Wildcats continue to add talent
By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle
With their inaugural season drawing near, the Winston-Salem Wildcats are visibly getting better.
Last week the team announced they had come to contract terms with linebacker Donnie Owens.
According to team representatives, there were issues with initial contract negotiations, but both sides have now reached an agreement.
Posts on numerous social media platforms suggest the team is happy to have Owens join the city’s first indoor football team.
The 6’3, 295-pound Owens is very familiar with the city. From 2011 until 2013 he was a team captain for Winston-Salem State University. Owens was a pivotal part of a Rams defense that was arguably the best in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference. During his senior season, the run-stopper from Fayetteville led the Rams in sacks and was an All-CIAA selection.
In 2013 Owens was also selected to play in the NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl in Carson, CA. The game is designed to give college seniors a chance to show their talents to college scouts and coaches.
In limited action, Owens proved he is a force to be reckoned with. He finished the game with an impressive three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble.
Although he has split time between linebacker and defensive line in the past, Owens is expected to play linebacker full-time with the Wildcats.
In 2016 the Wildcats will compete in the American Indoor Football (AIF) league and will play their home games inside the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Annex.
AIF CEO John Morris said he was proud to bring the organization to the Winston-Salem community.
“We are cementing our footprint in the South,” he continued. “With this addition to the league, the AIF blueprint for success is further cemented.”
According AIF league officials, other key additions to the team’s roster last week include Roosevelt Harvin of Asheville and Rockshawn McNeil of Lithonia GA.
The next open tryout will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, at the D1 Sports Training facility located at 1901 Mooney St. For more information on the Wildcats or to pre register for the tryout call (336) 722-4354 or (336) 582-9440.
