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Predators Announce Franchise's First Player Signings

December 23, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Seattle Timberwolves News Release


Kent, WA: On December 7th, the Kent Predators were introduced as the 26th franchise to play in the 2010 Indoor Football League season. Today, the team announced their first player signings in team history. Fifteen individuals out of more than fifty who attended last weekend's open tryout will be invited to training camp in hopes of being on the field February 28th when the Predators face the defending IFL Champion Billings Outlaws.

The group of players selected, headlined by former Western Washington University and Tri-Cities Fever Defensive back Kevin Jones and Portland State Linebacker Keista "KJ" McCrae, proves the team will have a strong emphasis on stopping their opponents attack this season. Eleven of the fifteen players signed are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, which is no surprise considering coaching consultant Mike Davis's pedigree. Last season he was the Defensive Coordinator for a RiverCity Rage team who was one win away from winning the first ever IFL United Bowl Championship. Joining the team for the 2010 season are:

Kevin Jones- DB Tri-Cities Fever/Western Washington University

Jones heads to the Predators after a brief stint in 2009 with the Tri-Cities Fever, formally of the AF2. He saw action in one game after signing late in the season. As a local star at Western Washington University, Jones was a standout defensive back while also seeing time on Special Teams as a kick returner. He had perhaps his best season in 2005 where played in all ten games registering 33 tackles (27 solo), 7 pass breakups, 1 pass interception, 1 fumble recovery and 2 forced fumbles. He also returned 8 kickoffs for 128 yards. An Achilles injury forced him to miss the 2006 and 2007 seasons. As a senior in 2008 he played in ten games, totaling 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, an interception and 2 pass breakups.

Keista "KJ" McCrae- LB Portland State

McCrae joins the Predators for his first season of professional football after three seasons at Portland State University. His senior season for the Vikings in 2008 got him multiple looks from the professional ranks as he totaled 75 tackles, 12 of them for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. The two-time All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention finished his collegiate career with 108.5 tackles (73 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception.

H. Mark Onibokun-DB Boise State

After two seasons of Junior College, Onibokun was heavily recruited by many major Division I collegiate programs. He committed to Boise State where he was a member of the 2003 Broncos team that won the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, defeating TCU 34-31. While playing mostly on Offense and Special Teams he finished his collegiate career with 12 catches for 126 while also returning 15 kick for 382 yards for an average of 25.5 yards per return. On defense he recorded one interception in a game in 2004 versus Hawaii.

Broderick Hutchins-DB Concordia (WI)/Milwaukee Bonecrushers

Hutchins joins the Predators with prior indoor football experience after playing in four games with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2008. That season he totaled 20 tackles and 1 interception in four games. In two seasons as a defensive back at Concordia University from 2005-2006, he picked off 13 passes and accumulated 181 return yards off those takeaways.

Blaine McConnell-S/WR U. of Idaho

Tony Grote-OL/DL Tacoma Cobras

Grote comes to Kent fresh off his dominating performance in the Professional Developmental Football League. As a member of the Tacoma Cobras, Grote was named as the 2009 PDFL Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also named to the First Team All-PDFL Offense as a Center for a Cobras team that won the first ever PDFL Championship.

Andre "Piper" Gordon-WR Renton Ravens

Following a 9-3 season in the Cascade Football League that culminated in a Championship berth, Jordan joins the Predators with a reputation for being a big play Wide Receiver. The First Team CFL All-Conference member had a league long 70 yard catch and totaled eight touchdowns during the 2009 season.

Marcus Reed-RB Tacoma Cobras

Reed follows former teammate Tony Grote to the Predators from the Tacoma Cobras of the PDFL. And much like his former battering mate, he too collected some post-season hardware. Reed was named the 2009 PDFL Running back of the Year and was also selected to the First Team All-PDFL Offensive team. The Cobras relied heavily on Reed down the stretch which allowed them to become the first ever PDFL Champions in 2009.

Toby Smith-LB Seattle Stallions

Like Gordon and McGee, Smith comes to the Predators from the Cascade Football League. During the 2009 season he helped the Stallions to a perfect 9-0 regular season record as an anchor on defense. He totaled 38 tackles, 9 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions which he returned for touchdowns.

Marcus Whittaker-S Tacoma Cobras

In addition to Grote and Reed, Safety Marcus Whittaker comes to the Predators after a season with the Tacoma Cobras of the Professional Developmental Football League. Whittaker was a central figure for a defensive unit that defeated the Bellingham Blitz 36-31 in the PDFL Championship.

Damien Coaxum-RB College of the Redwoods

A bruising style runner out of the College of the Redwoods, Coaxum figures to be a touchdown threat near the goal line. During his final collegiate season in 2001 he ran for 559 yards on 102 carries with 8 touchdowns (5.4 yard avg.). He also caught 35 passes for 599 yards and 4 scores.

William McGee-RB Renton Ravens

McGee joins former teammate Andre "Piper" Gordon from the Renton Ravens of the Cascade Football League to compete for the starting Running back spot for Kent. He was a CFL All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2009 after averaging over 8 yards per carry and more than 5 yards per catch out of the backfield.

Andrew Pina-OL/DL King County Jaguars

The addition of Pina brings size to the trenches and he will be counted on to wreak havoc along the offensive and defensive lines. As a member of the King County Jaguars of the North American Football League, Pina was selected to the 2008 Western Conference All-Star Team as an offensive Lineman.

Jeremiah Captain-DB Benedictine College/Puget Titans

Captain brings speed and athleticism to a defensive backfield that will be counted on to keep up with many of the IFL's top Wide Receivers. After becoming a second team NAIA Heart of America Athletic Conference selection in 2005, Captain took his skills to the Northwest Football League where he earned First Team All-NWFL honors at Defensive back.

Debenaire Nichols-LB N/A

Another open tryout will be conducted sometime in January for those interested players who were unable to participate last weekend. Log on to www.kentpredators.com or call the team office at 253-239-3254 for more information. The team expects to announce a Head Coach next month and will bring a total of 45 players to February's training camp.

Season Ticket Reservations Continue

Fans continue to have the opportunity to reserve Predators season tickets through the team's website, www.kentpredators.com, or by calling the Predators office at (253) 239-3254.

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