Earlier this week, the Kent Predators announced that it has signed 13 players for the 2011 IFL season, including some who were re-signed from last year’s team. The roster includes:

Jeremiah Captain, DB; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators.

Andre Jordan, WR; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators.

Morgan Rosborough OL, University of Washington; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators

James Walton, WR, Truman State University; 1^st or 2^nd team All-League four years in a row; played in three straight winning championship games, last two with Billings Outlaws; led league in catches, yards and touchdowns.

Daniel Griggs, DB, McMurry University; Two-year starter in college.

Jesse Feagin, DL, Washington State University; Big contributor to D-line at WSU.

Vaughn Lesuma, OL, Washington State University;2010 starter for Fairbanks Grizzlies (IFL).

Xavier Hicks, DB, Washington State University; One of the top DB’s at WSU.

Michael Eby, DB, Eastern Oregon; 2009 IFL Defensive Rookie of the Year; won two IFL Championships with Billings Outlaws; led team in interceptions.

Alonzo McCord, DB, Grambling State University; Great cover guy, can play space or man-to-man.

Fevaei Ahmu, DL, Washington State University; Two-year starter at WSU; quick first step with good power.

Cecil Ellis, DB, Southern Arkansas; Great cover guy, started for the Billings Outlaws.

DD Holyfield, RB, Southern Arkansas; Warrick Dunn clone, great speed, nose for end zone.

The 2010 season was the first for the Kent Predators, who joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) as an expansion team. Based in Kent, Washington, the team plays its home games at the ShoWare Center.

Other highlights:

WR Eric Taylor – 5 passes for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns
DL Armand Wallace – 4 sacks
QB Charles McCullum – 10 for 13

The team’s next home game is scheduled for Friday, April 9 at 7:30 pm at the ShoWare Center. Visit the team’s website for tickets or call the team office at 253-239-3254.

Read the full press release here.

Although defeated, the Predators played a good game with a lot of action.  They played the now 3-0 Fairbanks Grizzlies. The first half started out rough but they came back with a vengeance.  Unfortunately it was not enough, with a score of 57-42 the Predators fell short.  The Predators are currently 0-3 but with a few games behind them the chemistry is heating up and we see many great games ahead.

Contributed by Larissa Long

In addition to passing out season tickets, the festivities included a dance off, organized by Larissa Long, an iLoveKent.net contributor. The dance team performed in unison, followed by a trio of football players who attempted to best the ladies’ moves. The crowd cheered enthusiastically for both sides, but the girls were ultimately named the winners.Following the impromptu dance competition, the team introduced itself with a special intro of player #9 aka Sweet Roll. The dance team also introduced themselves to the cheers of the crowd.

With 80 to 100 people in attendance, the mood was festive and the community was supportive of the Kent Predators, an IFL expansion team to play its first home game at ShoWare Center tomorrow evening.

For more info. about the Kent Predators or to buy tickets to tomorrow night’s game, visit the team online.

“This is a great game and we can’t wait to unveil it,” Commissioner Benizio said. “We are real pleased to grow here in Kent.”

Benizio was one of half a dozen speakers at today’s press conference called by the Kent Predators to introduce Benizio, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of Football Operations Brian Brents, Head Coach William McCarthy, the Kent Predators football team and dance team.

“Welcome Kent,” Mayor Cooke said. “We are going to be a great team together. I love wolves and I love purple. We’re going to beat everybody!”

Ken Moninski, co-owner of the team, said the team is excited to call the new ShoWare Center home and welcomed everyone to come watch the fan-friendly game.

“We’re going to make the city proud,” he said. “The support here is phenomenal. We’ll have a very successful season on and off the field.”

Co-owner Kokalis agreed, citing the team’s commitment to the City of Kent and his enthusiasm about the staff, players, team and community partnerships.

“We’re going to make Kent the best community in the state of Washington,” Kokalis added.

Brents, who took the El Paso Generals to a 12 and 2 season in 2009, serves as the Kent Predators VP of Football Operations. He, too, showed his support of the team and community.

“This is exciting, y’all!”

One of Brents’ first tasks was to hire head coach William McCarthy, who previously served as assistant coach to the El Paso Generals. McCarthy said the community would love the fast-paced game and encouraged the crowd to attend the team’s first practice during training camp this Sunday at Wilson Playfields (132nd and 248th on Kent’s East Hill).

Defensive back Kevin Jones, who played football for Kentwood High School, said he is anxious to start the season.

“We’re playing this game not just for ourselves but for the whole community,” Jones said. “I’m glad to be home!”

The team’s first game is an away game on February 28 against the Billings Outlaws, the 2009 defending champions of the United Bowl. The Predators’ first home game will be at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.

“We’d like to put a sellout here,” Kokalis said.

For more information about the Kent Predators, visit the team online or contact Jim Granacker, VP of operations, at 253-239-3254.

Kent Predators Receiver Eric "Shampoo" Taylor and Mayor Suzette Cooke

]]> http://www.ilovekent.net/2010/02/12/ifl-commissioner-tommy-benizio-kicks-off-2010-season-at-kent-predators-press-conference/feed/ 0 http://www.ilovekent.net/2010/02/11/ifl-commissioner-benizio-to-kick-off-ifl-season-212-in-kent/ http://www.ilovekent.net/2010/02/11/ifl-commissioner-benizio-to-kick-off-ifl-season-212-in-kent/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:19:52 +0000 DanaLovesKent http://www.ilovekent.net/?p=2853 In a press release from Jim Granacker, director of operations for the Kent Predators, the Kent Predators announced that the community and media are invited to attend a press conference this Friday, February 12 at ShoWare Center to meet members of the front office and coaching staff, including team owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of football operations and Predators head coach William McCarthy. The group will discuss their first season which kicks off with its first home game on Friday, March 12. In addition, Mayor Suzette Cooke will be available to answer questions regarding how the Predators’ presence in Kent will affect the community.

Also making an appearance is IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio who will officially kick-off the league’s season tomorrow.

“Heading into the league’s second season, the IFL has quickly established itself as the nation’s premier indoor football league,” he stated in the February 10 press release.  “I am very excited to come to Kent to announce the kickoff of the 2010 campaign and to watch the Predators compete in our Pacific North Division this year.”

The Indoor Football League (IFL) was started in 2008 from a merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football Association. Two years later, the IFL consists of 25 teams in 13 states in six divisions. The IFL season is 14-games long and the season’s regular schedule runs from March through June. The season ends with playoffs in August, followed by the IFL United Bowl.

Refreshments will be served at 2:30 pm as informal announcements are made. The question and answer session will begin promptly at 3:00 pm.

For more information, contact Jim Granacker at 253-239-3254 or via email.

McCarthy’s first task is to assemble a roster of 45-men to attend training camp which begins in February. From that group, the final team will be selected. The team plays its first IFL game at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12 against the Fairbanks Grizzlies.

For more information about the Kent Predators, visit the team online.

Tickets range in price from $14.50/ticket for end zone seating to $42.00 for platinum seating. Group tickets prices for 10 or more people are also available. For info. on individual or group season tickets, call the management office at 253-239-3254.

Monday evening the Kent Predators will also host a special “Pick Your Seat” night from 6 to 9 pm. Attendees can meet players who have been signed already and will receive free hot dogs and sodas.

Kent Predators is one of the newest teams to join the Indoor Football League which holds a 14-game regular season schedule from March through June.

The Kent Predators have announced the signing of 15 players. The group of players selected, headlined by former Western Washington University and Tri-Cities Fever Defensive back Kevin Jones and Portland State Linebacker Keista “KJ” McCrae, proves the team will have a strong emphasis on stopping their opponents attack this season.  Eleven of the fifteen players signed are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, which is no surprise considering coaching consultant Mike Davis’s pedigree.  Last season he was the Defensive Coordinator for a RiverCity Rage team who was one win away from winning the first ever IFL United Bowl Championship.  Joining the team for the 2010 season are:

Kevin Jones- DB        Tri-Cities Fever/Western Washington University

Jones heads to the Predators after a brief stint in 2009 with the Tri-Cities Fever, formally of the AF2.  He saw action in one game after signing late in the season.  As a local star at Western Washington University, Jones was a standout defensive back while also seeing time on Special Teams as a kick returner.  He had perhaps his best season in 2005 where played in all ten games registering 33 tackles (27 solo), 7 pass breakups, 1 pass interception, 1 fumble recovery and 2 forced fumbles. He also returned 8 kickoffs for 128 yards.  An Achilles injury forced him to miss the 2006 and 2007 seasons.  As a senior in 2008 he played in ten games, totaling 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, an interception and 2 pass breakups.

Keista “KJ” McCrae- LB       Portland State

McCrae joins the Predators for his first season of professional football after three seasons at Portland State University.  His senior season for the Vikings in 2008 got him multiple looks from the professional ranks as he totaled 75 tackles, 12 of them for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.  The two-time All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention finished his collegiate career with 108.5 tackles (73 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception.

H. Mark Onibokun-DB    Boise State

After two seasons of Junior College, Onibokun was heavily recruited by many major Division I collegiate programs.  He committed to Boise State where he was a member of the 2003 Broncos team that won the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, defeating TCU 34-31.  While playing mostly on Offense and Special Teams he finished his collegiate career with 12 catches for 126 while also returning 15 kick for 382 yards for an average of 25.5 yards per return.  On defense he recorded one interception in a game in 2004 versus Hawaii.

Broderick Hutchins-DB  Concordia (WI)/Milwaukee Bonecrushers

Hutchins joins the Predators with prior indoor football experience after playing in four games with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2008.  That season he totaled 20 tackles and 1 interception in four games.  In two seasons as a defensive back at Concordia University from 2005-2006, he picked off 13 passes and accumulated 181 return yards off those takeaways.

Blaine McConnell-S/WR U. of Idaho

Tony Grote-OL/DL  Tacoma Cobras

Grote comes to Kent fresh off his dominating performance in the Professional Developmental Football League.  As a member of the Tacoma Cobras, Grote was named as the 2009 PDFL Offensive Lineman of the Year.  He was also named to the First Team All-PDFL Offense as a Center for a Cobras team that won the first ever PDFL Championship.

Andre “Piper” Gordon-WR   Renton Ravens

Following a 9-3 season in the Cascade Football League that culminated in a Championship berth, Jordan joins the Predators with a reputation for being a big play Wide Receiver.  The First Team CFL All-Conference member had a league long 70 yard catch and totaled eight touchdowns during the 2009 season.

Marcus Reed-RB    Tacoma Cobras

Reed follows former teammate Tony Grote to the Predators from the Tacoma Cobras of the PDFL.  And much like his former battering mate, he too collected some post-season hardware.  Reed was named the 2009 PDFL Running back of the Year and was also selected to the First Team All-PDFL Offensive team.  The Cobras relied heavily on Reed down the stretch which allowed them to become the first ever PDFL Champions in 2009.

Toby Smith-LB   Seattle Stallions

Like Gordon and McGee, Smith comes to the Predators from the Cascade Football League.  During the 2009 season he helped the Stallions to a perfect 9-0 regular season record as an anchor on defense.  He totaled 38 tackles, 9 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions which he returned for touchdowns.

Marcus Whittaker-S   Tacoma Cobras

In addition to Grote and Reed, Safety Marcus Whittaker comes to the Predators after a season with the Tacoma Cobras of the Professional Developmental Football League.  Whittaker was a central figure for a defensive unit that defeated the Bellingham Blitz 36-31 in the PDFL Championship.

Damien Coaxum-RB   College of the Redwoods

A bruising style runner out of the College of the Redwoods, Coaxum figures to be a touchdown threat near the goal line.  During his final collegiate season in 2001 he ran for 559 yards on 102 carries with 8 touchdowns (5.4 yard avg.).  He also caught 35 passes for 599 yards and 4 scores.

William McGee-RB   Renton Ravens

McGee joins former teammate Andre “Piper” Gordon from the Renton Ravens of the Cascade Football League to compete for the starting Running back spot for Kent.  He was a CFL All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2009 after averaging over 8 yards per carry and more than 5 yards per catch out of the backfield.

Andrew Pina-OL/DL  King County Jaguars

The addition of Pina brings size to the trenches and he will be counted on to wreak havoc along the offensive and defensive lines.  As a member of the King County Jaguars of the North American Football League, Pina was selected to the 2008 Western Conference All-Star Team as an offensive Lineman.

Jeremiah Captain-DB   Benedictine College/Puget Titans

Captain brings speed and athleticism to a defensive backfield that will be counted on to keep up with many of the IFL’s top Wide Receivers.  After becoming a second team NAIA Heart of America Athletic Conference selection in 2005, Captain took his skills to the Northwest Football League where he earned First Team All-NWFL honors at Defensive back.

Debenaire Nichols-LB    N/A

Another open tryout will be conducted sometime in January for those interested players who were unable to participate last weekend.  Log on to www.kentpredators.com or call the team office at 253-239-3254 for more information.  The team expects to announce a Head Coach next month and will bring a total of 45 players to February’s training camp.

The Kent Predators are an expansion franchise playing in the Indoor Football League. The team’s season will kick off in March 2010. The Predators organization is committed to actively participating in the Kent community. The team will call the ShoWare Center its official home.  For more information on the team, visit www.kentpredators.com.