Duke Pettijohn (45) is a linebacker and fullback for the Dallas Desparados.
Pettijohn and Simpkins Have Sights Set on Arena Bowl XXI
7/5/2007 4:53:19 PM | Football
Former Syracuse University football standouts Duke Pettijohn and Rickie Simpkins have unfinished business. The pair will take the field this weekend for the Dallas Desperados in the Arena Football League playoffs. The Desperados, who became the first team in league history to finish the regular season with a 15-1 record, will play the Columbus Destroyers in a Divisional Round game on Saturday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.
“We have a bad taste in our mouth from last year and we just want to finish it this year,” Simpkins said. “We can’t take anybody lightly. We have to play everybody the same.”
The Desperados finished the 2006 regular season 13-3 before losing to the Orlando Predators in the conference championship. Having the league’s best record for the second straight year won’t mean much to the Desperados unless they can produce a championship.
A three-year letterwinner, Pettijohn was successful at Syracuse. The two-time All-BIG EAST selection accumulated 105 tackles and is third all-time on the SU sack list with 24.5. Pettijohn, who began his AFL career with the Predators, has spent his last four seasons in Dallas as a fullback and linebacker. For the second straight season, Pettijohn has been named to the AFL All-Arena and All-Ironman teams. Pettijohn finished the 2007 regular season with 43.5 tackles and six sacks. He knows he will have to bring the same intensity into the playoffs.
“It’s definitely a key to keep focused and eliminate our mistakes,” Pettijohn said. “We want to have an undefeated record in the playoffs.”
Simpkins earned three letters at Syracuse and, as a senior, earned All-BIG EAST honors and led all BIG EAST defensive linemen in tackles per game averaging 7.7. In his seventh season in the AFL, Simpkins has registered 16.5 tackles while contributing to the offensive line as well. Simpkins cites much of his success to the preparation he received at Syracuse.
“I had three different line coaches and I still use something from each one of them to this day,” Simpkins said. “The work ethic that I developed at Syracuse is still with me.”
Two other former SU football standouts, Wilky Bazile and Jerry Sharp, are playing in the AFL, as well. Bazile and Sharp both wrapped up their 13th seasons in the AFL last weekend. Bazile is a member of the New Orleans VooDoo, while Sharp plays for the Arizona Rattlers.
“It’s an exciting game and it’s exciting to be a part of something that’s new as far as people getting to know what arena football is,” Bazile said.
Sharp recorded three tackles in 2007 for the Rattlers. Sharp was prepared for the iron man style of the AFL from his position switch at Syracuse. As a freshman, Sharp played nose guard and moved to the offensive line as a sophomore. Playing both ways made the AFL attractive to Sharp.
“Initially, I think that (playing both ways) is what got me into the arena league and it’s why I’ve stayed so long,” Sharp said.
The AFL offers an exciting and unique experience, but according to Sharp, it’s tough to live up to the Syracuse football atmosphere.
“Back in my day, there’s nothing that could compare to the Carrier Dome,” Sharp said.
The four AFL Syracuse representatives enjoy different things during the off-season. Last off-season, Pettijohn worked with kids at the Nelson Early Child Treatment Center to gain experience in the field of child development. Bazile and Sharp enjoy acting. Both played roles in The Longest Yard, and Sharp also acted in Any Given Sunday.
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