Towson Offensive Player of the Year, Current Coach, Led Mariners Line in 2009

BALTIMORE, MD (January 4, 2010) –  Konstantinos “Gus” Kosmakos, who twice earned offensive player of the year honors for the Towson Tigers, and helped propel the Baltimore Mariners to the league’s leading rushing offense in 2009, has re-signed with the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team for the 2010 season. The Mariners open their third season on March 6th, 2010 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and kickoff their home campaign at 1st Mariner Arena on March 14th at 4:00 PM against the New Jersey Revolution.

“Gus is one of the best players I have ever been associated with both on and off the field.  His passion for life, family, and football are strong and undeniable.  Having Gus is like having another coach on the field at all times.  I will be very excited to see Gus after a year of arena football under his belt,” said Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.

Kosmakos made his pro debut with the Mariners in 2009, earned the center position in training camp, and held the starting spot the entire season for Baltimore.  Anchored by Kosmakos the offensive line powered the Mariners rushing attack to a league leading 718 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns (second best in the AIFA).  The Mariners’ Isaiah Grier also led the league in rushing with 514 yards and added 20 rushing touchdowns.

The Ogden Knights Professional Indoor Football team announced the signing of DB/LB Daryl Williams and WR/DB Johnnie Williams to the 2010 roster.

Daryl Williams attended and played at Cumberland University before making the transition and finishing out his college career at Belhaven College. Williams played a significant role in the Blazers secondary as being a starter at both safety and cornerback. Williams is highly recognized for his open-field tackling and speed.

Each collegiate year Williams played, he improved.  In 2005, he tallied 29 tackles and four pass break-ups while starting nine games.  In '06, he saw the field better and closed in on opponents faster to accumulate 40 tackles and on pass break-up.  His senior season was cut short due to a torn PCL, but in the two games he did start, managed 13 tackles and one pass break-up.

Closing speed is one of the many elements necessary on a short indoor field, and Williams is back healthy and ready to prove he has what it takes on the professional level.

Johnnie Williams played his college career out of the University of West Georgia where he was one of the more constant receivers on the team.  His best season with the Wolves came in 2005 where he played in all 11 games, bringing in 16 receptions for 236-yards and two touchdowns.  His senior season saw limited action due to injury, but still tallied 17 catches for 160-yards and one touchdown.

San Jose, Calif.—December 26, 2009 — The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the hiring of former Arena Football League great Steve Papin as Offensive Coordinator in advance of the 2010 AIFA season. Steve Papin finished his Arena Football career as one of the best offensive players to play the game. Steve entered the Arena Football League in 1996 with the San Jose Saber cats and played four seasons with cats. During his time in San Jose Steve was named “don’t blink” player of the year twice. Steve still holds several Arena Football League records and finished his career with the New York Dragons in 2003.

“Steve’s offensive career in the AFL was outstanding we look forward to his knowledge on the offensive side to raise our offense to great heights this year” said GM Bennie King. “We have spent time defining our offensive goals with the team and I’m looking forward to Steve’s offense attaining them. Local fans remember Steve from his sabercat  days now will have an opportunity to see him coach a high powered offense I know he’s excited.”

“Larry Thompson is a great addition to our club, he was a heck of a player and his knowledge and heart will translate to the players well.  I have worked with Larry as our star DS on our previous teams I always looked at him as a coach on the field so it’s a natural fit” said GM Bennie King.”This is something we have talked about for a few years now and we both said when the time was right let’s do it. I know Larry is one of those guys who will be even more successful as a coach as he was a player.”

“We will win a championship this year I assured Bennie that our defense and specifically  the secondary will suffer no drop off from my transition from a player to coach,“ said Thompson. “I am glad to be returning to San Jose, as I spent my college career at SJSU. The fans of the bay expect winners and I can assure them we will play a superior defensive game by executing a superior defensive strategy.”

BALTIMORE, Maryland (December 24, 2009) - The American Indoor Football Association has released the 71st edition of This Week in the AIFA.

This is a special holiday edition of the program. Guests include AIFA co-founder John Morris, AIFA National Director Jack Bowman and Yakima Warriors' coach Lance Brown. An additional voice on the program is AIFA Director of Officiating, Tom Falcinelli. The program also features a special holiday word at the end of the program.

This Week in the AIFA is a downloadable Internet radio program, sometimes referred to as a "podcast." The program is produced by Bill Hazen Productions, in conjunction with the AIFA and OurSports Central Radio. It is available for download directly through both the AIFA's home site (www.aifaprofootball.com) and OurSports Central's web site (www.oursportscentral.com).

This Week in the AIFA is written, produced and hosted by veteran play-by-play broadcaster and AIFA Media/Public Relations Director Bill Hazen. The program utilizes the latest in digital audio technology to increase the quality of interview segments from throughout the league.

Click here to listen.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of DB Nate Kenion to their growing 2010 roster. Nathan 5’10, 200 comes to Wolves after playing in 2009 for the Stockton Lightning of the AFL2. Nathan played in 8 games and started all 8 for the lightning finishing second on the team with 45 tackles 6 pass break ups and two interceptions.”In looking at Nathan on film what I liked about his play the versatility he brings at defensive back or  jack linebacker “said GM Bennie King. “ He is a physical kid that fits into the mold of what we like in our defensive backs “said King. Nathan finished his collegiate football career at the University-Nevada Las Vegas in 2006 where he was voted a team captain. In High School Nathan played for national high school powerhouse De La Salle HS where as a senior he was a second team all state and first team all –league selection as a Strong Safety.”I’m looking forward to Nathan competing this season with us and with the system Coach Thompson runs defensively we should get big plays from Nathan” said King.

Reading Express GM and Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski is proud to announce that he has signed a pair of players from Wilmington, Delaware, that will add experience and depth to his Express roster.

The Express has signed Defensive Back Johnnie“Nyquil”Taylor. Johnnie is 6’3” 200lb defensive back who has AFL, CIFL and IFL experience. He played his college ball at New Jersey University and his High School football at Berringer HS in Newark, Delaware. His size, speed and arena experience and his ability to also play on both sides of the ball makes Taylor a dual threat and a big addition to the Express roster. Johnnie is another Express kid that has tremendous family values and will fast become a fan favorite here in Reading.

The Express have also signed Defensive Linemen Dayon”Iceman” Benson. Dayon is a 6’2” 265lb defender with AF2, IFL and AIFA experience. He still holds the AIFA single game sack record of 4 sacks in a game. He is another motor player for us. Our defense is predicated on being aggressive and not relenting for 60 minutes. He fits our mold of being an every down player. Dayon played his High School football at Glasgow HS in Newark, Delaware and his college football at Central State in Ohio. He also is looking forward to coming to Reading and getting the Express fans excited for the 2010 season.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of OL Anthony Umbanguo. Anthony (6’9 -335) comes to Wolves after playing collegiately at Western New Mexico University. Anthony made his indoor debut in 2009 with the Abilene Ruff Ryders of the Indoor Football League.” Anthony is a huge asset for our ballclub and the offensive line we expect him to be dominant in the AIFA this season “said GM Bennie King. “Anthony obviously has the measurable to be pretty special his pass protection will be critical for our success on offense “said King

Anthony was on an offensive line in Abilene that featured former NFL QB Quincy Carter.”I want the people of San Jose to know that I am excited to be a part of the wolves and bring a championship to San Jose” said Anthony Umbanguo .“We’re excited for Anthony to be a part of what we’re doing he is from the area and is looking forward to playing in front of his family and friends “said King.”We feel like players of Anthony’s caliber and potential will allow us to win a championship in 2010 and we will continue to move forward in that direction” said King.

Led Appalachian State to Two National Titles, All-State Performer at DeMatha

BALTIMORE, MD (December 21, 2009) – Daniel Orlebar, who helped lead Appalachian State University to two national titles and was an All-State performer while sparking Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic High School to the area’s number one ranking, has signed with the Baltimore Mariners for the 2010 season. The Mariners open their season March 6th in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and their home opener at 1st Mariner Arena is set for Sunday, March 14th at 4:00 PM.

Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson noted, “Daniel is a ball player that we had the opportunity to evaluate during our open tryouts.  He has great quickness for his size and has a solid football background. He will add some strong competition to the defensive line.”

After two seasons where he saw limited playing time at Wake Forest University, including a red shirt freshman season in 2002, Orlebar transferred to Appalachian State. In his first season, 2004, he played seven games and totaled nine tackles. In 2005 the 6’3”, 290 pound defensive lineman became a vital cog in the Mountaineers’ defense playing in 14 games as Appalachian racked up a 12-3 overall record and won the Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision national championship. In 2006 Orlebar and the Mountaineers both reached their full potential as Daniel totaled 65 tackles, including two for a loss, two sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Appalachian finished 14-1 on the way to their second national title in a row. In his three seasons at the North Carolina school Orlebar totaled 99 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and seven QB hurries as the Mountaineers racked up a 32-9 record during his time on campus.