The most accurate kicker in AFL history is on the move for the 2011 season signing with the Orlando Predators.  Mark, who is from central Florida, returns home to join a Predators team that came just short of reaching the ArenaBowl last season.

In 2007, Lewis was named AFL Kicker of the Year and First Team All-Arena. Lewis’ career numbers include a 55.2 field goal percentage and 88.6 extra point percentage. Lewis spent 2010 with the Dallas Vigilantes where he led the league in extra point percentage last season, making 101 of his 107 attempts or 94.4%.  He ranked third with 0.6 field goals per game, just behind last year’s Predators kicker Carlos Martinez.

2010: Chris was signed midway through the 2010 Arena season appearing in a total of 5 games between the Chicago Rush and Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings.  Despite only playing in a minimal amount of games, Merkle was a solid contributor on defense as well as special teams, totaling 9 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles for the year.

2009: Merkle led the Red Hawks with eight sacks in addition to 80 total tackles.  A 3^rd Team All-American selection and 1^st Team All-Conference Selectio n, Merkle, an NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection, also accumulated 18.5 tackles for loss (of 81 yards) and two forced fumbles. Merkle finished 19th overall in tackles in the NJAC and was second in tackles for loss, third in sacks and sixth in fumbles caused. In eight of 11 games this season, Merkle collected six or more tackles, including a season-high 11 against Brockport. He also became the first MSU player since Shawn Roberts in 1997 to record four sacks in a game as he posted that numbers in a win over Morrisville State.

2008: First year at Montclair after transferring from Stony Brook, Chris had a great season amassing 53 tackles (9 for loss), 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception which landed him a spot on the All-Conference 2^nd Team.

2006 (Stony Brook): Chris recorded 41 tackles (4.5 for Loss) and 1 sack for the year after appearing in 10 games for the Seawolves.

2005 (Stony Brook): Had a great freshman year recording 67 tackles (10.5 for loss) to go along with 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.  Also, recording 7 pass breakups, aiding the pass defense…game high 11 tackles, 1 for loss, forced a fumble and had 1 pass break up versus Sacred Heart (10/22)… Recorded five tackles and a sack to help Stony Brook capture its first NEC championship with a win over CCSU (11/12)….made 13 total tackles in loss to Marist (11/19)…

2010 Season: Clifton played with the Chicago Rush for the 2010 season.  Clifton had a solid season at LB for the Rush totaling 18 solo tackles and 12 assisted along with 4.5 sacks, 3 pass blocks, 2 FFs, 1 FR and 1 blocked kick.  Clifton played fullback occasionally on goal line situations where he scored 5 rushing TDs on 7 carries.

Professional Bio:

As a professional football player, Clifton has been able to play professionally in various leagues during his career. Clifton’s first break came with the Washington Redskins in 2003. There he complimented a linebacker corps that included Jessie Armstead, LaVar Arrington, and Jeremiah Trotter. Clifton spent two seasons with the Redskins and then joined the Cleveland Browns roster in 2005. Clifton stayed another two years with the Browns and then was allocated to NFL Europe by the Browns to play with the Cologne Centurions in 2007.  With the Centurions, he recorded a league high three interceptions to go along with thirty eight (38) tackles for the 2007 NFL Europe season.  In 2008, Clifton joined the Arena Football League with the Philadelphia Soul. He recorded forty five (45) total tackles (33 solo), one interception and one sack. He also starred as the Soul’s fullback scoring ten rushing touchdowns for the 2008 season.

College Bio:

Upon entering Syracuse University, Clifton already possessed many accolades for his defensive play at linebacker.  In high school, he was named as the eleventh rated linebacker in Prep Star’s Top 100 Dream Team.  Clifton was also rated the eleventh best linebacker prospect in the nation by Super Prep and was also named Gridiron Greats top nine linebackers in the nation.  Clifton also was named a Reebok All-American and was named Player of the Year in New York by USA Today, Gatorade, and New York State Sportswriters.  At Syracuse, the accolades continued for Clifton.  He played in all eleven of the games at Syracuse and starting eight of those as a true freshman, as a result of his play, he was named first team Freshman All-American by the Sporting News.  As a sophomore, Clifton earned All Big East and All ECAC first team honors.  Clifton’s junior year brought more of the same for Clifton as he again earned All Big East and All ECAC first team honors in addition to being named the Insight.com Bowl’s Defensive Most Valuable Player.  In his final season at Syracuse, Clifton recorded eighty nine (89) solo tackles with 48 assists for a total of one hundred thirty seven (137).  He finished his college career at Syracuse ranking fifth in school history with four hundred five total tackles, third for tackles for loss with thirty six, and sixth all time at Syracuse for total tackles with two hundred forty four (244).