RUFF RIDERS WORTH PRICE OF ADMISSION
By mark rogers
March 28, 2009
To be honest, I didn't know what to think when I heard about Abilene getting an Indoor Football League team.
After Abilene's previous attempts at semi-pro or professional teams, an over-the-top eyeroll wouldn't be out of the question or unreasonable.
But I'll have to say that after checking out the roster of the team, I'm actually pretty excited about checking out the games.
The team (according to the team's website and other reliable sources) will be led by former Dallas Cowboys QB Quincy Carter. Yes, the former Georgia star who led Bill Parcells' first Cowboy team to a 10-6 record and a Wild Card Playoff loss to eventual NFC champion Carolina.
The same Quincy Carter who was dismissed from the team a few days into training camp the year after that because of a failed drug test...the beginning of the Vinny Testaverde era.
Other names on the roster you may be familiar with include former Nebraska QB Jamaal Lord, who is listed as a WR on the team roster.
Carlos Aslup backed up RB Darren Sproles at Kansas State a few years ago. He should be fun to watch.
LB Warren Lott, another Kansas State alum, signed with Clemson out of high school as one of the best defensive prospects in the country. His grades couldn't cut Clemson so he played at Georgia Military for two years and became one of the nation's top 50 JUCO prospects.
DL Fred Thrweat (pronounced Thret) played high school ball at Midland Lee before a solid career at Texas Tech. The dude is absolutely HUGE. He has the biggest calves I've ever seen with my own two eyes. He is a bona fide monster.
Then there are a handful of local college products including former ACU DL Willis Hogan - an unbelievable athlete who had a great career at ACU and can hoop with the best of them...he's a great athlete and could have easily played college basketball. He was heavily recruited out of high school in both football and basketball.
Other former ACU footballers include WR Chris Morris, offensive linemen Regis Andrez and Matt Raesner, and DB Brandon Henry.
Hardin-Simmons has a couple alums on the team as well. WR Mike Carillo and OL Glenn Revell will strut their stuff in the IFL.
As will McMurry skill players Rashon Lewis and Desmond Sanders - RB and WR respectively.
The first home game is this Monday night. Tickets are very affordable, and I'd love to see some big attendance to keep these guys around for a while.
The next home game after that is on Saturday. So let's get out there and support the Ruff Riders!
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