Post by 50yardfan on Jul 8, 2010 18:01:35 GMT -5
Harrisburg native Thaxton thrives in Mariners' secondary
Jermaine Thaxton has family ties in Harrisburg, but his heart resides in Baltimore.
Saturday night in the AIFA's Eastern Conference Championship game at 1st Mariner Arena, the starting cornerback for the undefeated Mariners will be focused on sending his old friends back up I-83, and home for the season.
Mixed feelings? Not really.
“Politics, I guess, were involved in them [Stampede] not wanting to bring me back this season,” Thaxton said. “Coming to Baltimore worked out for the best for me.
Nothing against Harrisburg ... and I do have some friends on the team, but there is no love lost. I have even watched some games at the [Farm Show] arena when I’ve been in town.”
Thaxton, 31, who took in last week’s Harrisburg playoff victory over the Erie Storm, was born in Harrisburg. He moved to Pottstown at the age of 13 to watch over his grandmother, who lived alone.
Playing football and basketball at Pottsgrove High School helped him get noticed by college scouts, and he ended up at West Virginia University after spending a year at junior college.
“West Virginia had a good program and it was also close to home for my family to come see me play,” Thaxton said.
“When I first got there [2000] Don Nehlen was coach and then Rich Rodriguez took over the following year. Rodriguez had a whole different style that I was used so. He was more intense and in-your-face.”
Thaxton, who majored in physical education, started out at linebacker, moved to wide receiver and played strong safety his final year. After graduating, Thaxton moved on to Tulsa University to serve as a graduate assistant coach before experiencing his first taste of indoor football with the Tulsa Talons in 2004.
After playing in Tulsa for three years, “Thax”, as his teammates call him, joined the Lehigh Valley Outlawz. He then jumped at the chance to play for his hometown Stampede when they began play in the AIFA last year.
“The Mariners and their coaching staff wanted me to play for them back then, but I chose Harrisburg,” recalled the 6-3, 205-pound Thaxton.
“I’ve known William Hines since we were five, and [Marcus Sargeant] Sarg and [Archie] Smith and I are friends. I also know coaches [Lance] Whiteside, [Chris] Lamon and [Myron Selby. There is going to be a lot of smack-talking out there, but I let my game do the talking for me.”
Thaxton, who has snared six interceptions, leads the team with 46½ tackles. Overall, the Mariners’ ball-hawking secondary has totaled a whopping 43 picks. Armar Watson leads Baltimore with 13 interceptions, with three returned for touchdowns. As a defense, the Mariners have a turnover ratio of plus-43.
“Our turnover ratio is ridiculous,” Thaxton said. “Our team, which is close, has been together since last year. We have a lot of veterans, and we’re like brothers out there. All phases [of the game] are doing well.”
Another former Stampede player — defensive lineman Melik Brown — leads the team in sacks with 12½ (second in the league) and 16 tackles for loss.
“I love it in Baltimore, and coming here was a blessing in disguise,” said Brown, who played college ball at North Carolina. “No team is going to outwork us because we’re in top condition. We pride ourselves at putting pressure on the quarterback and causing turnovers.”
In the season opener at Harrisburg on March 6, Thaxton recorded a late-game interception and Brown registered 2½ sacks as Baltimore pulled out a 55-48 victory.
“Thax and I had a big game at Harrisburg ... and it meant a lot to us,” Brown said. “Last year, they were our family. Before and after the game [Saturday] it’s all love, but once the game starts it’s all business.”
Thaxton and Brown promised that Harrisburg would be greeted by a loud and enthusiastic crowd at 1st Mariner Arena. Leading the cheers will be the “Mariner Maniacs” and “Bucket Brigade.”
“They will see a totally different atmosphere in Baltimore,” Thaxton said.
Brown added: “Our fans are unbelievable. They give us great support.”
Jermaine Thaxton has family ties in Harrisburg, but his heart resides in Baltimore.
Saturday night in the AIFA's Eastern Conference Championship game at 1st Mariner Arena, the starting cornerback for the undefeated Mariners will be focused on sending his old friends back up I-83, and home for the season.
Mixed feelings? Not really.
“Politics, I guess, were involved in them [Stampede] not wanting to bring me back this season,” Thaxton said. “Coming to Baltimore worked out for the best for me.
Nothing against Harrisburg ... and I do have some friends on the team, but there is no love lost. I have even watched some games at the [Farm Show] arena when I’ve been in town.”
Thaxton, 31, who took in last week’s Harrisburg playoff victory over the Erie Storm, was born in Harrisburg. He moved to Pottstown at the age of 13 to watch over his grandmother, who lived alone.
Playing football and basketball at Pottsgrove High School helped him get noticed by college scouts, and he ended up at West Virginia University after spending a year at junior college.
“West Virginia had a good program and it was also close to home for my family to come see me play,” Thaxton said.
“When I first got there [2000] Don Nehlen was coach and then Rich Rodriguez took over the following year. Rodriguez had a whole different style that I was used so. He was more intense and in-your-face.”
Thaxton, who majored in physical education, started out at linebacker, moved to wide receiver and played strong safety his final year. After graduating, Thaxton moved on to Tulsa University to serve as a graduate assistant coach before experiencing his first taste of indoor football with the Tulsa Talons in 2004.
After playing in Tulsa for three years, “Thax”, as his teammates call him, joined the Lehigh Valley Outlawz. He then jumped at the chance to play for his hometown Stampede when they began play in the AIFA last year.
“The Mariners and their coaching staff wanted me to play for them back then, but I chose Harrisburg,” recalled the 6-3, 205-pound Thaxton.
“I’ve known William Hines since we were five, and [Marcus Sargeant] Sarg and [Archie] Smith and I are friends. I also know coaches [Lance] Whiteside, [Chris] Lamon and [Myron Selby. There is going to be a lot of smack-talking out there, but I let my game do the talking for me.”
Thaxton, who has snared six interceptions, leads the team with 46½ tackles. Overall, the Mariners’ ball-hawking secondary has totaled a whopping 43 picks. Armar Watson leads Baltimore with 13 interceptions, with three returned for touchdowns. As a defense, the Mariners have a turnover ratio of plus-43.
“Our turnover ratio is ridiculous,” Thaxton said. “Our team, which is close, has been together since last year. We have a lot of veterans, and we’re like brothers out there. All phases [of the game] are doing well.”
Another former Stampede player — defensive lineman Melik Brown — leads the team in sacks with 12½ (second in the league) and 16 tackles for loss.
“I love it in Baltimore, and coming here was a blessing in disguise,” said Brown, who played college ball at North Carolina. “No team is going to outwork us because we’re in top condition. We pride ourselves at putting pressure on the quarterback and causing turnovers.”
In the season opener at Harrisburg on March 6, Thaxton recorded a late-game interception and Brown registered 2½ sacks as Baltimore pulled out a 55-48 victory.
“Thax and I had a big game at Harrisburg ... and it meant a lot to us,” Brown said. “Last year, they were our family. Before and after the game [Saturday] it’s all love, but once the game starts it’s all business.”
Thaxton and Brown promised that Harrisburg would be greeted by a loud and enthusiastic crowd at 1st Mariner Arena. Leading the cheers will be the “Mariner Maniacs” and “Bucket Brigade.”
“They will see a totally different atmosphere in Baltimore,” Thaxton said.
Brown added: “Our fans are unbelievable. They give us great support.”