Conqueror tryouts kick off Saturday

The Conquerors, Houma’s new Southern Indoor Football League team, has begun to take shape in the month since its introductory news conference.

That shape is similar to that of the defunct Bayou Bucks team that played in Houma from 2002-04.

The Conquerors hired former Buck Troy Martin as offensive line coach and quality control manager, and Clyde Maiden, director of player personnel and scouting, last month

Its biggest need – players – will be filled Saturday when the Conquerors hold tryouts at the East Houma Recreation Center, 126 Boundary Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pre-registration to try out is $40 and is payable on the team’s Web site, www.houmaconquerors.com/Tryouts.php. Walk-up registration is $45. Participants are asked to bring their own cleats and proper attire.

“The team roster is wide open. We want to give everybody a fair chance and show what they can do,” said Franklin Thomas Jr., Conquerors’ owner and head coach. “We’re going to have a total roster of 25, but the game day roster will be 21. So we’ll keep a couple of guys on the practice squad.”

Thomas noted that he would begin signing players over the next few weeks.

Announcements about signed players will be posted on the team’s Web site.

One player Thomas definitely knows he will sign is former Bayou Bucks linebacker and defensive end Tim Betts.

Betts, who played for the Bucks from 2002-04, will be a defensive end for the Conquerors

“He’s a proven veteran in indoor football,” Thomas said. “He’s still young enough to play, and he still lives in the community. We’ve already talked to him. It’s just a matter of paperwork to get him signed.”

Another former Buck, kicker Chris Stropolo, has contacted Thomas about trying out for the Conquerors.

The tryouts are open to the public.

Martin was an offensive lineman during the Bucks’ three years in Houma.

He played for two championship teams – Louisiana Beast of the Professional Indoor Football League (1998) and the Mississippi Firedogs of the National Indoor Football League (2000).

Maiden (coach C.J. as former players refer to him) was an offensive coordinator for the Firebirds from 1999-2001, winning two indoor football titles in 2000 and 2001.

Thomas was on the 2000 team. Maiden was the Bucks offensive coordinator from 2002-04.

Maiden will also be an offensive consultant and work with the wide receivers.

The defensive coordinator position is still vacant. Thomas hopes team consultant and former New Orleans Saints quarterback John Fourcade will fill the post.

The Conquerors also announced that it would donate a portion of this season’s ticket sales and plan other fundraising events in 2009 with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

“My mother and father (Janice and Franklin Thomas Sr.) passed away from cancer,” Thomas said. “So that was one of the things I wanted to get set up in the community.”

“We’re very excited about that opportunity to give back.”