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Old Faces Return to the Fire

June 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Louisville Fire News Release


When fans come into Freedom Hall Saturday night to watch the 6-2 Fire take on the 6-2 Quad City Steamwheelers they will see some familiar faces back in Fire uniforms. Wide receiver/defensive back Tony Stallings (5'11, 205, Louisville), defensive specialist Demont Smith (5'11, 190, Michigan St.), and offensive specialist Ryan Russell (5'10, 180, West Liberty St.) will all be in action this weekend.

Stallings, who was filming a reality show called King of the Jungle for Animal Planet, makes his return after missing four games. Prior to going to the jungle Stallings was a spark for the Fire on both offense and defense. On the offensive side of the ball Stallings had 19 receptions for 239 yards and four touchdowns; he also has rushed 12 times for 46 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively Stallings has 11 tackles and five pass deflections.

"Tony is a playmaker. Every time he gets the ball he is a threat to take it all the way," commented Fire head coach Tommy Johnson.

Smith, who spent time on the practice squads with the Grand Rapids Rampage and Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League, played in six games with the Fire last season. As a WR/DB last season Smith caught 16 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns with the Fire. On defense Smith intercepted two passes, totaled 20 tackles and seven pass deflections. Smith also spent time with the Charleston Swamp Foxes of the af2 last season where he intercepted eight passes.

"Demont is the total package. He can get it done on both sides of the ball. Defensively he has the capability to bring us what we are missing in the secondary," remarked Johnson.

Russell, who missed four games with a groin injury, has 10 receptions this season with five of them going for touchdowns. Russell started the 2004 season off with a 55-yard kick return for a touchdown the first time the Fire touched the ball. Russell, who had been playing WR/DB, will move into the offensive specialist spot after James Scott was put on short-term injured reserve.

"Ryan has the speed to get by a lot of defensive backs. Just like Tony, Ryan is a threat to get in the end zone when he gets the ball," commented Coach Johnson.

The Fire and the Steamwheelers will kickoff at 7:30 Saturday night. The first 1,500 kids 14 and under will receive a Fire replica jersey. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (502) 368-0009, by visiting the Freedom Hall box office or at Ticketmaster.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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