Published: June 12, 2009 05:35 pm      

Stark Tigers hit the field tonight

ORANGE — It’s only fitting.

The Stark Tigers playing at the old Stark High Football Stadium.

Minor League Football is back in Southeast Texas and the Stark Tigers look to bring out some heavy hits and big plays at the West Orange-Stark Middle School Stadium.

Organizer Dameon Morris, a former Little Cypress-Mauriceville standout running back, is heading up the team, which will compete in the SAFL (Southern American Football League).

“We’re excited about the whole deal,” said Morris. “We have so many players from the area that can help us create a nice fan base.”

The Stark Tiger name was an easy fit as well.

“It really should be a nice blast from the past,” said Morris. “We’re going to play in those original-looking Stark High Tiger uniforms and helmets. Our area has such a rich tradition so why not go back to the roots and let people remember the great days of the past along with the present.”

The Tigers have been working out now for nearly two months.

They’ve been practicing at the Willie Ray Smith Field in Beaumont on Thursdays and at WO-S Middle School Stadium on Tuesdays.

“We’ve got a tremendous mix of players, many from the Orange area and many from the Beaumont area,” said Morris. “Practicing at both locations have helped out a lot due to travel and such. We’ve got 40 excellent players that are ready to hit the field come Saturday.”

The Tigers will face the Austin Gamebreakers at WO-S Middle School Stadium today at 7 p.m. in a tuneup game.

“We look forward to people coming out Saturday and watching the Tigers play,” said Morris. “We’re going to have halftime entertainment and a concession stand. There is going to be some good football being played. It will be fun for the entire family.”

Tickets will be $5 for folks 13-and-up and $2 for those under 13.

The Tigers will be playing in a SAFL division that will also feature teams from Longview, Abbeville, La.; St. Charles, La.; Lafayette, La.; and Lake Charles, La.

“We’re going to play each team twice, once at home and once on the road,” said Morris. “There are actually 16 teams in the whole league, we’ve got to make the playoffs to see any other teams that are out there.”

The Tigers have two more preseason games after tonight.

They will face the Texas Bulldogs (Hutto) June 20 and will visit the SAFL Kingaree (New Orleans) on July 18.

The Tigers will open up SAFL play July 25 at the East Texas Outlaws (Longview) and will host their first SAFL game Aug. 1 against the Tri-City Parish Crusaders.

Here is the roster for the Stark Tigers and the school they attended and played at in high school:

Jeremy Bluiett, West Brook; Mike Feacher, Central; James McCray, Central; Jeremic Wilson, Silsbee; Tyler Thibodeaux, WO-S; J. Walker, WO-S; Chris Weldon, Central; Daniel Hayes, Ozen; Josh Turner, WO-S; Quincy Wilson, Silsbee; Mike Warnell, WO-S; Joe Castle, Ozen; Jeremy Hawkins, Central; Desmond Doss, Silsbee; Rasheed Dennis, WO-S; Chad Smith, LC-M; Jeff Steward, LC-M; Josh Chargois, LC-M; Billy Jackson, Kelly, Jimmy Collier, Central; Todd Rigsby, Central; Joe Chapman, Central, Stedman Williams, Ozen; Bryan Nicholas, WO-S; Merrick Brown, Central; Turquoy Riggs, WO-S; Mario Rose, WO-S; Phillip Morris, LC-M; Gerald Robinson, WO-S; Derrick Crozier, Woodville; Carl Nicholas, Central; Marktavin Robinson, Central; Derek Johnson, Central; Earvin Walker, WO-S; Adrian Mims, WO-S; Glenn Williams, Central; Marcus Turner, WO-S; and Sovesta Winston, Central.