Rome's young lineman Purnell a force
Published on July 28, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Rome Renegades News Release
ROME, Ga. - At any level of football, it's the job of the coaches to improve a young man's ability to play the game and possibly move him to the next level. In the case of lineman Prentice Purnell, it is pretty obvious that the young man out of the University of West Georgia will find that opportunity right around the corner.
Purnell and the Rome Renegades (10-7) were about to board a plane to the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. The Atlantic Conference champions will play the Tri-Cities Fever (12-5) Saturday night in Kennewick, Washington, in the National Football Leagues Indoor Bowl V.
"He just plays his guts out for us," said Rome head coach David Humphreys, who brought Purnell to the Renegades on the recommendation of a couple former of West Georgia players, quarterback Bo Bartik and linebacker Chancey Simmons. "He came in and solidified the middle of the defense."
DEFENSE SOLID IN MIDDLE
After a team-high 64 points were allowed in the third game of the season at the Everett Hawks, Rome settled in with Purnell at defensive tackle. Purnell's presence, since coming on to the team, the Renegades have chiseled out a 9-5 record. In his first game at Daytona Beach, the fourth game of the season, Purnell had a sack for a five yard loss and a pass break up.
"I just go at the game hard," said the 23-year-old Purnell. "I love the game and despite playing defense most of the time, I did play both ways in high school." That was at Bleckley county High in Cochran, Georgia, where he was named 4-AA Defensive Player of the Year.
He came to West Georgia after two years at NAIA Pikeville (Ky.) and in his two years with the Braves collected 82 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. He had the most tackles for a lineman (43, 23 solo)) during his senior season at UWG with three sacks.
'EXTRA STRONG LINEMAN'
"He's a very strong player and he puts pressure on the quarterback by backing the center up into him," said Humphreys of the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Purnell. "He's a young guy that moves well."
With Rome, Purnell totaled 35 total tackles, 23 unassisted, and a team-high nine sacks for 64 yards in losses. This got him named to the NIFL All-Star team that will play August 6 in Odessa, Texas. He had another 1.5 tackles for another three yards in losses.
"My goal was to improve the defense and Purnell has certainly helped us do that," said an elated Humphreys In the playoffs, the Renegades have seen Purnell double-team to the point where his other teammates have stepped in to get the job done. Eugene Phillips has the linemen-high of 15 total tackles (10 solo) in the post-season play of three games, so Prentice waits his turn but does have a half-tackle for a loss and eight total take downs.
TOTAL TEAM CHEMISTRY
"Everyone likes everyone on this team," said Purnell, who in one high school game had 21 total tackles. "The chemistry is great on the team. I think that is what makes us so good. We've been working hard and sticking together."
Because of his size, his youth and his quickness, Humphreys said, "He should get an NFL tryout, but I'm sure because he can play both ways, the AFL will look at him. I just think he's extra strong and will be at the next level. You hate to lose a guy of this caliber, but it's my job also to get these players in a position to move up."
Humphreys said he wasn't pleased at first when Purnell was left off the 2005 NIFL All-Star list when it first came out. "It was a mistake when the list first came out and it was just an oversight." said Humphreys.
"I know we are going to get it done," said an excited Purnell before leaving on Thursday. "This team has achieved a lot."
National Indoor Football League Stories from July 28, 2005
- NIFL championship coaches on "Under the Roof" this week - OSC Original by OurSports Central press release
- Indoor Bowl V drawing large crowds and numerous scouts - Rome Renegades
- Rome's young lineman Purnell a force - Rome Renegades
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