Slade and Burchette join Prowlers
May 22, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Greensboro Prowlers News Release
GREENSBORO, N.C âWhen the Greensboro Prowlers take to the field against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, they will have a new look to the roster. On Thursday, the arenafootball2 office assigned three players to the roster, as well as completing an earlier trade with the Macon Knights, that will give the Prowlers a different offensive appeal.
Former Appalachian State Mountaineers Rashad Slade, who will appear as Offensive Specialist, and quarterback Joe Burchette. Joe Burchette orchestrated the Mountaineers offense from 1999 to 2002, where he started in 31 of the 41 games in which he appeared. He ranks as the Appalachian State career leader in completions (544), passing yards (6,609), and passing touchdowns (50). Burchette's best statistical season occurred in 2000, when he completed 187 of 316 passes (59.2%), seven interceptions, for 2,364 yards and 16 touchdowns. During the 2000 campaign when facing Western Carolina, Burchette had his best game when he went 25 of 37, two interceptions, for 379 yards and four touchdowns.
As for Slade, he is also a four-year veteran of the Appalachian State program, and a graduate of Reidsville High School. He appeared in 44 games during his career, where he finished with 111 receptions for 1,437 yards and eight touchdowns. His best statistical season was his senior campaign, where he finished second on the team with 43 grabs for 534 yards. Slade was a significant part of the offense that made a push to the national semifinal, as he made 15 catches for 160 yards during the playoff run.
The Prowlers were also assigned Livingstone College alumni Shannon Gainey, a wide receiver/defensive back, that appeared in one game last season. Gainey joins a defensive backfield that already includes former Blue Bear teammates Michael Posey and Franklin Rhames. As a senior in 2001, Gainey amassed 644 receiving yards, 471 kick return yards, and 80 via punt return for the 1,173 yards and finished highest on the team. Greensboro also sent quarterback Kenton Evans to the Macon Knights, completing an earlier deal that brought offensive/defensive lineman Karlton Thomas to the Prowlers during training camp.
Following a three game road trip that included the Cape Fear Wildcats, the defending af2 champion Peoria Pirates, and this week's opponent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, the Prowlers return home on Friday, May 30th when they face the Charleston SwampFoxes.
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