Muskegon Thunder Thrilled At Return Of Simpson, Lesniak
Published on February 16, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Muskegon Thunder News Release
MUSKEGON - The Muskegon Thunder are less than one month away from their debut in the Indoor Football League. The third-year franchise will adjust from the 7-on-7 brand of football they played previously in the CIFL to the 8-man variety featured in the IFL. Helping make the transition a little smoother will be a pair of key indoor veterans just signed for the upcoming season.
Defensive back Maurice "Mo" Simpson and running back Brent "B-Man" Lesniak, both of whom suited up for the Thunder's inaugural season in 2007, will lead the Blue Brigade when they open the 2009 campaign at home against the Saginaw Sting on March 13th. The Sting are also transitioning to the IFL, having won the CIFL championship in 2008.
One 'Mo' Time
Simpson, a 31-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native, has donned the Carolina Blue for the past two seasons. Fans have grown accustomed to seeing the man wearing jersey No. 1 make big plays and bigger hits. No one in the CIFL made better use of the dasher board walls as both an extra defender and a tool of intimidation.
"That's the first thing I want to do is send them over," declared Simpson of his punishing style of play. "I like to do it and the fans like to see it."
Crowds have enjoyed Simpson's prowess as a last-line defender since his days at Warren G. Harding High in Ohio. He made first-team All-Steel Valley and eventually earned a scholarship to play at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania. Once there, he continued to garner praise, twice being named first-team All-President's Athletic Conference while claiming the 1997 Defensive Player of the Year award with 8 interceptions.
While at Thiel, Simpson earned a degree in Sociology and currently works as a counselor at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. He is married to wife Erin and has a daughter, Makhyli.
Last year Simpson had a pair of picks and finished fourth on the team in tackles. In 2007, he was voted Defensive POY by his Thunder teammates.
Speed is a big part of Simpson's game as well, and that attribute was also on display for Thiel's track and field team, where he was a two-time All-American selection and helped the Tomcats win three consecutive league championships from 1997-99.
The speed of the indoor game took some getting used to, but with two full seasons under his helmet, Simpson is ready for a breakout season.
"I expect to have a big year," said the 6-foot, 195 pound Simpson. "I really started to know what I was doing out there last year. I almost feel like another coach out there now."
Coaching is definitely in Simpson's future. Last year he broke into the profession as a varsity defensive backs coach at Grand Rapids Central High School and he will add head coach of the junior varsity to his resume this fall.
In the CIFL, only one offensive player was allowed to be in motion when the ball was snapped, but the IFL permits two motion men. According to Simpson, however, adjusting to the 8-man game won't be a big deal on the defensive side of the ball.
"It's actually a little easier," he confessed. "With the extra man out there, there are spots on the field that used to be open that aren't open anymore. It's really just getting used to the second man in motion."
Little Big Man
Lesniak, 28, is nearly always in motion, whether prior to the snap or after. His roles for the Thunder in 2007 included running back, receiver and return specialist and he quickly became a crowd favorite for his swivel-hipped running style that turned seemingly innocent plays into spectacular gains.
The Dowagiac, Michigan native totaled 889 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns during his rookie season. He holds the distinction of scoring the very first touchdown in franchise history, a two yard burst that helped propel the Thunder to a 42-21 win over the Summit County (Ohio) Rumble on March 24th, 2007.
"My first professional game will always be special," recalled Lesniak. "It was a good experience. I wish we could have been a little more successful."
That Thunder season ended with a 4-9 record and left Lesniak seeking a new path. That search landed him behind enemy lines, as he joined Muskegon's top CIFL rival, the Kalamazoo Xplosion. While wearing the black and gold, Lesniak again excelled as a multi-dimensional threat, scoring 15 times and leading the Xplosion in all-purpose yardage.
Lesniak has tasted success at every level. Dowagiac posted a 25-5 record during his varsity years during which time he earned back-to-back All-State recognition. His collegiate career at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. started with All-American honors as a freshman and ended with a Division II national championship. Last year saw Lesniak and the Xplosion make it all the way to the CIFL championship game before falling to Saginaw.
The CIFL crossover journey helped teach Lesniak a valuable lesson as he went from being a go-to guy to being just another piece of the puzzle.
"We had a lot of talent," said Lesniak. "At the end, we almost had had too much talent. It got difficult at times. I learned in Kalamazoo to make personal sacrifices for the good of the team. I'd rather play less and win football games. That's a lot funner at the end of the day."
Lesniak is hoping to find the perfect balance this time around in Muskegon.
"I just want to fit in where I fit in," said the shifty 5-foot-7, 180-pound scat back who is employed as an ISR at Niles High School, where he also serves as a defensive back/wide receivers coach. "The bonds and relationships I made with that team (2007) are still there."
Muskegon Thunder 2009 Schedule
Mar. 13 SAGINAW
Mar. 28 BLOOMINGTON
Apr. 4 @ Rochester
Apr. 10 @ Saginaw
Apr. 17 ROCHESTER
Apr. 24 MARYLAND
May 1 SAGINAW
May 9 @ Sioux Falls
May 15 @ Bloomington
May 23 SIOUX FALLS
May 30 @ Maryland
Jun. 6 RIVERCITY
Jun. 13 @ Maryland
Jul. 11 @ Rochester
HOME GAMES in all CAPS
Indoor Football League Stories from February 16, 2009
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- Raiders Re-Sign Jackson, Donnelly, Baker - Rochester Raiders
- Muskegon Thunder Thrilled At Return Of Simpson, Lesniak - Muskegon Thunder
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