Post by 50yardfan on Dec 28, 2010 9:05:30 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (December 28, 2010) - Linebacker Jermaine Thaxton, who led the Harrisburg Stampede in tackles in 2009 before leading the Baltimore Mariners to an undefeated national championship in 2010, has signed a contract to return to the Stampede in 2011.
"Thax is a player I have had to face for the last couple of years as an opponent. You have to always know where he is on the field because he can play at least three positions and all of them well. It will finally be nice to make a game plan with him in it, instead of against him. I think it's great he is back in Harrisburg where his family and friends are and they are able to see him play," said Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski.
After a stellar prep career in which he was named an All-County performer and one of the Keystone state's top 50 players at Pottsgrove High School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Thaxton headed to Wayne, Pennsylvania to the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he was a standout on both sides of the ball.
He then transferred to West Virginia University where Thaxton lettered for two seasons with the Morgantown school and had a breakout season in 2002 as a senior. Playing in all 13 games, including the Continental Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers, Thaxton ranked sixth in tackles on a Mountaineer squad, which finished the season 9-4 and ranked 20th in the final Coaches Poll.
He totaled 79 tackles (42 solo and 37 assisted), finished fifth for WVU with 6.5 tackles for a loss, and added two interceptions. His top game was against the Miami Hurricanes when he totaled 12 tackles with six solo and six assisted stops.
Thaxton then began his professional career with the Tulsa Talons of the Arena Football League 2 (af2). He played on both sides of the ball from 2003 to 2005 for a team that made the playoffs all three seasons, compiled a 37-11 record, and won the Arena Cup in 2003.
After two years away from professional football the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native returned to the indoor game playing for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008.
In 2009 he returned home to Harrisburg to star for the Stampede. Playing in 12 of the team's 14 games Thaxton led the Stampede in tackles with 62.5 (55 solo, 15 assisted), had 4.5 tackles for a loss, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He finished third in the league with 5.2 tackles per game and following the season was named to the All-Pro Team.
In 2010 he headed south down I-83 and signed with the Baltimore Mariners. On an undefeated Mariners squad, which won the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship, Thaxton led the team in tackles with 46.5 (39 unassisted and 15 assisted), ranked seventh in the AIFA in tackles, and also finished seventh in the league interception return yards with 116.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.
"Thax is a player I have had to face for the last couple of years as an opponent. You have to always know where he is on the field because he can play at least three positions and all of them well. It will finally be nice to make a game plan with him in it, instead of against him. I think it's great he is back in Harrisburg where his family and friends are and they are able to see him play," said Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski.
After a stellar prep career in which he was named an All-County performer and one of the Keystone state's top 50 players at Pottsgrove High School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Thaxton headed to Wayne, Pennsylvania to the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he was a standout on both sides of the ball.
He then transferred to West Virginia University where Thaxton lettered for two seasons with the Morgantown school and had a breakout season in 2002 as a senior. Playing in all 13 games, including the Continental Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers, Thaxton ranked sixth in tackles on a Mountaineer squad, which finished the season 9-4 and ranked 20th in the final Coaches Poll.
He totaled 79 tackles (42 solo and 37 assisted), finished fifth for WVU with 6.5 tackles for a loss, and added two interceptions. His top game was against the Miami Hurricanes when he totaled 12 tackles with six solo and six assisted stops.
Thaxton then began his professional career with the Tulsa Talons of the Arena Football League 2 (af2). He played on both sides of the ball from 2003 to 2005 for a team that made the playoffs all three seasons, compiled a 37-11 record, and won the Arena Cup in 2003.
After two years away from professional football the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native returned to the indoor game playing for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008.
In 2009 he returned home to Harrisburg to star for the Stampede. Playing in 12 of the team's 14 games Thaxton led the Stampede in tackles with 62.5 (55 solo, 15 assisted), had 4.5 tackles for a loss, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He finished third in the league with 5.2 tackles per game and following the season was named to the All-Pro Team.
In 2010 he headed south down I-83 and signed with the Baltimore Mariners. On an undefeated Mariners squad, which won the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship, Thaxton led the team in tackles with 46.5 (39 unassisted and 15 assisted), ranked seventh in the AIFA in tackles, and also finished seventh in the league interception return yards with 116.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.