By: Andy Prince General Manager (Commentary by Ed Cerise; as indicated)
2008 brings a lot of changes to
the Morgan Marauders organization. To start it off, Terry Allen stepped down as
General Manager at the end of 2007 so he could focus on his career with the
This years team hosts a Family Affair of a squad with 10 sets of family members. GM Andy Prince will be handling the Head Coach responsibilities. He has chosen, one of only 5 original Marauders left, in Tyler Timothy to call his Offense. 2nd Year player Paul Hill has taken on the Defensive responsibilities for the Marauders in 08. Former GM Terry Allen will take up the eye in the sky job and will be doing stats and PA for the team.
OFFENSE:
Tyler Timothys offense this year
has been revamped from years past. Taking the helm at the QB will be returning
rotator Dallas Tyler (60 185).
Rotating with him will be newcomer Zach Bishop (510 185) and Bobby
Stokes (510 180). Starting at FB will be new recruit Mike Colletti
(511 240) from the Utah Aces of the UIFL. Starting at HB will be Davis High
alum and State Track champion speedster Joel Parker (58 140). Also in the
backfield at TB will be another speedster Sam Hodges (54 130) formerly of the
CV Bears. When its time to ground and pound look for returning big boys Chris
Carpenter (510 235) and Tyson Katoa (62 270) to
join Colletti in the backfield. Also getting time in
the backfield will be Travis Timothy (57 160) and Gary Dansby
(61 205). Playing TE this year will be returning former All-Star and Captain
Tim Rhoades (63 205). Backing him up will be Richard Prince (63 240) when
needed. WR is probably the deepest position for the Marauders this year with
Tom Wright (61 200) returning from his All-Star year last year to lead the
charge. Starting on the opposite side will be newcomer Denny Moran (510 170).
Look for Josh Gabriel (61 175), Jeremy Johnson (61 190), Daniel Robin (510
165), and a host of others to be catching passes this season.
The O-line lost continuous All-Star Austin Rowser to
a job in
Cerises Comments: The Marauders have been consistent in putting players on the field since their inception a few years ago. This 2008 team appears to be no different; when they lose players they always find a way to attract more. Offensively the Marauders have struggled finishing last season 10th out of 11 teams. With so many new teams added to AA I expect the Offense to improve against some of the new teams who have joined the league this year. The offense was more than dismal last season as they managed to score only 34 points all season. Outputs like that are not going to get it done. With their adjustments on offense and being the only team in the Southern Division to not be a new team the Marauders should improve drastically, they have to if they want to make it into the playoffs.
DEFENSE:
Defense will win games this year
for the Marauders. Most of the returning players from last years squad will
start on the Defensive side. The D-line looks good and punishing with Richard
Prince (63 240) and Richard Gary (62 230) starting at the ends. Look for
Tim Rhoades to rotate at both ends. Tyson Katoa (63
270) and Blake Hawkes (61 220), are returning to
the Marauders after starting a UIFL team (Utah Aces), and will start at the
tackles. Look for Rick Sytan (58 250), OC and 07
sack leader Tyler Timothy (58 205), and GM Andy Prince to get rotation on the
interior line.
The Line Backer core is a solid one. Very tough to decide who will get the nod
to start on a given Saturday? At MLB Chris Carpenter (511 235) will be
punishing the middle with returning starter Ashton Hoopes
(63 275) helping him out on rotation. On the Outsides look for returning
starters Luke Eyre (511 210) and Ronny Wiggill (61
185) to keep up the speed and tackles from last year. Chad Mikesell
(57 170) and Mike Colletti will rotate constantly
to keep fresh legs on the D. At the Corner position, James Eyre (511 190)
looks to return to shut down potential receivers this year. Joining him on the
opposite side will be newcomer Chase Larsen (60 160). Rotating on the CBs will be Gary Dansby (61 205), WSU alum Travis Atwood (63 235), Bobby
Stokes (510 180), and Fresh from BRV Rockets Bryan Freeman (510 180).
Covering over top will be DC Paul Hill (59 160) along with his cousin Billy
Vaughn (67 230) who is always tough to throw over. Looking to rotate will be Atwood,
Daniel Robin (510 165), Jeremy Johnson (61 190) and showing some interest
is former Rhino great Jed Davies (61 180).
Cerises Comments: Andy Prince stated in his opening line for the defense, Defense will win games this year for the Marauders. They are going to have to if the offense doesnt produce. The defense although a solid group have a lot of pressure on them to hold opponents scoreless, which wasnt the case last year after finishing 9th last season. As mentioned prior, in the Southern division there are four new teams which the Marauders will play twice. The defense should perform well against these first year teams. I would expect the Marauders defense to finish in the middle of the pack in AA this season. If both their offense and defense improve this team could make it into the playoffs, right now they are on the bubble.
On Special Teams, Bryan Freeman will be handling kicking and punting duties with Tim Rhoades backing him on punting. Returning Punts will be speedsters Joel Parker and Sam Hodges with Paul Hill and Gary Dansby backing them. Jeremy Johnson will return to his star position from last year as punt returner. Long snap duties will belong to Billy Vaughn and Travis Atwood.
OVERALL RANKING: 8th
