1998, 1997 District Offensive Player of the Year and two Second Team All-District awards (1995,1996) for his efforts on the gridiron, Hartfield was also a four-time all-district selection in baseball and basketball. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) in 1999 and helped lead the football program to a NAIA National Championship before transferring to Texas Tech.

Rio Grande Valley returns to action Saturday against Laredo as they host the Law. The Dorados are 2-0 against the Laredo Law this season, as they defeated the Law 37-6 to open up the season at the Dodge Arena on April 3rd and then topped them 58-38 in their only visit to Laredo on May 1st. Fans attending this Saturday night's game will be treated to prizes when the Dorados score touchdowns. Best Buy of McAllen will present a DVD to a lucky fan after each touchdown the Dorados score. The lucky fans can only be eligible by purchasing Dorados Souvenir Programs, which benefit the Student American Dental Hygiene Association of Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen. The game will be televised regionally in the Rio Grande Valley and in Laredo and can be viewed locally on XERV Channel 9 (19 for Time Warner Cable subscribers). It will also be broadcasted on the radio on ESPN Radio 1240 AM (KSOX) with Josh Bogorad providing the play-by-play and online at www.doradosfootball.com.

Individual tickets are currently on sale for the Dorados match-up with Laredo, and may be purchased by stopping by the Dodge Arena offices (2600 N. 10th St. in Hidalgo, Tx) or contacting them by phone at 956-843-7825. Additional ticket information and corporate opportunities are available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825 or visit the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.



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