Rebels Preparing for Opening Night
February 23, 2006 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Raleigh Rebels News Release
RALEIGH NC - As the Raleigh Rebels of the American Indoor Football League broke camp on Sunday they had just one focus: the Carolina Ghostriders. "Everything we have worked so hard for as an organization and a team comes down to just 60 minutes on the field", remarked Head Coach Steven G. Folmar. "It has been tough getting to where we are right now. Now we get to see if it all was worth it."
One look at the Rebels roster will give you the key word for the organization: Defense. The defensive line includes two NC State Grad's who saw NFL action with Terrance Chapman, who spent time in camp with the Cleveland Browns and Shawn Price, State's sack leader in 2002, who also saw action with the Carolina Panther's. They will be joined by former fellow Stater Allen Halloway. The linebacking corps is lead by John Williamson (ECU) who returns a little closer to home after playing with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs of the arena football league 2 last year. He will be backed up by David Coleman (Shaw) and John Williams (Methodist College), who was a Rebel in 2005.
The secondary is probably the strongest area for the Rebels, as North Carolina A&T alums Montrail Pittman and Eddie Ravenell will be ball-hawking in the defensive backfield. Pittman played with the Carolina Cobra's in the Arena Football League in 2004 and spent the 2005 season with the South Georgia Wildcats. Ravenell is a key returner from the 2005 Rebel's squad and will also be joined by Ronnie Nunn (Fayetteville State), who is also returning to the Rebels.
The offensive line is anchored by big man Orlando Adwaters (6'3, 318, Duke) who spent time under current AIFL Executive Director Gary Tufford, when Tufford was Head Coach of the Greensboro Prowlers in arena 2. He will be joined by Jason Hall (ECU) and Terrance White (Sacred Heart) at the Center spot and Isaac Mooring returns to play both sides of the ball from the University of North Carolina.
The receivers group is an experienced one led by Lavel Bailey, who holds the career receiving mark at Akron University, and who spent a season with the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. Also on board is former Ghostrider Sammy Henderson (NC A&T), who was near the top of the league in all purpose yards last year. He will be joined by Corey Peterson (Nassau College), one of the key leaders from the 2005 team. Backing them up will be former Elon College standouts Eddie Bell and Rashaud Palmer.
Running back chores will be held down by Charles Washington (North Alabama) who will be returning at Fullback and Cotray Jackson (NC State) with be the starting tailback.
Quarterback is still a question mark for the Rebels with Folmar giving former Wooster College QB David Malino the starting reigns with Barry Marrow, the owner and quarterback for the Triangle City Rattlers Semi-professional team backing him up. Both and strong-armed and smart, but neither has any indoor experience. Kicking duties will be handled by Brian Bowers, who backed up current Carolina Panther's kicker John Kasay at Georgia.
Starting off the season on the injured reserve list for the Rebels will be former UNC standout Kory Bailey (deep hamstring strain), NS State alum Jeremy Mebane (Hamstring), former Rhode Island DB Herbert Butler (MCL Strain) and three-year starting Tailback at the University of Wyoming Derek Armah (hamstring).
Come join us for the homecoming of the Raleigh Rebels at Dorton Arena starting February 25, 2006. The Rebel's open the season against the Carolina Ghostriders. Fans interested in tickets can call E-Tix at 1-800-514-3849 or click on the link at the Rebel's website at www.raleighrebels.com. You can also contact the Rebels at 252-230-2944 now for sponsorship or public appearance opportunities.
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