Wild Re-signs Two and Makes One New Addition
January 30, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Alaska Wild News Release
Alaska Professional Sports, Inc. and the Alaska Wild are proud to announce Wide Receiver Nian Taylor (#7), and Defensive Back Dawon Gentry have signed contracts to play for the Alaska Wild during the 2008 season. The Wild also signed newcomer Defensive Lineman Joseph Hobley to play in 2008.
Last year with the Wild Wide Receiver Nian Taylor (#7) was a key player on offense. Fans enjoyed his gamesmanship and flare for the sport of indoor football. In 13 games for the Wild, Taylor produced 56 catches for 518 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Taylor also made a couple plays as a Kickoff Returner during the 2007 season and played some defense with 7 tackles for the season at Defensive Back. Taylor is well known in the world's professional Indoor and Arena football. Taylor played on multiple Arena Football League teams; some of the teams include the Arizona Rattlers, New York Dragons, Hawaii Islanders, Spokane Shock and Bakersfield Blitz. During his Arena football stops, Taylor garnered many 'Player of the Week' honors. Taylor was a member of the Washington State University Cougars football program and played under the great football mind of Head Coach Mike Price. Taylor was on the 1997-1998 Cougar team that made it to the Rose Bowl with a strong receiving core, which was quarterbacked by Ryan Leaf. "I knew that Nian wanted to come back to Alaska and play for the Wild in 2008," said Alaska Wild Head Coach Hans Deemer. "We are looking for Nian to make big plays and we're glad he has the experience to help our squad."
Defensive Back Dawon Gentry (6'0ft, 200lbs.) is coming back to Alaska in 2008 determined to contribute on the field. Gentry only played in two games last year and he wants to show Wild fans this year that his defensive skills are not something to be missed. In just 2 games at Defensive Back, Gentry had 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble. Dawon is also a talent on special teams where he averages about 20 yards at Kick Returner for the Wild. Gentry is an Intense Football League veteran and has been named to the IFL all-star team when he played for the CenTex Barracudas before coming to the Wild last year. Gentry made a few college stops before his days in the IFL. Gentry played college football for Texas A&M and Abilene Christian University. At Texas A&M, Gentry saw time as a return specialist and was a top 5 Punt Returner for the Big 12 conference. Gentry transferred to Abilene Christian University from Texas A&M and became a two-time first-team all-Lone Star conference member and a Division II all-star representative. Gentry played his high school football in Denison, TX, and was an multiple all-state and all- district Defensive Back selection. "This season we have so much skill at Defensive Back. Having Dawon adds to our arsenal and that's a bad thing for the other IFL teams," said Alaska Wild Defensive Coordinator Abe Hernandez.
Defensive Lineman Joseph Hobley (6'5ft, 255lbs.) is bringing his size, strength and speed to the Wild for 2008. Hobley recently played football for the Valley Trojans of the LaBelle Community Football League. Last year, Hobley was an LCFL all-star defensive lineman with fifteen sacks for the year and three blocked kicks. Hobley played college ball at Moorpark College and Pasadena City College. At Moorpark, Hobley had 50 tackles and 10 sacks. At Pasadena City College, Hobley had 40 tackles and 8 sacks. In high school, Hobley's senior season was shortened by injuries, but he was still able to produce 65 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He was also named defensive lineman of the year.
The Alaska Wild is part of the Intense Football League (IFL). Founded in 2003, the IFL consists of a record nine professional indoor football teams, three of which are located outside of Texas, the Louisiana Swashbucklers of Lake Charles, the Alaska Wild of Anchorage, Alaska and the Fairbanks Grizzlies of Fairbanks, Alaska. Texas teams include the CenTex Barracudas of Belton, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Odessa Roughnecks, San Angelo Stampede Express, Katy Ruff Riders, and Frisco Thunder.
For more information on the IFL, visit www.intensefootball league.net.
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Intense Football League Stories from January 30, 2008
- Wild Re-signs Two and Makes One New Addition - Alaska Wild
- Hammerheads sign two - Corpus Christi Hammerheads
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