In three weeks, football will return to the Brewton area as the Escambia Spartans will make their football debut in the Premier South Football League.
The Spartans are in their first year as a semi-pro football organization. The team is based out of Brewton and consists of players from Brewton, East Brewton, Monroeville, Andalusia, Century, Flomaton, Atmore, Frisco City, Evergreen and other surrounding areas. The players have also played for their respected high schools in these cities.
According to Raj Parmar of the Spartans, a home field for the team is still under negotiations.
“Originally we got the OK from W.S. Neal and the superintendent to play at W.S. Neal,” Parmar said. “However, with the recent changes of a new coach and athletic director there, we are working on our alternates.”
The team will play in the PSFL Jamboree this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pensacola High School.
The regular season kickoff for the Spartans will be Saturday, April 30.
The PSFL has four divisions: The Pioneer, Gulf, Sunshine and Central division. The Spartans will be in the Gulf division with other teams the Gulf Coast Pirates, Prichard Falcons, Louisiana Power and the Mississippi Warhawks.
Jerick Cooper, a Pike County High School graduate and Stillman College alum will be the owner and player and serve as running back.
Willie (Jodey) Campbell of Hillcrest in Evergreen is the head coach and defensive coordinator and Marty Long, a 1979 graduate of W.S. Neal and former Eagle coach from 1996-2002 will serve as offensive coordinator.
Assistant defensive coach will be Mickey Powell of Flomaton and Parmar will serve as assistant coach. Other coaches are: Jeff Williams – Assistant Coach, Randy Taylor – Special Teams Coach, Coach Shakespear – Assistant Coach.
Several former W.S. Neal and T.R. Miller players make of the roster of the Spartans.
Of W.S. Neal, Sedrick Samuel will play quarterback along with Willie Samuel who will play quarterback and running back.
Cortez Banks of T.R. Miller will play wide receiver, cornerback, kick and punt returner. Johntae Brown of T.R. Miller will play defensive line.
Seth Holland, a 2008 T.R. Miller graduate, will be a kicker, punter, cornerback, safety, running back and wide receiver.
Justin Smith of W.S. Neal will be strong safety and running back. Marcus Jones of T.R. Miller High will play linebacker and tight end.
Other players include: Victor Mckenzie of Atmore, Charlie (CJ) Baker of Andalusia, Brandon Page of Monroe County High, Jermel Mims of S.W. Sexton High in Michigan.
Patrick Cunningham, Jermaine Rodger, Jarvis Straughn all from Hillcrest in Evergreen, Farrin Jackson of Northivew High School, Gentry Dailey of Frisco City,
Quamic Richard, Josh House of Troy University, Terrance Carter of Flomaton, Trent Freeman of Northview, Roderick Burden of Charles Henderson High School, Michael Berry of Andalusia, Robert Horton, Therman Bencon of Flomaton, Quamie Richard of Frisco City, Allen Spears of Flomaton, Devaris Skanes, Roy Cannon of Booker T. Washington High, Daniez Roberts, Jermaine Lett of Monroe County High,
Darrell Jones, Jason Jackson, Anthony Hadley, Christian Goldsmith of Andalusia High, and Javan Lacey of Andalusia High. Rickey Terrell of Monroe County High, Bryan Garcia, Jerry Stallworth, Jametielle Lacey of Andalusia, Brian Raymond of Monroe County High, Chris Lee, Terry Harvey Jr., and Meshad Bullock.
The Spartans will play a 10-game schedule with three byes. The schedule has five home games and five away and will begin April 30 and end July 23.
The 2011 schedule is as followed:
• Saturday, April 30, Gulf Coast Pirates, Home
• Saturday, May 7, Louisiana Power, Away
• Saturday, May 14, Bye
• Saturday, May 21, Mississippi Warhawks, Away
• Saturday, May 28, Bye
• Saturday, June 4, Prichard Falcons, Away
• Saturday, June 11, Northwest Falcons, Away
• Saturday, June 18, Crestview Thunderbolts, Home
• Saturday, June 25, Tri County Bulldogs, Home
• Monday, July 4, Bye
• Saturday, July 9, Louisiana Power, Home
• Saturday, July 16, Panhandle Crusaders, Away
• Saturday, July 23, Northwest Falcons, Home
Players must be at least 18 years of age to participate and there are still a few spots remaining to complete 55-man roster
For more information please visit the website or contact the team by email at escspartans@yahoo.com or the league website: www.thepsfl.com.
Another contact is parmarvideo@gmail.com.