Ellington Starring in Indoor League

By: Mike London
Salisbury Post

When he stares out the window, Ron Ellington can see "The Fence" — a controversial wall of wire and steel that rises 18 feet high on the border between El Paso, Texas, and Jaurez, Mexico.

The fence is a daily reminder for Ellington, a former Catawba football standout whose career ended with All-American accolades in 2007, that he's a long way from home.

"It's so different from North Carolina," Ellington said. "No green. Not many trees. Hot. Just desert climate."

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Ellington is a defensive lineman for the El Paso Generals and an MVP candidate in the Indoor Football League, which was formed in 2008 when the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football joined forces.

Ellington made 206 tackles for Catawba. Half of his 52 tackles for loss were sacks. Seven sacks came in one record-breaking frenzy against Mars Hill when he was a sophomore. That game made him a star. He never topped it, but he never stopped being reliable and productive. Ellington has always gotten sacks, whether he was suiting up for Charlotte's Independence High, Catawba or the El Paso Generals. That's what he does.

The Generals play an odd brand of football that people used to watching Catawba wouldn't recognize. It's 8-on-8. Players carom crazily off 4-foot high walls. Punts aren't allowed. The field is only 50 yards long. Scoreboards get lit up. When the Generals enjoy a stellar defensive night, they win 55-38.

About 90 percent of the plays called in the IFL are pass plays. That makes Ellington very valuable.

"It's a throwing league made for pass-rushers and pass-blockers," Ellington said. "I started out playing linebacker, but I was best as a pass-rusher, so they moved me to defensive end."

Ellington has racked up 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 13 games, but he admits it's not something he can do forever. The payscale in the IFL isn't geared for making a living. Players need a second job to make ends meet.

"I am not making any money," Ellington said. "But I'm doing this to get to where I want to be. I look at it like I've got to give up a little to gain a lot."

Ellington knows exactly how he ended up in the dusty western corner of Texas, but it takes him 10 minutes to explain the twists and turns he's taken in his pro career.

He didn't hear his name called in the 2008 draft, but he hadn't expected to. He tried out for a Canadian Football League team but wasn't signed.

He worked his first job off the football field, counseling at a group home, and joined the Carolina Speed for their final three weeks.

He was picked in the United National Gridiron League's online draft last January and was excited about suiting up for Team Virginia. He worked out diligently and got his mind right.

Opening day in the UNGL was postponed twice because of financial struggles. Then the league was cancelled — at least for this year.

"After that, I went back to speak to the Speed, but their roster was full," Ellington said. "But those setbacks were blessings. The coach at El Paso had heard about me. He called and asked If I was interested."

Ellington was.

When the Generals opened the season April 4 with a 50-17 thrashing of the Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Ellington was there, playing in front of a crowd of 3,250 at the 5,600-seat El Paso County Coliseum, which is also home to rodeos, livestock shows and the Ice Capades.

"Half the fans come across the border from Mexico and the other half are from El Paso," Ellington said. "Fan support has been good because we're the closest thing to the NFL in town. They used to have an Arena League team, but they were O-fer and didn't make it. We're 11-2. Everybody likes a winner. They come see us."

The home games are fun, but road trips are rough. The Generals play often against Texas teams in the Lone Star Division, but it's not like they can jump on a jet when they're scheduled to play out of state.

Ellington will never forget the team's 24-hour bus ride to St. Charles, Mo., to play the River City Rage. The Generals left El Paso on a Wednesday, rested up, then won 70-56 on Saturday.

Ellington's best game came in one of the Generals' early wins.

"I got off to a strong start with one of our games against Corpus Christi," Ellington said. "They said I had 2.5 sacks, but after they reviewed the film they gave me credit for five.

"Word started getting around, and it got harder after that. Teams started changing their line splits against me. Teams started using the running back to stay in and help block me."

Still, Ellington's gotten his share of sacks. He ranks in the top five in the IFL in sacks and tackles for loss. There are only three O-linemen on the field, and he's been a handful.

Ellington stays in touch with Catawba coaches and trusts that hard work will pay off. Catawba assistant Bob Lancaster has many contacts in Canada. It's also likely the original Arena Football League will be back in business in 2010.

Ellington noted that former teammate Brad Roach is playing quarterback in af2, which is Triple-A for the Arena League.

There was also good news last month when Ellington's El Paso teammate, offensive lineman Polo Gutierrez, was signed by the Buffalo Bills.

Scouts are everywhere, and you just never know who's watching.

"I want to use this opportunity I've gotten in El Paso as a stepping stone to a higher level," Ellington said. "I'm hoping my numbers will speak for themselves." Read more!

Lancaster Back on Taylor Field

By: Rob Vanstone
The Leader-Post

For Bob Lancaster, the reminders are everywhere.

There is, for example, the gigantic photo of his legendary father. Ron Lancaster's image is displayed on the outer west side of Mosaic Stadium.

"You can't miss it," said Bob Lancaster, who does miss the city in which he grew up.

"I love Regina. I've always loved Saskatchewan. It's the old saying: You can take the kid out of Saskatchewan, but you can't take Saskatchewan out of the kid.''

Bob Lancaster, 40, is the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, where he has spent the last 11 years. Lately, however, he is moonlighting as a guest coach at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp.

"I was talking with one of the coaches, Joe Womack," Lancaster said in reference to the Roughriders' director of player personnel, who is also tutoring the team's safeties.

"He said, 'I remember being here as a rookie. The first touchdown pass thrown against me in the CFL was in that corner, and your dad threw it on me.' He said, 'Did you ever think when you were a snot-nosed kid running around here that some day you'd be coming back here to be a coach?'"

Womack was flashing back to a game in 1977, when he was a defensive back with the Calgary Stampeders. In the southwest corner of Taylor Field, he surrendered one of the 333 touchdown passes The Little General threw in 19 years as a CFL player.

Sixteen of those seasons were spent with the Roughriders. Upon retiring as a player, Ron Lancaster spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons as the team's head coach. Now, nearly 30 years later, there is another Coach Lancaster in camp.

Bob Lancaster has previously been a guest coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, back in the days when his famous father coached those teams. The youngest of No. 23's three children has also coached in NFL Europe and the American high school ranks.

Coaching-wise, this stop will be the briefest -- and among the most memorable.

"I'm really glad I came and did this," said a smiling Lancaster, whose wife (Kimberly) and five-year-old daughter (Alexus) are back in North Carolina.

Alexus graduates from kindergarten today. A proud father would love to witness the occasion, but how could he pass up this opportunity?

Upon returning to Saskatchewan for the first time in roughly 10 years, Bob was welcomed by his sister (Regina-based Lana Mueller) and her husband (Larry). One of the first stops was Emerald Park Road, where the Lancaster family lived for 20 years.

"I went there the first night I got back,'' Bob said. "There were all the feelings again. You look at the park and think of the hide-and-go-seek and the games of football -- the shinny games out in front of the house when it's minus-40. It's like I was in a time warp. There were feelings coming up all the time ... good feelings.''

The feelings can also be bittersweet.

It has not yet been a year since Ron Lancaster died suddenly at age 69. The sad news of Sept. 18 prompted a torrent of condolences and tributes, which were appreciated by Lancaster's wife (Bev) and children (Bob, Lana and Ron Jr.).

"We're doing pretty well," Bob said. "We're so spread out. We stay in touch on the phone. I probably talk to Lana a bit more than I did before. I talk to my mom every day. Before, I might have called once a week to see how she and Dad were doing. Now I call every day.

"It has probably brought us a little closer. It might sound corny, but you start to understand a little more about life. Everyone thinks their dad's invincible. It doesn't matter if your dad's a steel worker or a lawyer. You just think your dad's invincible."

He is far from invisible -- as Bob Lancaster discovered the other day when he happened to look at the west-side grandstand and saw his father's name on the facing.

"You're in the middle of practice, trying to watch practice, and you go off in your own mind for a second," he said. "It's pretty emotional -- more emotional than I thought it would be. I didn't really think any of those feelings would happen, coming to grips with what happened.

"It's a bit of a closure, I hope, that's happening for me." Read more!

Former QB Brad Roach Goes AFL2

Youngstown, OH. - The Mahoning Valley Thunder is pleased to announce that Quarterback Brad Roach (6'6, 250) has been assigned to the team by the af2 League Offices. Roach is an af2 rookie.

Roach takes the roster spot of Quarterback Blake Powers who has been placed on Injured Reserve.

A native of North Carolina, Roach played collegiately at Division II Catawba College. As a senior, Roach earned All-American honors and was also named the South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

During that 2007 campaign, Roach threw for 3,322 yards and 32 touchdowns. Brad left Catawba as the Indians' all-time passing yards average leader with 212.8 per game. Roach's 7,874 yards and 62 touchdown passes both rank second in school history.

Following his college career Roach signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens before being released in training camp. Earlier this month Roach participated in rookie minicamp with the CFL's Montreal Allouettes.

With starting Quarterback Davon Vinson less than 100%, Roach is expected to see significant playing time this week as the Thunder travel to Albany.

Thunder Head Coach Chris MacKeown said, "Brad has a really strong arm and the ability to make all the throws in the indoor game. He's a big guy who looks more like a Defensive End, guys like that give defensive lineman fits because if you can get to him, he's tough to bring down. Obviously being a rookie he is going to need some time to learn the game."

"But we feel like he has all the tools to make a quick transition and be a successful Quarterback sooner rather than later."

The Mahoning Valley Thunder's third season is under way! Don't miss your chance to feel all the hard-hitting, fast paced action of arena football! Tickets for this event are just $5 dollars and are on sale now! For more information call the Thunder Offices at 330.758.4232. Read more!

RB Quatez Fuller Heading to Catawba

R-S Central running back Quatez Fuller officially committed to the Tribe football program shortly before his high school career came to a close.

To say that Fuller was a three-sport standout is an understatement.

Football, basketball, and track were sports that Fuller excelled in during his tenure at R-S Central. At 6'1 195 pounds, his future looks bright in the backfield as a ball carrier.

As a senior for the 7-5 Hilltoppers, Fuller earned all-county honors and was given the team's annual Heartbeat Award.

His rushing statistics were 62 carries for 296 yards and four touchdowns, a 4.7 yard average. Fuller also caught 16 passes out of the backfield for 376 yards and four scores.

On defense, Fuller contributed 36 tackles and three interceptions in the R-S Central secondary.

In the winter, he was also a big-time scorer for the Hilltopper's hoops team, averaging nearly 13 points a night. He was named to the 2008 Southernwestern All-Conference team during his final year, while also being named to the 2008 MLK All-Tournament team.

Fuller's defining moment on the hardwood occurred during their win over West Henderson where he stole an inbounds pass with only five seconds remaining.

He proceeded to untie the 63-63 score with his last second layup, giving the R-S Central the 65-63 win. Fuller had a game-high 22 points.

Perhaps his most successful athletic achievements occurred in track and field.

He was named the Southwestern Conference Field Performer of the Year, Rutherford County MVP, R-S Central team MVP, Times-News Invitational Field MVP, and Eddie Reneau Invitational Field MVP.

Fuller also finished 5th in North Carolina at the high jump event 6'4 high jump.
Read more!

LJ McCray Highlight Reel Surfaces on Youtube

Harding University High School safety LJ McCray inked with the Catawba football program on National Signing Day in early February.

He was named all-conference during his junior and senior seasons, while being named to the All-Queen City 3A/4A team at running back.

His future, however, will be looked upon at safety. The loss of safeties Tyon Bennett, Mike Benton, and Chris Noel will make McCray a viable option for playing time in 2009.

McCray, 6'1 185, took a late visit to Appalachian State shortly before making Catawba his destination to play college football. He was also invited to play in the new Down Under Bowl.

As a rusher, McCray recorded 44 carries for 198 yards and six touchdowns, while hauling in 19 catches for 339 yards and a pair of scores.

His services in their secondary included 70 tackles and three interceptions during his final season for Harding.

McCray returned three kick-offs for touchdowns during his final prep season, while accumulating five total touchdowns in return situations throughout his career.

His official highlight tape has surfaced on Youtube and is available for Catawba fans to take a sneak peak at the college's future options in the secondary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXR0PiOE8Y
Read more!

LB Keyon Wade Picks Catawba

Woodbridge High School (VA) defensive end Keyon Wade recently inked with the Indian program last week.

Wade earned First Team All-Cardinal District honors as a defensive lineman for the 11-1 Vikings.

His future position, however, will be at linebacker where his 5'10 210 pound frame will be better suited.

Wade was the team's fullback as well, paving the way for Rutgers commit De'Antwan Williams.

Despite rushing for only a pair of touchdowns last season and catching five balls out of the backfield, he may be looked at as a fullback for Catawba in years to come.

Wade was primarily a roving defensive end for Woodbridge, but played significant snaps at linebacker and safety.

On defense, Wade was in on 52 total tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.

Woodbridge has had seven seniors ink with four-year colleges or post-graduate institutions to further their playing careers. Read more!

LB Dennis McFatten Commits to Indians

Heralded Lake Weir HS linebacker Dennis McFatten inked with the Catawba Indians shortly before the spring semester ended.

Lake Weir, located in Ocala, FL, recently enjoyed its first trip to the state playoffs in the program's 53 year existence.

McFatten had a lot to do with that milestone by leading the Hurricanes to a 7-4 record, while earning All-Marion County Second Team accolades.

As a prep senior, McFatten racked up 65 tackles, 6 sacks, one interception, a blocked punt, and a touchdown.

The 6'2 195 pound linebacker spent two years on their varsity team and was recognized as "Mr. Hurricane" and "Mr. Leadership" of the squad.

Lake Weir coach Mark Hinterthan knew McFatten's future was bright after his stint on the JV team as a sophomore.

During that time span, McFatten was named to the All-Marion County team after recording 31 tackles, 3 sacks, and two blocked punts.

Not to mention he was named the team's "Defensive Player of the Year" by season's end.

Ocala's newspaper, The Star-Banner, reported on April 13th that McFatten had offers from Wingate, Emory and Henry, Concordia and Averett, with Catawba ultimately winning the race.

The Indians graduated two-time All-SAC linebacker Charles McAfee and Charlie Walker after last season's 6-4 campaign.

McFatten and other newcomers will look to replenish and solidify Catawba's linebacking corp and special team's needs in the future.
Read more!

2009 Division II Preseason Consensus Draft Services All-American Teams

The Consensus Draft Services released their annual Division II preseason All-American teams on Tuesday morning.

Senior left tackle Terence Crosby headlines the offensive linemen as a first team pick. The 6'2 300 pound Crosby will be a four-year starter this fall and was recognized as an AFCA All-American in 2008.

Other Catawba Indians can be found on this All-American squad, and they are listed in the honorable mention section.

UNC quarterback Cameron Sexton has yet to take a snap in Salisbury, NC, but the CDS selection committee felt that the Tribe's transfer signal-caller will be one of the nation's more productive players in 2009.

Sexton played in eight games during his junior season for the Tar Heels, completing 94 of 168 attempts for 1,261 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Defensive end Marcus Davis is also listed as an honorable mention pick on the defensive line.

Davis is one of many Indian prospects creating pro buzz after a sensational junior year.

In 2008, the 6'2 240 pound defensive end registered 37 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

Another senior defensive lineman, Melquan Fair, joins Davis on the honorable mention team.

Fair has been a cornerstone to Catawba's 4-3 scheme each of the past two seasons.

As a two time First Team All-SAC pick, Fair collected 36 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks last season. Read more!

Catawba's Recruiting Class Swells to 47

Recruiting coordinator DJ Summers released the college's official commitment list early Monday.

The list currently has 47 names, including both letters of intent and transfer players.

Click the link to read the list of future Tribe football players.



High School Letters of Intent

Name Position Height Weight High School

Robbie Aldridge DE 5'10 220 Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)
Nick Bodenheimer OL 6'2 245 Ronald Reagan HS
Tobias Brown DT 6'2 265 Beddingfield HS
Vincent Brown TE 6'3 205 Wilkes Central HS
Keith Bryant DB 5'9 180 Starmount HS
Jared Crabtree WR 6'1 170 Wakefield HS
Rob Creason DT 6'2 293 North Davidson HS
Dylan Crump WR 6'1 190 Hibriten HS
Bo Davidson WR 5'9 175 Gaffeny HS (SC)
Robert Davis WR 6'0 175 Bunker Hill HS
Daniel Donaldson OL 5'11 230 South Rowan HS
Matthew Draughn DB 5'10 160 Providence Grove HS
Scottie Floyd DB 5'10 165 Ashbrook HS
Jerome Gadberry LB 6'0 180 Starmount HS
Rashaun Gaither RB 5'11 190 Starmount HS
Chance Green QB 6'6 205 Northridge HS (CO)
Sammy Houston DB 5'9 170 Richmond Senior HS
James Hunt LB 6'1 220 Clinton HS
Alex Ingram DB 5'9 170 Richmond Senior HS
Jonathan Ingram RB 5'8 190 Lincolnton HS
Landon Isenhour QB 6'2 195 Fred T. Foard HS
Cory Johnson LB 5'11 230 Jack Britt HS
Terrance Johnson WR 5'9 175 West Stokes HS
Bobby Krauk P 6'6 210 Westminster HS (MD)
Damien Lee DE 6'3 235 Reidsville HS
Payton McCollum WR 5'10 175 Mount Tabor HS
LJ McCray DB 6'1 175 Harding University HS
Dennis McFatten LB 6'2 195 Lake Weir HS (FL)
Anthony McGill DB 6'0 185 Butler HS
Alex Miller DB 5'9 175 Fred T. Foard HS
Richard Miller FB 6'1 235 Western Alamance HS
Brett Mooring QB 6'4 235 West Craven HS
Thomas Phillips FB 6'3 255 Ashe County HS
Michael Priest LB 6'0 190 North Davidson HS
Aaron Rainey FB 6'0 230 Bessemer City HS
Jumal Rolle DB 6'1 180 Beddingfield HS
Keith Royal DE 6'4 220 North Wilkes HS
Kyle St. Clair OL 6'2 265 Alexander Central HS
Jacob Todd LB 6'2 220 South Stanly HS
Ethan Winn OL 6'4 295 Gretna HS (VA)

Transfer Commitments

Name Position Height Weight Previous School

James Collins DB 6'1 200 Suffolk Community College (NY)
Darrius Massey DB 5'8 175 Winston-Salem State University
Marcus McFadden DB 5'9 165 Lenoir-Rhyne University
Dustin Morgan LB 6'0 230 Louisburg Junior College
Cameron Sexton QB 6'1 190 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Nathan Smith DB 5'7 160 Forsyth Technical Community College
Justin Terwilliger DL 6'2 260 Cape Fear Community College
Josh Wright RB 5'10 210 Western Carolina University. Read more!

Rashaun Gaither Inks with Catawba

Starmount running back Rashaun Gaither has decided to join teammates Keith Bryant and Jerome Gadberry as part of the 2009 Catawba football recruiting class.

Gaither had earlier opted to be apart of the inaugural Carolina Sports Academy, a new post-graduate institution in Greensboro, NC.

The Indian's official commitment list released on Monday morning has Gaither listed among a group of players that has grown to nearly 50 names. The program only had eight seniors in last year's class.

As a prep senior, Gaither rushed 217 times for 2,138 yards and 30 touchdowns en route to Mountain Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Gaither's sensational rushing totals broke the school's single-season rushing mark.

On defense, the 5'11 190 running back tallied 63 tackles and five interceptions.

For his career, he finished with 3,272 rushing yards with 46 touchdowns and became the all-time leader in receiving yards with 746 yards. As a defensive back, he finished with 10 interceptions.

Gaither's reasoning for considering post-graduate school was to test his abilities for FBS and FCS schools in future recruiting wars.

Starmount's option-oriented offense suited Gaither well throughout his career, and had aspirations for the Air Force Academy and Georgia Tech because of their style of play.
Read more!