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Sports

Renegades welcome new players

Special to The Herald

The Central Alabama Renegades Minor League Football team recently signed several players that will help it in the team’s 2006 campaign.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Renegades have added help on the offensive line. Three returning starters, left tackle Fred Barnett (Faulkner University, 6’7” 320 lbs.), right tackle Darryl Blue (6’6” 330 lbs.) and Duke Vaiga (Murray State University, 6’5” 385 lbs.) will be joined by two new teammates, guard Roger Medlock and center Daw Vaiga.

The addition of right guard Roger Medlock (Alabama State University, 6’5” 320 lbs.) will allow the Renegades to switch last year’s starting right guard Quincy McCall (6’1” 385 lbs) to defensive tackle. Medlock recently finished playing indoor football, so he is already in mid-season shape and is ready to step in and play immediately.

At the center position, the Renegades have added Daw Vaiga of Ottawa University, Duke Viaga’s younger brother. With the addition of Vaiga and Medlock, the Renegades’ offensive line now averages 6’5” 340 lbs.

The moving of McCall to the defensive line adds size and depth to an already good defensive front. In addition to McCall, the Renegades also have Arthur Perryman (University of Nebraska, Kearney, 6’3” 310 lbs.) and newcomer Chris Malloy (6’3” 320 lbs.), both of whom performed well in the Renegades season opener in Fort Walton Beach.

At defensive end, the Renegades return Matt Dopson (University of North Carolina, 6’3” 300 lbs.) and Kevin Campbell (Troy State University, 6’3” 270 lbs.). Dopson was All-Conference in 2005 and Campbell was All-Conference Honorable Mention.

At the skill positions, the Renegades have added two running backs, Antoine Harden (Alabama A&M University, 5’7” 195 lbs.) and Aubrey Lewis (Alabama State University, 5’11” 230 lbs.). Lewis gives the Renegades a big “power back” to help control the clock in the ground game. The addition of these two backs n along with Lamont Mitchell (Southwest State University, 5’9” 190 lbs.), who has already had a one hundred-yard-plus game in the Renegades’ season opener n should solidify Central Alabama’s ground attack. With Patrick Epkins (Troy University, 6’1” 260 lbs.) filling the role of blocking fullback and a large, physical offensive line, the Renegades should have a solid running game.

The Renegades have added Clifford Harvey (Delta State University, 5’9” 185 lbs.)at wide receiver. Harvey was a member of the Delta State University team that won the Division II National Championship in 2001. He will join a good receiving corps that consists of Durocher Miller (Michigan State University, 6’2” 225 lbs.), Tim Jones (McPherson College, 6’2” 200 lbs.), Rodrice Merkerson (Concordia College, 6’3” 215 lbs.) and Shaun Holmes (Alabama State University, 5’10” 200 lbs.).

The Renegades will hit the road on July 29 to face the Evergreen Jaguars. The team will return home to Stanley Jensen Stadium in Prattville on Aug. 5 to host the Ft. Walton Beach Falcons. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Renegades, visit the team’s Web site at http://www.eteamz.com/carenegades, and for more on the North American Football League, visit the league’s web site at http://www.nafl.org.

lakota wrote on Feb 12, 2008 9:40 AM:

" Matt dopson is my hero he saved my life when it came to drugs. I would like to thank him for comeing to punxsy because if he did not I dont know were I would be so when I saw this it really got me to think what I wanted to do with my life. I don't want to through my life a way so I stoped wat I was doing. Thank you so much power team it really ment a lot what you did for me and for other kids it really ment a lot and thats why I pray for the power team every chance I can thank you so much. I hope matt finds the girl of his
your biggest fan
lakota neal "