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| OV's Rayshawn Askew signs an autograph for a faithful fan. |
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 January 13, 2005 - Sioux City, IA-Jose Jefferson remembered the times Dave Perrigo gave him fits when Jefferson was coaching for the National Indoor Football League's Lincoln Capitols.
Perrigo was a playmaking speedster no matter where the Sioux City Bandits played him, either as a running back, a receiver or a kickoff returner.
"We always had some sort of game plan to stop him and he still hurt us," said the Bandits' new head coach, listing Perrigo among the United Indoor Football League team's first signees for 2005.
"We're going to use him any way possible, kickoff returns, receiver, running back. You have to have a player like that get the ball in his hands."
The former NAIA All-American from Northwestern College returned five kickoffs for touchdowns for the Bandits during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. He also scored 26 touchdowns those two seasons as a receiver or running back.
"I'd love to be a premier kick returner in this league," said Perrigo. "That's my strength. God gave me the ability to find the end zone and that's the part of the job that I can help the Bandits."
Perrigo, who rushed for 1,059 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2004 for the Northwest Iowa Bruisers of the National American Football League, was among 10 players introduced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Tyson Events Center. Also returning after missing the 2004 season is wide receiver Johnny Ostermeyer, who spent last year with the Omaha Beef.
Three starters from last year's offensive line have signed, anchored by 6-4, 335-pound center Erv Strohbeen, a regular since the days the team was known as the Sioux City Attack. Left tackle Clint Harrison (6-8, 325) and right tackle Steve Schmidt (6-4, 325), are also back from last year's 8-6 squad that fell 46-40 to Omaha in the first round of playoffs in the National Indoor Football League.
Record-setting wide receiver Lucas Green (975 yards receiving, 18 TD) returns along with cornerback Alex Ardley. Cody Butler, who made 13 field goals and missed only once in 52 extra-point attempts last fall at the University of South Dakota, signed along with wide receiver Tristan Johnson and defensive back Larrey Williams.
"It was important to get all of these veterans back," said Perrigo. "Johnny's a great pass receiver. This offensive line will be great in giving the quarterback time to throw. It gives us plenty of opportunity to win football games."
The Bruisers, one of 104 teams in the NAFL, an 11-player league, played their home games at South O'Brien High School's field in Paullina, Iowa. Perrigo, who competed on a roster that included two former Northwestern teammates, offensive lineman Nick Scholten and fullback Travis Schueler, also posted a 27-yard kickoff return average with two touchdowns for a 6-4 squad that missed a playoff berth by one victory.
Perrigo, a physical education teacher and head girls basketball coach at South O'Brien, was a fan favorite with the Bruisers, but the attention was nothing compared to that which he received with the Bandits. Jefferson contacted Perrigo two days after being hired as the Bandits' new head coach.
"My (football) career is narrowing down, but I feel I have two, three good years left in my body and what better way to end than with the team that I started with," said Perrigo. "I miss the atmosphere of indoor football. A crowd of 3,000 in Sioux City is like a crowd of 70,000 outdoors. It's loud and it's entertaining."
The Bandits announced their 2005 schedule, which starts with a March 19 home game at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena against Black Hills.
Jefferson has also scheduled an open tryout camp this Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. at the Long Lines Family Center.
"I expect 25 to 40 to try out for the team," said Jefferson. "Our coaching staff will put each player through a series of tests to determine their ability to make the team. Then, we will have another camp next weekend in Tallahasee, Fla. Afterwards, the coaching staff will pick which players will be invited back for training camp the beginning of March."
*This article courtesy of Jerry Giese, Sioux City Journal
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