By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Bobby Sippio is back to the league where he enjoyed his greatest success, the Arena Football League, after the former Osceola High standout signed with the Orlando Predators Wednesday.

Sippio, the receiver who helped the Chicago Rush win the 2006 Arena Bowl 20 championship over the Predators in Las Vegas, led the Arena League with 53 touchdown receptions for the Rush in 2007 before making the Kansas City Chiefs roster.

“Bobby brings a unique skill set to our team,” said Predators Coach Pat O’Hara. “Bobby brings a dynamic winning attitude to the game and we are blessed to have him. I’m also excited that he will be able to showcase his talents in his hometown.”

Sippio was expected to start for the Predators, 2-3, against Milwaukee Friday at the Amway Arena.

“I have always wanted to play in Orlando,” Sippio said in a prepared statement. “Having played my high school ball here, the opportunity to play in front of my friends and family in ‘The Jungle’ is something I am looking forward to.”

Sippio previously played Arena Football with the Rush, Tampa Bay Storm and Dallas Desperados and spent time in the NFL with the Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.

Sippio, 6-3, 215, is one of the biggest and most physical receivers in the AFL.

He joins a Predators receiving corps that includes TT Toliver, who had 701 yards and 10 touchdowns through the team’s first five games, and former Austin Wrangler Derrick Lewis.

Sippio was featured in the HBO series Hard Knocks in 2007 when he competed in the Chiefs’ training camp under then-coach Herm Edwards.

After being released by the Chiefs, Sippio played in the United Football League with the California Redwoods and the Florida Tuskers.

Sippio  was the quarterback for Osceola’s 1998 state football champion and played three seasons for Western Kentucky, where he was an All-American defense back.

Sippio’s career blossomed in 2004 with the Dallas Desperados when he had 1,218 yards on 75 receptions and 32 TDs.