Xtreme competition as Memphis kicks off 2004 training camp
March 23, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, MS- The Memphis Xplorers of the af2 will get to work tomorrow morning, as Head Coach Danton Barto and his staff begin training camp for the 2004 edition of the Xplorers football team.
The Xplorers enter this year with a talented group of players at every position. Barto believes that this group has a chance to become the best team in Xplorers history.
"I'm excited about the start of training camp this year," said Barto. "The group of guys we've got in camp this year are an exciting bunch."
With several players having had experience at both the AFL and NFL levels, Barto thinks that the competition for roster spots will be intense.
"We've got big guys who can move well on the field, and we've got talented players in general," Barto said. "It should be the most competitive training camp we've ever had."
Included in the 2004 training camp roster for the Xplorers are three players who have been involved in NFL training camps, including offensive and special teams star Kevin Prentiss. Prentiss, who was assigned to the Xplorers earlier this month, has spent time with both the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants.
Also in camp for the Xplorers are WR/DB Du'Shon Martin and FB/LB Jamaal Dinkins, who both spent time with the Washington Redskins.
The Xplorers also welcome WR/DB Joshua Long to camp. Long spent time with the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm.
There are also a large number of players with local collegiate ties. In addition to Prentiss and Dinkins, both former Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Xplorers training camp roster sports three former Memphis Tigers. WR/DB/KR Reginald Perkins, K Ryan White, and DE Shakorr Bryant all played their college ball in Memphis.
Also joining the training camp roster are WR/DB Carlos Locklyn (UT-Chattanooga), OL/DL Demond Benford (Alabama), WR/DB Shantua Ray (Alabama), FB/LB Isaiah Ross and DE Joseph Crear (Mississippi Valley State), plus many others.
The Xplorers training camp will take place at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS. The team will take to the field for the first time from 9:30-11:30 A.M. tomorrow, with a second practice session scheduled from 5:30-7:30 P.M.. The Xplorers practice schedule will remain constant throughout the first part of training camp, and all practices are open to the public and the media. For more information, contact media relations director Galen Clavio at 662-342-1755.
All sixteen regular season Xplorers football games will be heard throughout the Mid-South on SportsPlus 790 WMC. In addition, all games will be broadcast on X-Cast, a special in-house radio broadcast designed specifically for the DeSoto Civic Center. X-Cast airs on 107.9 FM, and can be received while in the DeSoto Civic Center by using a walkman or other personal radio.
The first regular-season game broadcast for the Xplorers will take place on Saturday, April 10th at 6:45 pm, as Memphis starts the season on the road while taking on the Birmingham Steeldogs.
Season ticket packages are now on sale for the 2004 af2 season. For more information, contact the Xplorers office at 662-342-1755.
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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.
