Post by KING 7 on Jul 29, 2008 0:30:16 GMT -5
By Shawn Singleton
Morning News
ssingleton@florencenews.com
Published: July 28, 2008
FLORENCE — Despite rolling past Wyoming on Friday night for the American Indoor Football Association championship, the Florence Phantoms weren’t finished collecting trophies.
Omar Jacobs won the league’s MVP and Eastern Conference player of the year honors. The former Bowling Green standout threw for 70 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions en route to leading the Phantoms to its first AIFA title.
“(Winning MVP and conference player awards) is quite a compliment,” Jacobs said. “To play your first year in arena football and win those awards is a huge honor.”
Jacobs wasn’t the only member of the team to be honored with hardware. Coach Tavares Bowens was named AIFA coach of the year, and Barbara Spigner was named owner of the year.
Bennie King was named general manager of the year. After leading Lakeland to an AIFA title, King made the necessary moves that turned Florence from a team on the brink of extinction to league champions.
“Coach Bowens came in at a time when we needed a coach. (Spigner) took over with no real ownership experience, and she put the team together that brought a title to Florence,” King said. “I am very fortunate to receive this honor. This was a banner year for all of us.”
Nine players were named Eastern Conference all-stars and will be heading to Harrisburg, Pa., for the All-Star game, to be played on Aug.16. Including Jacobs, who was named the starter at quarterback, offensive lineman Junior Louissant and Ryan Beneby were named to the squad.
Jacobs’ two main receiving targets, A.J. Bennett and Tres Moses will join the other Phantoms on the offensive side of the ball.
“We’ve been blessed to win a title and make the all-star team,” said Louissaint, who was named an all-star for the second consecutive season. “It is something I would like to experience again.”
Defensively, Cory Groover is heading to his second all-star game. In last season’s contest, the former Hannah-Pamplico and Clemson standout racked up five sacks of Huntington’s Tyvon Green.
Leonard Moore will join Groover on the defensive line as an at-large selection, and Larry Thompson and Otheese Wells will man the secondary.
“I’m thrilled for these guys,” King said. “It shows the dedication and hard work they put in toward winning a championship.”
“To sweep all of the Eastern Conference awards and have eight all-stars is a testament to all our hard work, from the players to the front office,” Jacobs said.
Groover arrested
Groover was arrested and booked into the Florence County Detention Center late Sunday night on a family court bench warrant. He was released Monday afternoon.
“It’s something that’s unfortunate,” Florence general manager Bennie King said. “I don’t have all of the details, but we will give Cory all the support he needs. He is a class person, and we are behind him 100 percent.”
Attempts to reach Groover were unsuccessful.
Morning News
ssingleton@florencenews.com
Published: July 28, 2008
FLORENCE — Despite rolling past Wyoming on Friday night for the American Indoor Football Association championship, the Florence Phantoms weren’t finished collecting trophies.
Omar Jacobs won the league’s MVP and Eastern Conference player of the year honors. The former Bowling Green standout threw for 70 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions en route to leading the Phantoms to its first AIFA title.
“(Winning MVP and conference player awards) is quite a compliment,” Jacobs said. “To play your first year in arena football and win those awards is a huge honor.”
Jacobs wasn’t the only member of the team to be honored with hardware. Coach Tavares Bowens was named AIFA coach of the year, and Barbara Spigner was named owner of the year.
Bennie King was named general manager of the year. After leading Lakeland to an AIFA title, King made the necessary moves that turned Florence from a team on the brink of extinction to league champions.
“Coach Bowens came in at a time when we needed a coach. (Spigner) took over with no real ownership experience, and she put the team together that brought a title to Florence,” King said. “I am very fortunate to receive this honor. This was a banner year for all of us.”
Nine players were named Eastern Conference all-stars and will be heading to Harrisburg, Pa., for the All-Star game, to be played on Aug.16. Including Jacobs, who was named the starter at quarterback, offensive lineman Junior Louissant and Ryan Beneby were named to the squad.
Jacobs’ two main receiving targets, A.J. Bennett and Tres Moses will join the other Phantoms on the offensive side of the ball.
“We’ve been blessed to win a title and make the all-star team,” said Louissaint, who was named an all-star for the second consecutive season. “It is something I would like to experience again.”
Defensively, Cory Groover is heading to his second all-star game. In last season’s contest, the former Hannah-Pamplico and Clemson standout racked up five sacks of Huntington’s Tyvon Green.
Leonard Moore will join Groover on the defensive line as an at-large selection, and Larry Thompson and Otheese Wells will man the secondary.
“I’m thrilled for these guys,” King said. “It shows the dedication and hard work they put in toward winning a championship.”
“To sweep all of the Eastern Conference awards and have eight all-stars is a testament to all our hard work, from the players to the front office,” Jacobs said.
Groover arrested
Groover was arrested and booked into the Florence County Detention Center late Sunday night on a family court bench warrant. He was released Monday afternoon.
“It’s something that’s unfortunate,” Florence general manager Bennie King said. “I don’t have all of the details, but we will give Cory all the support he needs. He is a class person, and we are behind him 100 percent.”
Attempts to reach Groover were unsuccessful.
