Post by 50yardfan on Apr 15, 2011 22:54:08 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (April 14, 2011) – Thomas Wolfe wrote, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” but for Pennsylvania native Jermaine Thaxton, the 2011 Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) season has been a successful homecoming.
After earning Keystone State Top 50 recognition at Pottsgrove High School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he also saw success as a two-way player for nearby Valley Forge Military Academy and College before leaving PA to star at West Virginia University. A two-year letterman, during his senior season (2002) Thaxton ranked sixth in tackles on a Mountaineer squad, which finished ranked 20th in the nation.
After making his name in West Virginia, the 6’2”, 205 pound linebacker started his pro career with the Tulsa Talons of af2 from 2003 to 2005 and earned an Arena Cup title in 2003. Thaxton made his first return trip to Pennsylvania playing for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008. He he stayed in PA in 2009 and suited up for the then expansion Stampede. Despite playing in only 12 of the team's 14 games Thaxton led the Stampede in tackles and was named to the All-Pro Team.
He then headed south to Baltimore where he led the undefeated Mariners in tackles on their way to the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship.
Now back in the Quaker State with the Stampede, Thaxton is right at home leading the team in tackles and interceptions and has earned a solid reputation according to Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski, “He is an extremely well rounded player and he studies the game thoroughly. He is a very coachable and an outstanding team player.”
It appears Thax is back; indeed!
After earning Keystone State Top 50 recognition at Pottsgrove High School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he also saw success as a two-way player for nearby Valley Forge Military Academy and College before leaving PA to star at West Virginia University. A two-year letterman, during his senior season (2002) Thaxton ranked sixth in tackles on a Mountaineer squad, which finished ranked 20th in the nation.
After making his name in West Virginia, the 6’2”, 205 pound linebacker started his pro career with the Tulsa Talons of af2 from 2003 to 2005 and earned an Arena Cup title in 2003. Thaxton made his first return trip to Pennsylvania playing for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2008. He he stayed in PA in 2009 and suited up for the then expansion Stampede. Despite playing in only 12 of the team's 14 games Thaxton led the Stampede in tackles and was named to the All-Pro Team.
He then headed south to Baltimore where he led the undefeated Mariners in tackles on their way to the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship.
Now back in the Quaker State with the Stampede, Thaxton is right at home leading the team in tackles and interceptions and has earned a solid reputation according to Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski, “He is an extremely well rounded player and he studies the game thoroughly. He is a very coachable and an outstanding team player.”
It appears Thax is back; indeed!