New Sports-Reality Show “The Ride” to Begin Airing Nationally First Week of November

Philadelphia Football Standout Stokes to Star on Reality Show on Fox Sports Net

October 27, 2009 (Wharton, NJ) – The most exciting reality show to hit the field since HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and MTV’s “Two-a-Days” begins airing on Fox Sports Net affiliates across the country the first week of November. “The Ride” is a first-of-its-kind sports-reality show to select the nation’s best under-the-radar prep quarterback in a gradual-elimination format throughout the show’s 10-week series. The show puts eight high school quarterbacks from all walks of life and experiences on a journey through intense training and instruction from America’s top quarterback coaches that could ultimately earn one of them the ultimate prep high school award, a roster spot in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “The Ride” is created by Backfield Productions, a partnership between SportsLink, the company that produces the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and Football University, and Aurora Imaging of Philadelphia.

Malik Stokes, a quarterback from Northeast High School (Philadelphia) will be one of the eight high school signal-callers competing for a spot in the game. Stokes is the younger brother of 2009 U.S. Army All-American Ja’Ron Stokes, who is now a wide receiver at the University of Michigan. As a junior in 2008, Stokes played through a hindering MCL injury; as a sophomore in 2007, he went 78-for-156 for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns and earned First Team All-City honors in Philadelphia.

“The Ride” will be available in more than 50 million homes across the country, airing on numerous Fox Sports Net and Comcast Sports Net regional networks. Check local listings. Gannett’s HighSchoolSports.net, digital partner to “The Ride,” will be the exclusive host to the “The Ride” online, including profiles, behind-the-scenes photos and episodes (www.highschoolsports.net).

“A great quarterback can be made. This show is essentially testing this idea of truly making and developing a great quarterback – technically, physically and emotionally,” said Tom Martinez, an instructor in “The Ride” and long-time tutor to NFL great Tom Brady. “We’ve all spent lots of time with these eight kids. It’s still early, but I believe we can make at least one of them an All-American, truly giving him a life-changing opportunity. I personally have my eye on one kid with a big-time NFL arm. I think we can develop him all the way.”

Instructors/judges for “The Ride” include Tom Martinez, the quarterback guru who trained Tom Brady since the age of 12; Mike Kruczek, former Steelers quarterback, who privately trained Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan; Larry Kennan, former NFL quarterback coach and private tutor for Drew Brees, Alex Smith and Eli Manning; Sam Wyche, former Bengals head coach and quarterback coach for the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills; and Glenn Smith, a long-time NFL assistant coach, mainly with the Dallas Cowboys. Special guests include Ron Jaworski, former Eagles quarterback and current Monday Night Football analyst, and Vince Papale, the former Eagles wide receiver who inspired the film Invincible..

All eight quarterbacks started at Football University’s Philadelphia camp in June, where they experienced three days of instruction including on-field technique drills, classroom testing, and skills sessions.  Four quarterbacks moved on to Football University’s all-star camp “Top Gun”, which took place this summer in Orlando.  Three of the four will be followed closely throughout their high school football season, measuring their success and growth – or setbacks – along the way. Two athletes will move on to the Aloha Prep Classic played in Hawaii’s Aloha Stadium in December. Having exhibited All-American ability and status, he will earn a spot on the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl roster and stake claim to being one of the nation’s top football players.

C.J. Bennett: He doesn’t exactly pass the eyeball test at a shade over six-foot but the central-Florida bred Bennett has a strong arm and makes good decisions in the pocket. Several smaller programs are looking at him but many larger programs are scared off by his lack of height. A good student, Bennett reminds many of a younger Doug Flutie.

Cody Fajardo: With no offers, Fajardo has the prototypical size to be a pocket quarterback. Good arm strength, Fajardo is surprisingly fast and good with his feet. Another solid student, he is an all-around good kid from a program that regularly produces U.S. Army All-Americans.

William Fiacchi: Marcellus, New York has never produced a Division 1 player ever and Fiacchi has his mind set on breaking that snide. With an All-American look, Fiacchi projects as a pro-style pocket passer at the next level and has the arm strength to prove it. Needs work on his feet but has all the right tools to play at the next level.

Collin Jones: Long and lanky, Jones has tremendous upside based on his pure athleticism. A star on the track, he’s a tremendous athlete capable of making plays and changing games. He’s raw technically speaking but is very coachable. Currently holds no major offers. Perhaps the most under-the-radar of the bunch.

Cole Marcoux: New York is known for producing stars on the hardcourt and this Bronx native has this perception working against him. He chose football over baseball and has a tremendous upside due to his strong frame and stature. An outstanding student with a 3.94 G.P.A., Marcoux holds no major offers yet but has a cannon of an arm and size that you can’t teach. Football in the city is on the rise, and Marcoux is an example of this trend.

Hutson Mason: He won player of the year honors in Georgia last year but that doesn’t stop Mason from being a free spirit – and the camera loves it! Considered the best quarterback in the “Peach State”, Mason holds several offers but is still raw. With refinement, he could be a more highly recruited player.

Marcus McDade: A product of the always strong program in Stockton, California, McDade is just now getting his chance to shine after sitting behind a D1 recruit last year. He’s another lanky, pro-style quarterback who needs time to develop but has all the right tools to succeed. Don’t let his babyface fool you, McDade throws a nice ball and is competitive in the pocket.

Malik Stokes: A bit undersized but very solid technique; Stokes has always been in the shadow of his brother Je’Ron, an U.S. Army All-American and a four-star recruit who is playing at Michigan. His technique needs work but he’s got the intangibles and the bloodline to succeed.

DIGITAL PARTNER

HighSchoolSports.Net (www.highschoolsports.net)

“The Ride” will be produced by Backfield Productions, LLC, a partnership of Sportslink and Philadelphia-based Aurora Imaging Company.

Aurora Imaging Company is a multimedia studio with extensive television production and sports media experience. Aurora Imaging has assembled talented production and post-production teams from among the best names in sports television: NFL Films, NBA Entertainment, NASCAR Images, MLB Productions, CN8 Sports, ESPN and several others.

SportsLink produces and oversees many high school and youth sporting events and properties, including the U.S. Army All-American Bowl (televised live on NBC), U.S Army National Combine, Football University, FBU Youth All-American Bowl (streamed live on the web) and Five-Star Basketball, among others.

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CONTACTS:

Kristian Dyer, 862-703-1050, kdyer@allamericangames.com

Greg Hughes, 404-394-3700, ghughes5425@gmail.com

Amy Sorrells, 404-550-4885; amyssorrells@comcast.net