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Open Tryout Participant Among Two Local Athlets Signed by Desperados

November 21, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release


The Dallas Desperados today signed WR/LB Sparky Hamilton, one of the almost 440 participants that went through drills at the club's open tryout three weeks ago. Hamilton – a native of Lufkin, Tex., - impressed coaches with his performance and was invited back for another look 10 days later. His raw ability has the coaching staff excited about his potential.

"We have always valued our open tryout," states Desperados Head Coach Joe Avezzano. "We've found players in the past that can play arena football, and this year, we feel like we've found a player that can compete for a spot on our team. Sparky Hamilton has played major college football. He's had some injuries, but he showed us an ability that we think can be competitive. We look forward to seeing Sparky in future competitive situations."

Hamilton was an all-America, all-state and two-time all-district wide receiver for Lufkin, Tex., High School, catching 84 passes for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns in his final two seasons of prep competition. Following his senior season, he was considered one of the top receivers in the state of Texas and accepted a scholarship to the University of Arkansas. He served as a reserve wide receiver throughout his Razorbacks career, recording 37 catches for 542 yards and three touchdowns. When his collegiate career came to a close, he spent the final five weeks of the 2003 af2 season with the Bossier City Battle Wings.

Joining Hamilton on the Desperados roster is OS Cedric Bonner – another local product that spent his prep career playing for Spruce High School in Dallas. Bonner was an all-city wide receiver for Spruce, helping the team to a district championship as a senior. Following his prep career, he was a two-year letterman for Ranger Junior College, catching 60 passes for 671 yards and three touchdowns. He transferred to Texas A&M – Commerce, and recorded 63 receptions for 871 yards and five touchdowns during his A&M – Commerce career. He went to training camp with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL this summer but was released prior to the start of the season.

In addition to Hamilton and Bonner, the Desperados have made several other roster moves lately, headlined by AFL veterans WR/DB Anthony Ladd and OL/DL Craig Moore.

Ladd has spent the past three seasons playing for the Chicago Rush, where he has seen action in 32 of a possible 44 regular season games. During his time in Chicago, he posted 83 receptions for 945 yards and 27 touchdowns – including 34 catches for 409 yards and 11 scores last spring – on the offensive side of the ball while totaling 40 tackles, five interceptions, five passes defensed and three fumble recoveries – including 13.5 stops, two interceptions, a pass defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2003 – on the defensive side of the ball.

Moore, a four-year AFL veteran, has played for Milwaukee (2000-01), Toronto (2002) and Carolina (2003) in the Arena Football League. He has totaled 53.5 tackles, 8.5 stops for losses, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defensed and four quarterback pressures during his indoor career. Last spring with the Cobras, he totaled 11.5 tackles, including one for a loss, a sack, a pressure, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He is another experienced, big lineman Dallas has added to its roster.

Dallas has also added WR/DB Jeff Hewitt – who played for Quad City of af2 last spring – WR/LB Phill McGeoghan – who has spent time with Oakland, Denver and the N.Y. Jets in the NFL – DS Vernon Mitchell – a three-year Canadian Football League veteran – FB/LB Merrill Robertson – who went to training camp this summer with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles –QB Craig Strickland – who has spent the last couple of years with the Tulsa Talons of af2 – and OL/DL Chris White – who was on the Dallas Cowboys roster as a defensive end in 2000.

Following are the latest players the Desperados have added to their roster:

AFL

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthday College Exp.

Bonner, Cedric OS 6-0 185 12/14/78 Texas A&M-Comm. R

Hamilton, Sparky WR/LB 6-4 215 4/9/81 Arkansas R

Hewitt, Jeff WR/DB 5-11 195 11/17/77 SW Missouri St. R

Ladd, Anthony WR/DB 6-0 195 12/23/73 Cincinnati 3

McGeoghan, Phil WR/LB 6-3 215 7/8/79 Maine R

Mitchell, Vernon DS 5-11 205 4/21/76 Florida A&M R

Moore, Craig OL/DL 6-4 340 12/29/76 Mississippi St. 3

Robertson, Merrill FB/LB 6-1 254 1/26/80 Virginia R

Strickland, Craig QB 6-1 210 3/18/76 Texas - El Paso R

White, Chris OL/DL 6-4 285 9/28/76 Southern R

The Dallas Desperados will begin preparations for their third indoor season in early January, 2004 when they open training camp in Dallas. They kick off the 2004 season on Feb. 8 by hosting the Carolina Cobras at the American Airlines Center. Season ticket packages are available by calling the Desperados ticket office at 972-785-4900 or by visiting the Desperados official website at www.dallasdesperados.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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