By: Matthew Hester
Media Relations Director
Southern Indoor Football League

LAKE CHARLES, LA (February 20, 2010) – The Louisiana Swashbucklers of the Southern Indoor Football League is pleased to welcome back six members of a the defense that will help try and defend its title.

Winning in Lake Charles has been an annual rite of summer and with the start of training camp on March 7th, the Bucs will begin their third title defense with the start of the 2010 season on March 20th.  Helping defend that title will be some core members of their previous three championship squads including most from a defense that finished tops in total defense.

Brandon Thomas (6’1 190) returns to the Bucs secondary after leading the defense in 2009 with seven interceptions.  2010 will mark his third consecutive season with the club and has collected fourteen interceptions during his stint with Louisiana.

John Paul Jones (6’2 280, McNeese State University) comes back to lead the Black and Purple Gang after leading the SIFL in sacks with fourteen last season.  This will be Jones fourth season with the Bucs and during his previous three seasons he has gathered 31.5 sacks and 105 tackles (78 solo).

Mike English (6’0 210) will also make the 2010 season his fourth consecutive with the Bucs.  Throughout his stint with Louisiana, English has amassed 118 tackles (105 solo) along with seven interceptions.

Phillip O’Neal (5’10 210) has been a part of the Swashbucklers past three championship seasons and will make 2010 his fifth consecutive season with the club.  O’Neal has racked up 51 tackles (39 solo) and three interceptions.  Phillip has also proved to be vital on the offensive side of the ball bringing in another 20 touchdowns offensively in the past four seasons.

Training camp for the Louisiana Swashbucklers will begin on March 7th as the Bucs prepare for their title defense beginning on March 20th as they host the Houston Lightning at the Smuggler’s Den at 7:00 PM.

For more information about Bucs season tickets, log on to www.labucs.com or call the front office at 337-310-7277.

For more information about this and much more from around the Southern Indoor Football League, be sure to visit www.southernifl.com or become our friend on the Ning network at www.siflfanzone.ning.com.