Post by lionsroar on Mar 7, 2009 6:39:29 GMT -5
www.scnow.com/scp/sports/minors/minors_football/article/phantoms_begin_title_defense/37329/
By Shawn Singleton
Published: March 7, 2009
FLORENCE — The last time the Florence Phantoms took the field turf at Florence Civic Center, they pounded Wyoming into total submission on their way to holding the American Indoor Football Association championship.
When the Phantoms take the field against the Carolina Speed tonight in their season opener, they will enter as the hunted instead of the hunters.
The Speed, having moved to Charlotte during the offseason, will have a retooled team under the direction of AIFA veteran coach Ramon Robinson. The Speed will look to South Florida quarterback Ronnie Banks to direct the attack. Carolina recently signed a trio of wide receivers to bolster the team’s passing game.
“We’re playing with a bullseye on our chests,” Phantoms vice president of player personnel Bennie King said. “People respect the quality of football we played last year, and a lot of teams want to knock us off.”
Lost stars
Florence will head into tonight’s game without several members of last year’s team.
Quarterback and AIFA MVP Omar Jacobs has moved on, as has defensive stars Cory Groover, Rob Potchney and Nick Freet.
“We’re not trying to replace Omar. You can’t,” King said. “We have (former Darlington High School and USC standout) Brian Scott, who is a veteran in this league, and Corey Mayfield, who’s new to this game.”
The squad does return its starting offensive line and three of its offensive playmakers in running back Jonathan Wedlock and wide receivers A.J. Bennett and Tres Moses.
Defensive end Leonard Moore and defensive backs Larry Thompson and Otheese Wells also return to the lineup .
“We have a lot of players that aren’t here, but we’re still here to work and get another championship,” Moore said. “We’ve got some good athletes, so it’s going to be interesting.“
New man on the sideline
The resignation of coach Tavares Bowens gave King an opportunity to bring in another former Lakeland assistant, Terrell Stewart.
Stewart was a receivers coach under former Lakeland coach Teddy Keaton when the Thunderbolts won the 2007 AIFA title.
When the team suspended operations last year, Stewart moved on Huntington before arriving in Florence. He said his job is simple — to continue the success Bowens began.
“The foundation has been set by upper management,” he said. “My job is to manage the situation and simplify the system for the two new quarterbacks.”
Stewart added it would take the offense a few games to hit its stride, so the defense will have to step up in the early going.
“We’re going to let the defense carry us in the first couple of games,” he said. “Most importantly, we want to give the people of Florence a great product and another title.“
New faces on the field
The Phantoms have brought in 10 new faces on both sides of the ball. Along with Mayfield, the team has brought in three new players at wide receiver — Reggie Eubanks, Tyler Morse and Travis Lewis.
Eubanks will become the third receiver behind Moses and Bennett. The Detroit native wants to be another piece of a puzzle that leads to another title.
“My role is no different from anyone else. I’m not here to take anyone’s spot,” he said. “I’m here to add on to this championship team and help them win another one.”
Kelvin Brown will play on both sides of the ball for the Phantoms. Defensively, the team has added South Florence’s D.J. McLeod, Myrtle Beach’s Mike McCoy, linebacker Christopher Carrothers and cornerback Jevon Johnson.
All of them are thankful for an opportunity to play for a professional football team.
“(Florence) gave me a chance,” McLeod said. “All I want to do is be productive and play my game.”
“It’s a small dream come true, but it’s still a dream,” McCoy said. “Last year, I was flipping burgers.”
Carrothers took it one step further.
“I’m a quiet guy. But I want to go into the phone booth, become Superman and wreak havoc all game long,” he said. “I want to punish people for underestimating our defense.”
PHANTOMS SCHEDULE
Today vs. Carolina
March 13 vs. Greenville
March 28 vs. Columbus
April 4 Greenville
April 11 at Greenville
April 18 at Carolina
April 24 at Baltimore
May 2 vs. Canton
May 16 vs. Fayetteville
May 30 at Columbus
June 6 at Erie
June 13 vs. Harrisburg
June 19 at Columbus
June 27 at Fayetteville
By Shawn Singleton
Published: March 7, 2009
FLORENCE — The last time the Florence Phantoms took the field turf at Florence Civic Center, they pounded Wyoming into total submission on their way to holding the American Indoor Football Association championship.
When the Phantoms take the field against the Carolina Speed tonight in their season opener, they will enter as the hunted instead of the hunters.
The Speed, having moved to Charlotte during the offseason, will have a retooled team under the direction of AIFA veteran coach Ramon Robinson. The Speed will look to South Florida quarterback Ronnie Banks to direct the attack. Carolina recently signed a trio of wide receivers to bolster the team’s passing game.
“We’re playing with a bullseye on our chests,” Phantoms vice president of player personnel Bennie King said. “People respect the quality of football we played last year, and a lot of teams want to knock us off.”
Lost stars
Florence will head into tonight’s game without several members of last year’s team.
Quarterback and AIFA MVP Omar Jacobs has moved on, as has defensive stars Cory Groover, Rob Potchney and Nick Freet.
“We’re not trying to replace Omar. You can’t,” King said. “We have (former Darlington High School and USC standout) Brian Scott, who is a veteran in this league, and Corey Mayfield, who’s new to this game.”
The squad does return its starting offensive line and three of its offensive playmakers in running back Jonathan Wedlock and wide receivers A.J. Bennett and Tres Moses.
Defensive end Leonard Moore and defensive backs Larry Thompson and Otheese Wells also return to the lineup .
“We have a lot of players that aren’t here, but we’re still here to work and get another championship,” Moore said. “We’ve got some good athletes, so it’s going to be interesting.“
New man on the sideline
The resignation of coach Tavares Bowens gave King an opportunity to bring in another former Lakeland assistant, Terrell Stewart.
Stewart was a receivers coach under former Lakeland coach Teddy Keaton when the Thunderbolts won the 2007 AIFA title.
When the team suspended operations last year, Stewart moved on Huntington before arriving in Florence. He said his job is simple — to continue the success Bowens began.
“The foundation has been set by upper management,” he said. “My job is to manage the situation and simplify the system for the two new quarterbacks.”
Stewart added it would take the offense a few games to hit its stride, so the defense will have to step up in the early going.
“We’re going to let the defense carry us in the first couple of games,” he said. “Most importantly, we want to give the people of Florence a great product and another title.“
New faces on the field
The Phantoms have brought in 10 new faces on both sides of the ball. Along with Mayfield, the team has brought in three new players at wide receiver — Reggie Eubanks, Tyler Morse and Travis Lewis.
Eubanks will become the third receiver behind Moses and Bennett. The Detroit native wants to be another piece of a puzzle that leads to another title.
“My role is no different from anyone else. I’m not here to take anyone’s spot,” he said. “I’m here to add on to this championship team and help them win another one.”
Kelvin Brown will play on both sides of the ball for the Phantoms. Defensively, the team has added South Florence’s D.J. McLeod, Myrtle Beach’s Mike McCoy, linebacker Christopher Carrothers and cornerback Jevon Johnson.
All of them are thankful for an opportunity to play for a professional football team.
“(Florence) gave me a chance,” McLeod said. “All I want to do is be productive and play my game.”
“It’s a small dream come true, but it’s still a dream,” McCoy said. “Last year, I was flipping burgers.”
Carrothers took it one step further.
“I’m a quiet guy. But I want to go into the phone booth, become Superman and wreak havoc all game long,” he said. “I want to punish people for underestimating our defense.”
PHANTOMS SCHEDULE
Today vs. Carolina
March 13 vs. Greenville
March 28 vs. Columbus
April 4 Greenville
April 11 at Greenville
April 18 at Carolina
April 24 at Baltimore
May 2 vs. Canton
May 16 vs. Fayetteville
May 30 at Columbus
June 6 at Erie
June 13 vs. Harrisburg
June 19 at Columbus
June 27 at Fayetteville