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Swashbucklers sign 14 players

March 9, 2009 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers News Release


LAKE CHARLES -Louisiana Swashbucklers head coach Darnell Lee announced Monday the signing of the season's first 14 players over the weekend. All players, some familiar and some new to the Bucs organization, will begin start preseason camp on March 28th. The Swashbucklers home opener is slated for Saturday, April 25th against the Florida Kings in the Smuggler's Den.

"We've done a great job of creating a steady program here with the Swashbucklers", said Lee, who has guided his team to a 31-1 record over the last two seasons that also included back-to-back championships. "We have a lot of players coming back that I think fans will be able to relate with. The main core of last year's team will be back, and I feel we have other talent coming in that basically will continue to help us reload rather than rebuild".

That core includes the signing of quarterback Alvin Bartie,who won league offensive MVP honors his rookie season. Bartie will have that experience and some familiar wideouts with speedster Sammy Knight, and seasoned veteran and team leader Marcus Wilridge both signing over the weekend. Lee is especially excited about the arrival of newcomer Courtney Allen to the receiving core. "Allen has Sammy Knight style speed and good hands. Once he gets a handle on the indoor game he will be a very dangerous weapon for us", boasted Lee.

Defensively the Swashbucklers signed Buck Harris and Brandon Thomas over the weekend. Harris brings back solid veteran leadership after playing both linebacker and defensive end over the last three seasons. Lee expects Harris will play both positions again this season based on the game scenario. Thomas comes back to free safety after his rookie season in '08.

Lee expects more player signing over the week, before bringing in about 25 to 30 players to training camp at the end of the month." We won't be keeping as many players on the roster during the season as we have in the past", commented Lee. "Everyone who shows up for camp this year will have a chance to make that final roster. I expect some great battles for positions with the players we expect to have by the end of the month".

Below are the signings from March 9th.

Allen, Courtney WR 5'7 180 Crowley, LA

Bartie, Alvin QB 6'2 220 Hines CC

Bennett, Thomas Trey LB 6'2 245 McNeese State University

Celestine, Lepeacous RB/LB 5'10 195 Tyler CC

Duhon, Kirt RB 5'10 190 Lake Charles, LA

Gilliam Jr., Carl LB 6'2 255 Lake Charles, LA

Harris, Richard 'Buck" LB/DL 6'2 265 McNeese State University

Johnson, Jordy RB/LB 6'0 230 McNeese State University

Jones, Deshaun DL 6'6 280 Southern University

Knight, Samuel WR/DB 5'9 185 Santa Monica CC

Thibodeaux, Melvin K 5'10 210 Lake Charles, LA

Thomas, Brandon 'BJ' DB 6'1 190 Carencro, LA

Thomas, Germanie RB 5'10 210 Lake Charles, LA

Wilridge. Marcus WR 6'0 200 University Louisiana-Lafayette

For information on Swashbucklers indoor football, call the team office Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 310-PASS (7277) or visit our website at www.labucs.com. Scaramouche!



Southern Indoor Football League Stories from March 9, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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