Lone Star Football League

By Steven Berkowsky |  Abilene Report News  | Posted January 22, 2012 at 3 a.m.

Meetings continued Saturday in Abilene among Lone Star Football League officials, of which the Ruff Riders are a member, with the focus on cooperation among league members off the field while being competitive and entertaining on it.

The Ruff Riders will be competing in the LSFL this year after spending last season in the now-defunct Southern Indoor Football League. They are coached by Joe Brannen, who started last season as the team's starting quarterback before finishing as the head coach.

A major topic was how to best market the league and teams and make it more fan-friendly. The season begins March 31.

The LSFL has teams in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Mesquite, Amarillo, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Houston and Odessa.

The meetings, which included representatives from all eight teams and Commissioner Darlene Jones, covered all aspects of league operations from marketing to advertising to promotions to the product on the field, all with the goal of making the league successful.

"These meetings are geared toward all our staff," said Scott Anderson, spokesman for the Ruff Riders' ownership group. "The owners' focus would mainly be on sales and running the teams, with the GMs and coaches focusing on their areas."

Anderson said a big difference between the Lone Star Football League and the Riders' previous leagues is the belief that the league will succeed or fail due the strength of all its teams and the fact that the teams own the league.

"Every team was at the table when it got formed," Anderson said. "So we got all the disagreements out of the way and that's done. So now we can focus on making the league successful."

This spirit of cooperation has allowed veteran LSFL members to share what works and what doesn't with new members. Anderson credits acting general manager Randy Sanders for his efforts on the promotions front.

The team will have a different giveaway at all home games and will offer discounted ticket packages available through the Abilene Youth Football League.

Ultimately, success will be judged by the team's performance on the field and by the number of fans in the stands.

Brannen and his coaching staff — defensive coordinator Wali Mumin, receivers coach Sol Southall, offensive line coach Doug Bond and defensive line coach Winkie James — are committed to putting together a roster heavy on local talent.

Among the early signees were a pair of former Abilene Christian players, Harold Jackson and Shawn Taylor, along with quarterback Larry Dockery, who was with the team last year.

"I think recruiting-wise, we're where we want to be at this point," said Brannen. "We've got a good amount of local guys and a good amount of indoor and arena veterans. Attention to detail and organization is the key. We've got a great coaching staff and a great group of players.

"What we're looking for is players who want to be winners on the field and in the community, and I think we're well ahead of where we want to be on that."

Meetings conclude today. The Ruff Riders host Corpus Christi in their season opener March 31.