Local Veterans, Crowd Favorite Return for 2003
Published on January 27, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY â With less than nine weeks until the beginning of training camp, the 2002
Northeast Division Champions Albany ConQuest have been assigned four players by the arenafootball2 league office. All four return from the 14-4 inaugural squad and include OL/DL Lou Vega, FB/LB Matt Vittengl, WR/DB Adriel Linyear, and WR/DB/QB Kevin Siska.
Returning for their second season with the ConQuest are fan-favorite Vega (Glenville State), and South Glens Falls native Vittengl (R.P.I.). Both players coached football at RPI during this past off-season. Vega, who is best known in Albany for his wild hairdos and getting the Pepsi Arena crowd to echo "Looooou" after one of his big plays, brings back to the team his 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles from 2002. Vega, entering his third season in af2, was twice named as Built Ford Tough Player of the Game.
Vittengl, one of the best linebackers in the history of RPI and a 2000 Division II All-American, returns to the ConQuest after being nominated for 2002 af2 Ironman of the Year. During the inaugural season, "Vitt" recorded 45.0 tackles (four for losses), 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three recoveries and two blocked kicks. A three-time Ironman of the Game and ADT Defensive Player of the Game honoree, Matt also contributed seven rushing touchdowns while gaining 73 yards on 30 carries.
Linyear (Lafayette) joins fellow Leopards' Mike Levy and Jeremy Beamon on the ConQuest roster for the second straight season. Linyear, who attended Shaker High School (Latham, NY) caught 15 passes for 174 yards and scored four touchdowns in 2002. Defensively, he contributed 22.5 tackles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. His best performance came in week two, when "A" was named Ironman of the Game against Rochester for his effort (6 rec. for 72 yds (TD) and 4.5 tackles (four solo)).
Siska (RPI) was bounced between active and inactive throughout the 2002 season and spent the off-season playing for the Glens Falls Green Jackets of the Empire Football League. Siska, whose RPI career saw him named first-team ECAC as a wide receiver, was also named Rookie of the Year of the EFL as starting quarterback after racking up over 2,500 all-purpose yards and leading the upstate New York semi-pro team to their first national championship.
The ConQuest open up their season April 5th in Richmond, VA. The home opener is Friday, April 11th at the Pepsi Arena, as the ConQuest open up with back-to-back contests against the Richmond Speed. For information on season tickets call 487-2222 or visit online at www.albanyconquest.com.
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