The Erie Explosion opened Training Camp this week on the campus of Edinboro University as fourty-five athletes compete to make the team's final roster. The Explosion will practice over the next two weeks leading up to the teams first game of the SIFL season on the road March 20th vs. the Harrisburg Stampede. The Explosion are committed to attracting and recruiting the best quality talent possible, and are very pleased to announce that four players from their roster are currently competing in the Arena Football League. "It is always a positive anytime one of our athletes receives a chance to compete at a higher level. I think it speaks volumes about the kind of talent we are able to attract to our franchise in Erie, and the type of product we are committed to putting on the field each week. I am excited about our current roster and I feel we have many more deserving players who will be advancing their careers in the near future", commented Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta. Joe Blanks - (6'3, 330) Offensive Line- Winston Salem State Blanks, an Erie Cathedral Prep Graduate was a vital cog in the Erie protection unit that only allowed 20 sacks in 525 pass attempts during the 2010 season. Blanks is currently on the roster of the Dallas Vigilantes of the Arena Football League. Lenny Wicks - (5'10, 190) Defensive Back - Youngstown State Wicks, a native of Pittsburgh and the younger brother of Explosion defensive back Eric Wicks, signed with Erie in January 2010 following a stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Wicks is currently on the roster of the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League. Jamar Foulks- (6'4, 340) Offensive Line - Mansfield Foulks, a former All-PSAC performer at Mansfield University, who has prior indoor experience in Wheeling and Erie is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League. Denayne Dixon- (6'4, 255) Wide Receiver - Edinboro University Dixon, a native of Cleveland and graduate of Edinboro University where he was a Cactus Bowl All-Star representative, played for the Erie Storm in 2010. Appearing in nine games with Erie, Dixon finished with 55 catches for 703 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dixon is currently a member of the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. The Erie Explosion, proud members of the Southern Indoor Football League will open the season on the road on March 20th vs. the Harrisburg Stampede. Tickets are available now for the home opener on Saturday April 9th vs. the Trenton Steel. For more information on the Erie Explosion please visit www.erieexplosion.com
