West Sacramento, CA - The River City Gators announced the signing and activation of Sacramento native and Arena Football League Free Agent defensive back, Mervin Brookins today. Brookins played for the AFL’s Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz in 2010, the AFL's Stockton Lightning and the River City Gators in 2009. Prior to his professional career, Brookins attended Kansas-based Bethel College and Sacramento City College. His agent, Chris Johnson said, “Our focus is to get him reaccelerated to outdoor football. We want to get him doing what he does best: shutting down receivers, intercepting passes, and returning kicks. We need to prove to scouts and general managers that he is every bit the real d

The UFL Draft will be held on June 2. It will consist of 12 rounds. Each of the 5 UFL teams will have one pick in each round, thus adding 12 players to each roster. Each team also has 20 players returning from last season under protected status, and looks to add as many as 20 players through free agency. Many of those free agents will come from the NFL. A source close to the league says that as many as 52 players have already been invited to each team’s minicamp. That minicamp is scheduled to begin for all teams on June 8 in Arizona. At the Sacramento Mountain Lions open tryout at Natomas High School on May 15, Head Coach Dennis Green said that each team had 74 total spots on the roster

The River City Gators, Sacramento's minor league football team, faced the East Bay Outlaws in Oakley on Saturday. Despite missing a number of key players due to injury, and resting several others, the Gators defeated the Outlaws 48-6. With the win, the Gators improved their record to 7-1 and clinched their division. With a bye week under way, the Gators are set to return to action on June 5 on the road in Santa Rosa versus the 2009 minor league national champion Northbay Rattlers. A steady wind and intermittent rain throughout the East Bay presented a number of challenges on Saturday. Injuries to starting quarterback Blake Mori and wide receiver Kyle Providence reduced the number of offen

On Saturday, the River City Gators lost to the Pacifica Islanders 26-21. The end of the Gators' winning streak came after many players participated in the UFL's open tryout for the Sacramento Mountain Lions. Despite leading 7-6 in the second quarter and 21-19 late in the game, the Gators defense was unable to stop the powerful Islanders offense. Gators quarterback Blake Mori made several poor decisions that resulted in turnovers. His arm looked burned out from the Mountain Lions tryout. He barely threw warm-up passes before the game. During the game, he misread several defensive schemes and often failed to check his three and four receivers. Oftentimes during the game, it appeared as thou

West Sacramento, CA – On Saturday night, the River City Gators extended their winning streak to 6-0 by defeating the Stockton Trojans 49-14 at River City Stadium. The Gators gained 454 yards of offense and scored seven touchdowns on 52 plays. Quarterback Blake Mori completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 286 yards and 5 touchdowns. Quarterback Robert Arthur completed 3 of 8 pass attempts for an additional 67 yards. The Gators spread the ball around. Paris Warren caught 6 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown. Cam’ron Mbewa caught 5 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Providence caught 4 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown. Byron Wallace caught one pass for 21 yards and one touch

West Sacramento, CA – Paris Warren held a brief press conference Friday afternoon alongside River City Gators Head Coach Charlie Ruiz and the Gators owners group regarding his decision to return to Sacramento and to sign with the Gators. After the conference, he sat down for an exclusive Sacramento Press interview. SP: When did you return to Sacramento, and what have you been doing since your return? PW: I came back to Sac in early December 2009. I’ve been training ever since. Been playing lots of basketball, trying to get into basketball shape; football shape is easy. SP: Basketball, are you a Kings fan? PW: Of course I’m a Kings fan, I’m from Sac. I’m looking forward to going to ga

West Sacramento, CA - The River City Gators announced the signing of Sacramento native, and former NFL wide receiver, Paris Warren today.  The actual signing took place on the Gators' practice field Wednesday night at 8:30pm.  Warren was drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005, and remained with the team until 2008.  Thereafter he spent time with the Dallas Cowboys (2008), again with Tampa Bay (2009), and the New Orleans Saints (2009).  He also played for the UFL's Orlando-based Florida Tuskers in 2009. Prior to his professional career, Paris Warren attended for the University of Oregon, where, as a freshman, he played football for the Ducks.  In accordance with

West Sacramento, CA - The River City Gators announced the signing former California State University - San Diego wide receiver, Wesley Williams today.  The signing officially took place on Wednesday night at 8:30pm on the Gators' practice field.  Born in Sacramento, Williams grew up in Fairfield, played at San Joaquin Delta College, before initially choosing to attend Purdue University.  Circumstances caused him to sign on and play for the San Diego State Aztecs; however, sources say he was recruited by the University of Louisville (Kentucky), the University of Colorado, and Auburn (Alabama). River City Gators Head Coach, Charlie Ruiz says, "From a position standpoint, Williams solidifie

On Saturday, May 1st, the River City Gators extended their winning treat to 5-0 by defeating Oakland's Nor Cal Lawmen 30-7 on the road.  The game was played in what can perhaps most simply be described as a hostile environment.  "It's difficult enough being on the road," one player said, as heckles from the crowd turned into personal attacks.  NCFL Chairman Jason Kang expressed unhappiness with the lack of crowd control and security. Let's get a few things straight.  The central part of Oakland, off Broadway and near Oakland Technical High School, is an area I would prefer not to travel through alone at night.  I arrived on scene at 12:30pm and had a number of wonderful interactions with

On Saturday, April 24th, the River City Gators extended their winning streak to 4-0 by defeating the Marin Bulldogs 59-19 on the road in Marin.  The Gators overcame a slow start after what was a relatively light week of practice.  The game featured the return of Gators star wide receiver, #11 Kyle Providence, who missed the previous game due to UFL tryouts for the Las Vegas Locomotives.  Gators quarterback, and former California State University - Sacramento player, #14 Blake Mori, split time with fellow quarterback, #18 Robert Arthur.  While both seemed to struggle at times, the two-headed monster proved unstoppable. It has long been said that a quarterback is only as good as the wide re

Traditionalists will tell you that football season is in the fall.  Here in Sacramento, however, there is a roster of men who will tell you football season is right now!  The River City Gators football team is Sacramento's premier semi-pro football franchise.  A member of the Northern California Football League, the Gators have been in the community for a good part of the last decade.  A quick check of the roster confirms that this is no pushover team of kids looking to toss the pigskin around on Saturdays.  The offensive line weighs in at an average of 294.1 lbs.  The defensive line weighs in at an average of 274.5 lbs.  The Tallest offensive lineman is 6'5", and the tallest defensive l