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Speedy Receiver Maeko Returns to Lightning Offense

February 12, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league have been assigned WR/DB Atnas Maeko by the af2 league office, Lightning head coach Doug Murray announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We were very fortunate to have Atnas available after his season in the Canadian Football League," said Murray. "He's familiar with the area and our coaching staff, and we're very blessed to have him come back and play for us."

Maeko, 27, returns for his second stint in a Lightning uniform after a breakout rookie season in 2006 when he led the Lightning in receiving yards (1,343) and receiving yards per game (111.9 - ranking second in the af2) while placing second among all Lightning receivers in receptions (80) and touchdown receptions (17), leading to postseason recognition when he was awarded the 2006 af2 International Player of the Year and all-af2 (second team) honors.

The native of Mozambique, East Africa made an instant impact on the Lightning fortunes, posting six games of 100 receiving yards or more and scored on his first play from scrimmage (40-yard touchdown reception) against Everett on May 6. Maeko tallied a season-high 189 yards with nine catches on July 22 against Bakersfield. After the season, Maeko spent a stint in the Canadian Football League last season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and was originally a draftee of the B.C. Lions in the fifth round (41st overall) in the 2002 CFL Canadian College Draft.

Maeko spent his college football career at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) where as a 2004 senior he ranked fourth in the AUS conference with 59.7 receiving yards per game, second with 19.9 yards per catch and eighth with 358 receiving yards while guiding the Huskies to a 2004 conference title (6-3 overall, 5-1 record).

Maeko is expected to team with newly-assigned quarterback Chad Elliott, who enters his first season as Lightning signal caller ranking second in af2 all-time history 17,066 career passing yards and fourth all-time with 315 touchdown passes.

The Lightning returns to play for the third season in Stockton beginning March 28, taking the road against the Tri-Cities Fever. The 2008 Lightning home opener is Saturday, April 12 against the Boise Burn, beginning at 7:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena.

Season tickets for the 2008 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.

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