Burn Return Mainstays Madarieta and Allen

The Boise Burn?s offensive and defensive captains will each return for their third seasons with the af2 team, the Burn announced today. FB/LB Levi Madarieta and wide receiver Casey Allen have been assigned to Boise by the arenafootball2 league office.Madarieta, who played his first af2 season with the 2006 af2 champion Spokane Shock, is the Burn?s all-time leading tackler with 82. He?s also recorded five sacks, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles, and he has recovered three fumbles in a Burn uniform. At 6-foot-3 and 260-pounds, the 28-year-old BYU product also served as the Burn?s kicker this past season. A native of Weiser, Idaho, Madarieta said he is looking forward to his third season with the Burn. ?I was obviously looking forward to getting an opportunity to move up to the AFL, but I?m very excited to be back playing for the Burn in front of my family and the great fans of Boise. Keep your eye on #1!? Madarieta said. Allen, the Burn?s career leader in receptions (186), yards (2,163), receiving touchdowns (44), and total TD?s (51) will also return for his third season in Boise. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Oregon native also became a threat on the ground last season, with 11 carries for 35 yards and 7 scores.?I am really looking forward to another season in Boise. I am excited that Coach Winter wants me back to help the Burn make a run at a championship,? said Allen. I love playing in Boise, especially in front of the fans who have been unbelievable. It?s going to be a fun year.? Both Madarieta and Allen are the only players to play in all 32 games in the Burn?s two seasons.Boise opens the 2009 campaign on Friday, March 27 at Tri-Cities. The Burn will host its West Division rival and defending National Conference Champion Spokane Shock for its home opener on Saturday, Apr. 18 at Qwest Arena. Season tickets are currently on sale. Call the front office at 208.383.0080 or check online at www.boiseburn.com for more information.About af2With its 10th anniversary season set to begin in the spring of 2009, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to small-to-midsize cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans? Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League, which finished its 22nd season in July. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.A PROUD MEMBER OF THE ARENA FOOTBALL FAMILY- www.boiseburn.com -