Turfcats Getting Talent For Inaugural Season

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 24, 2009) Ronald Oswalt, general manager and vice-president of the Austin Turfcats, announced the signing of several players for the 2009 season in addition to the signing of first year player Clint Toon.

Toon, who played in six games for Texas State this past season, said the transition to indoor football seemed natural.

“I think it is more of my game,” he said. “My game is short, quick passes.”

The short and quick passes employed by Toon during his time at Texas State came in handy as he slammed a career best 117-yard game against Central Arkansas and led the offensive dominance over Stephen F. Austin State University in the team’s 52-29 victory.

Before joining Texas State, Toon played one season at Kilgore Junior College, which won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. Before that, the Kilgore, Texas native played for his hometown high school football and baseball teams. The Kilgore Bulldogs finished with a 21-5 record during Toon’s two-year tenure on the football team.

The Turfcats also signed the following players to a contract to attend camp and compete for a spot in the inaugural team.

Darrick Wallace – 5’8 – 175 – Grambling State
Tim Cook – 6’4 – 285 – NA
David Banks – 5’10 – 225 – Langston University
Mycal Catchings – 6’2 – 198 – Tarleton State
Kelly Hancock – 6’2 – 220 – Tarleton State
Keith Clay – 5’9 – 210 – Nichols State
Joseph Turner, Jr. – 6’3 – 200 – Texas A&M Kingsville
Iran Hodge – 6’4 – 293 - Texas A&M Kingsville
Clint Toon – 6’0 – 195 – Texas State
Franswan Mackey – 6’2 – 215 - Texas A&M Kingsville
Ray Hall – 5’10 – 215 – Ferris State
Corry Perez – 5’6 – 165 – Blinn College
Deron Ellis – 6-4 – 285 – Texas Southern
Rico Troup – 5’10 – 209 – NA
Kevin T. Earvine – NA
Reggie Smith – 5’7 – 160 – McMurry University
Mike Rose – 6’1 – 220 – NA

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Derrick Wallace – This speedy receiver and return man played for Doug Williams at Grambling State University. He has extensive indoor football experience and he has played on the af2 level.

Kelly Hancock – He plays on both sides of the ball with quarterback and linebacker experience. He is a former Austin Wrangler of the af2.

Keith Clay – This running back/wide receiver is a Nichols State product and played af2 with the Austin Wranglers. He also has played for the former Centex Barracudas of the Intense Football League.

Iran Hodge – He rejoined with the team’s Vice-President/General Manager as both were with former division champions with the Katy Copperheads.

The team expects to sign several more players in the next few weeks and is preparing for their mini-camp slated to start in mid-March.

“These players will set the tone for this team and leave their footprint on this franchise,” Oswalt said. “We have spent extensive time on this roster and we are only about halfway there, this next month will be a building process.”

Head Coach Chris Duliban, is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of competing in the Southern Indoor Football League and helping the Austin Turfcats achieve their goal of having a championship season this year.

Duliban added, ”The team is coming together and there is no lack of talent here in Central Texas, the players are in good shape and are ready to get their gear and start hitting each other.”