QB Steve Bellisari Signs With New Orleans Voodoo
October 11, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
The Manchester Wolves are proud to announce that the third player from their 2006 team to move up to the ranks of the Arena Football League is Steve Bellisari, their starting quarterback. Bellisari has signed a contract to play for the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League.
Bellisari (6'1, 222), a rookie from Ohio State University, had a stellar 2006 season with the Wolves, in which he led the Wolves to an impressive 5-1 record as their starting quarterback. In five regular season games Bellisari completed 81-of-123 ( 65.9%) passes for 984 yards and 25 touchdowns; he was 4-0 as a starter. In the Wolves' two post-season contests Bellisari completed 34-of-62 (54.8%) passes for 554 yards and 12 touchdowns; he was 1-1. The Boca Raton, FL native also contributed on special teams with 10.5 tackles before locking up the starting quarterback position in July.
"Steve's move into the starting role was the major reason we made the playoffs, leading us to wins in five straight games," said Wolves' Head Coach Ben Bennett. "My guess is that he's going to contribute to that team in more ways than just as a quarterback."
The left-handed gunslinger, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League in 2002, started 32 of the 35 games he played in as quarterback for the Buckeyes (1998-2001), compiling 5,878 yards for 35 touchdowns, while rushing for 825 yards and five touchdowns. In 14 games as a defensive safety during the 1998 and 1999 seasons Bellisari collected 24 tackles, one interception and one blocked kick.
"I'm ready to make the most of this opportunity and to be a part of this special season, their first after taking a year off due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina," said Bellisari, who was on the AFL's Kansas City Brigade practice squad before joining the Wolves in May. "I'd like to thank the Wolves and Coach Bennett for giving me the game experience that I needed to get to this level. My career is headed in the right direction and I hope it continues to go that way."
Bellisari's promotion marks the third consecutive starting quarterback to make the jump from the Manchester Wolves to an AFL team. In 2004 starting quarterback Chris Sanders made the first splash when he signed with the Orlando Predators (Sanders now plays for the AFL's Kansas City Brigade). Jake Eaton soon followed suit in 2005 after an ALL af2 Second-Team season, as he too signed with the Orlando Predators (he is currently a free agent).
Don't miss another exciting year of Manchester Wolves football in 2007! For information on season tickets, or merchandise, fans can contact the Wolves at 603.627.WOLF (9653) or visit them online at www.manchesterwolves.com.
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