By By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
When the Carolina Stallions stampede into Choppy Wagner Stadium on Saturday to face the Durham Rattlers at 6 p.m., they will with a purpose.
The Stallions, a semi-professional football organization based out of Rocky Mount, help provide career guidance to young men, many of which are former area high school and college football stars.
“(Playing football) keeps them off the street,” said Stallions head coach Michael Wright.
Team members are encouraged to prepare for the future in a number of ways, including: receiving higher education, finishing up high school, completing GED classes or enrolling in technical programs.
Since the organization was founded in December 2002, four players have received scholarships to state universities and colleges, and two recently graduated from Elizabeth City State University.
The players are recruited mostly through word-of-mouth, according to Wright.
“Coaches will call us up and say, ‘This kid hasn’t been doing well at the books,” the head coach said. “We can help them.”
Team members are signed to one-year contracts, and can choose to stick with the Stallions or move on after the year is up. Wright said a lot of players stay around to learn more about themselves and the game of life.
The team is led by former Pam Pack star Fred Cobb, who is in his second year with the squad.
“He’s an outstanding lineman,” said Wright.
Cobb is joined on the Stallions by former Washington High School football standouts Phonzie Gibbs, Derrick Norfleet and Sedrick Cobb. Northside High School will be represented by Panther alum Derrick Leathers
Wright expects his area alums to play hard for the home crowd.
“I think the guys will do real well,” he said. “They’ve worked real hard.”
The Carolina Stallions, a member of the Colonial Football Alliance, will be facing an experienced Durham Rattlers team in Saturday’s matinee out-of-conference matchup.
“We know we’re going to have a pretty good contest down there on Saturday,” Wright said.
The head coach said to look for a lot of hard-nosed running behind Fred Cobb and the offensive line.
“I put those big hogs to work up front,” Wright said.
Tickets for the game can be purchased at Washington High School for $7 in advance or for $10 at the stadium gate. The stadium’s concession stand will be open throughout the game and the game will feature a halftime musical performance.
CAROLINA STALLIONS FOOTBALL ORGANIZATION
2009 Season Schedule
Date Home/away Opponent Site
June 20 Neutral Durham Rattlers Choppy Wagner Stadium

June 27 Home Fayetteville Ruff Ryders Nash Central
July 11 Away Iradell Warriors Mooresville
JULY 18 Home Montgomery County (Md.) Rams Nash Central
July 25 Away Virginia Hornets Richmond
August 1 Away Southern Virginia Trojans Virginia Beach
August 8 Away Upper Marlboro Nokotas Upper Marlboro, Md.

August 15 Away Maryland Colts Hampden, Md.

August 22 Home Maryland Sting Nash Central
August 29 Home Chesapeake Bay Hawks Nash Central
Sept. 5 Home Virginia Hornets Nash Central

Sept. 12 Bye
Sept. 19 Away Montgomery County Rams Rockville, Md.
Sept. 26 Home Southern Virginia Trojans

OCT. 10, 17 Playoffs

HOME FIELD LOCATION:
Nash Central High School
Old Carriage Road
Rocky Mount
Games start at 7 p.m.
Class – AAA / Level – Minor League
Colonial Football League
For tickets, call: 252-454-0986