BLACKSBURG, VA - At the end of Season 2, the Blacksburg Ballers announced the most shocking free agent signing of Baller history when they announced the signing of wide receiver Ryan Betesta from the USA AAA #2's Gilroy Devils. Fans rejoiced at what would give the Ballers passing game a big boost. Today, fans are shocked and horrified to find the news that Ryan Betesta has been dealt to the rival defending CPL Champs, the Arctic Bay Yetis for cornerback Rhys Clennon.
Betesta joined the Ballers following a breakout 2nd season where he caught 172 passes for 1,921 yards and 14 touchdowns, league leader in both categories. Betesta's presence was immediately felt on the Ballers field as he and QB Khari Jones connected 111 times for 1,423 yards and 11 touchdowns, both of which were new Ballers records at the time. Betesta was the pillar of a successful passing attack which saw the Ballers go 16-0 and take the conference championship before falling to the Arctic Bay Yetis in the AAA #2 League Championship game. Khari Jones would benefit most from Betesta that season taking 2nd place in both league TD's and league yards behind Yetis QB Jamarcus Russell.
Betesta would set the bar even higher in season 4, the Ballers first CPL season, matching his previous season of 111 catches but this time going for 1,497 yards and 14 touchdowns breaking his own records. Khari would also pick up individual awards with this effective passing attack. The trade comes as a shock to Ballers fans who were getting ready for Betesta to take it even further in season 5.
"I can understand how the fans are feeling because this may appear to be a huge loss on the surface. Betesta has been an important part of this offense but as a team, it is our job to deal with our issues and pass defense gave us some trouble and we had the opportunity to correct that with a great player trade for Yetis CB Rhys Clennon and we took advantage of this, " Owner Mike told the Press.
The Ballers defense allowed almost 4,000 passing yards last season and 22 touchdowns while only recording 15 interceptions, a big change from the defense we saw in season 3. More importantly, the Ballers D had several 4th quarter meltdowns including the Moose Jaw loss where Blacksburg allowed 4 rushing touchdowns in the 4th and the North Delta victory where the Ballers allowed 500 passing yards as well as 3 passing touchdowns in the 4th quarter to send the game to overtime. In Rhys Clennon, the Ballers hope to stop the bleeding with a shutdown corner who had 6 interceptions last season and 20 overall as a Yetis.
"I'm a team player first and foremost and I believe that this is in the best option of the team.
The coaches understand where our problems lie and this offense can survive without me. I wish my team mates the best and hope that Rhys can make a bigger impact than I did here, " Betesta told the Press prior to boarding for Arctic Bay.
Quarterback Khari Jones "It's a tough loss but as a quarterback, I know that we have guys that can easily step up and fill those shoes. Vita has proven that he has #1 capability as well as Swifty and Barlow and the nwe additions Wayne Chrebet from the Nightmares and Jupp Zupp should help ease the way. We're still going to have a dominant passing attack cause we have the guys that can fill in but he will still be missed."
The new season should be starting soon and it will interesting to see if Betesta gets a chance to play his former team in preseason matches or we may just have to wait for a CPL Championship showdown in week #20 but as the offseason continues on, Baller fans can look at the solace in the fact that the Ballers organization is doing their best to improve the team.
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