Thunder To Host Final Home Game Saturday
May 16, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Muskegon Thunder News Release
MUSKEGON - The Muskegon Thunder (5-3) welcomes the Milwaukee Bonecrushers (0-8) to L.C. Walker Arena for its final home game of the 2008 regular season on Saturday night. Kickoff for the Continental Indoor Football League game is set for 7:30 p.m. E.S.T.
On March 29th, Muskegon traveled to U.S. Cellular Arena and defeated Milwaukee 60-35. Thunder quarterback Dan Richard passed for 257 yards and 6 touchdowns and rushed for a score as well. Running back Preston Garris scored three times and receiver Tremaine Rembert added a pair of TD's. Linebacker Tim Gough scooped up a fumble and ran it back 49 yards to paydirt while lineman Eric Malloy also recorded a defensive touchdown in the Great Lakes Conference victory.
Shortly after that game, Milwaukee made sweeping changes to its front office staff and playing roster. The Bonecrushers' 0-3 start left ownership no choice but to change directions as Michael Tumbleson replaced Gilbert Brown as coach followed by a dismantling of the on-field personnel. The team's roster was still in flux this week.
Muskegon has also seen a roster shakeup since these two teams last met, losing linebacker Mitch Cumings, lineman MarQuise Applewhite and defensive back James Poole to season-ending injuries and lineman Ruben Esparza to retirement. Helping fill the void are three recent signees who all spent time at Grand Valley State and all bring national championship swagger from their time with the Division II powerhouse.
Sean Stevens, a 6-foot-4, 270 pound two-way lineman out of Grand Ledge High signed just before the game at Kalamazoo. The 22-year-old Lansing native paid immediate dividends, scoring a TD on offense and recording a tackle for loss on defense. He'll wear number 40.
Derrick Phillips (6-0, 215), a multi-positional athlete, inked with the team last week and played a key role in the Thunder's 55-42 win at Flint. The 24-year-old Chicago native scored twice on three carries and notched four tackles and two pass break ups at cornerback. He will don the number 5 jersey.
Drew Burton (6-3, 295) also signed on the dotted line last week and made his debut against the Phantoms. The 25-year-old two-way lineman stepped in nicely for the injured Dan Kliphuis at guard, catching a pass. The Moscow, Idaho native, who also lined up at fullack in short yardage situations, will wear number 86.
Below is the updated Thunder roster:
2008 Muskegon Thunder Roster
(Updated 5/15/08)
1 SIMPSON, Maurice* DB 6-0 195 Thiel (Pennsylvania)
2 GARRIS, Preston RB 5-9 190 Grand Valley State
3 FERGUSON, Ryan* QB 6-0 200 Albion
4 GILLS, Richard* WR 6-4 225 Northwood
5 PHILLIPS, Derrick ATH 6-0 215 Grand Valley State
6 BRENNAN, Mike K 6-2 185 Baker (Kansas)
7 THOCHER, Dominic DB 6-1 185 Ferris State
8 The FANS*
10 GOUGH, Tim LB/DB 6-0 235 Albion
11 REMBERT, Tremaine WR 6-2 196 Cornerstone
17 RICHARD, Dan QB 6-3 215 Ferris State
18 WRUBLE, Nathan* WR 6-7 240 Ferris State
19 TERRELL, Tony WR 6-7 235 Ferris State
21 HORN, Jon DB 5-11 190 Northwood
24 MOORE, Ryan RB 5-6 170
27 SULLIVAN, Corey* DB 5-11 200
36 PRINGLE, Adam* DL 6-0 272 Albion
40 STEVENS, Sean OL/DL 6-4 270 Grand Valley State
49 MALLOY, Eric DL 6-3 260 Grand Rapids CC
55 WILLIAMS, Alonzo DL/LB 6-1 240 Northwood
69 BENTZ, Ernest DL 6-5 270
72 KLIPHUIS, Dan OL 6-3 365
77 DUSENDANG, Lance OL 6-4 320
85 BOLLES, Matt* OL 6-5 300 Eastern Michigan
86 BURTON, Drew OL/DL/FB 6-3 295 Grand Valley State
* denotes returning player from 2007 roster
Head Coach: Shane Fairfield
Offensive Coordinator: Brent White
Defensive Coordinator: Ryan Hodges
Offensive Line Coach: Jason Schmiedeknecht
Assistant Coach: Bill Bouwman
Equipment Manager: Ted Bartholomew
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from May 16, 2008
- Thunder To Host Final Home Game Saturday - Muskegon Thunder
- Freedom WR/KR Adrian Reese Wins CIFL Special Teams Player of the Week Award - Fort Wayne Freedom
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