Two Rookies Assigned to Dorados
Published on February 17, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
DORADOS ASSIGNED BRENT McDONALD AND ERIC HOULE
HIDALGO, TX: February 17, 2004 â The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) were assigned fullback / linebacker Brent McDonald and kicker Eric Houle to their 2004 roster today by the af2 offices.
"I coached Brent in Houston for a brief period and he showed toughness and picked up the game very quickly," said Dorados Head Coach Gary Gussman. "If it wasn't for an unfortunate injury, he would have moved up the depth chart and could have contended for a starting role. As for Houle, one of his college coaches, Jim Kiernan, told me to look out for him a year ago, and I ended up getting to see him play last month at the Cactus Bowl. I liked his accuracy and his leg-strength."
McDonald, a 6'2" 255-pound fullback and linebacker joins the Dorados in his second attempt at professional football. He signed with the Arena Football League's (AFL) Houston ThunderBears in 1999, but suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to seeing any action. The San Antonio native was a two-time All-San Antonio first team selection (92,93) while in high school at San Antonio - Churchill, and had a senior season of 136 tackles and 11 sacks. The 28 year-old then went on to a college career at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. After redshirting in 1993, McDonald played four seasons (1994-1997) while majoring in kinesiology. As a freshman in 1994 , he recorded 37 tackles, with 4 tackles for losses of 25 yards and 2.5 sacks for another 12 yards worth of loss. McDonald obtained a starting role in midseason of 1995 and finished the season with 28 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. In 1996, he started at outside linebacker and in 1997 he collected 32 tackles (9 unassisted, 23 assists).
Houle (hôôl), a 22 year-old native of Flint, Michigan, just completed his college eligibility and will begin his pro career with the Dorados. He wrapped up a brilliant college career at Saginaw Valley State University (University Center, Michigan) last season, where studied physical education. Houle was part of the winningest graduating class in program history, as the class went 41-9 during his tenure. He was a member of two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) championship teams (2000.2003) and holds 15 school records, including the career record for points (327). Last season, Houle was a Second Team All-Conference and All-Northeast Region by Don Hansen' Football Gazette. He was third in the conference in scoring (8.3 ppg), leading the team with a single-season school record 108 points. Houle was successful on a school record 21 of 32 field goal attempts and was 45 of 46 on extra points. He earned the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Special Teams Player of the Week honors after recording a school single-game record with 14 points and 4 field goals. Houle participated in the Whataburger Cactus Bowl in Kingsville, Texas (broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest) in January and recorded a 33 & 37 yard field goal and 3 extra points. His overall college statistics include 52 of 76 on field goals and 171 extra points made. Houle attended Kearsley High School in Flint, Michigan and holds the school field goal record with a 44-yard made attempt. He was a First Team Big Nine conference member his senior year and was also a three-time All-District selection in soccer.
McDonald and Houle mark the 11th and 12th players announced to the Dorados roster, joining Marcus Bradley (def. specialist), Will Burch (QB), Spencer Conley (OL./DL), Rico Gardner (WR/LB), Abel Gonzalez (QB) Preston Hartfield (WR/DB), Raymond James (OL/DL), Jason Null (FB/LB), Manwell Talbert (WR/LB) and Anthony Terrell (WR/DB).
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