For:BigBlueNation Magazine 3/2004
Horsemen Ready For Year 2
By Rich Herles
Lexington, KY. – It’s that time of year again and as Bocephus says, “Are you ready for some football? Are you ready to party?” The Lexington Horsemen are gearing up for their second season in the National Indoor Football League. If you liked what you saw last season, you’ll love what’s to come this season.
According to the Horsemen’s President and CEO, Ron Borkowski, the central Kentucky fans are ready. “We are ahead of last year with season ticket sales. We have the entire group sales from last year in already this year. From what I’ve seen today (at the last day of tryouts), once the fans see the kind of ball team that we are going to have, we are looking for a GREAT season.”
As for whether or not the players are ready, this year there were 102 players to tryout for the Horsemen besides those who returned from last season. Returning quarterback Dusty Bonner explained the look of this year’s team. “This team looks good. We have a lot of guys coming back. With a year’s experience, it is going to help the old guys and we had a lot more new guys come out (this season than last year), because they like what they saw (last year) and (they) want to be a part of it.”
New Head Coach Bob Sphire was pleased with what he saw through the tryouts. “There was a whole lot more talent out there this year, than we had last year. We have a lot of hard decisions to make.” To compare last season with this season, there were 35 players competing for the 30 positions on the Horsemen last year and this year 56 players were there hoping to make the last cut. Julius Yeast put the level of competition into perspective. When asked how he thought this year’s team looked, last season‘s defensive lineman and wide receiver said, “I’ve dropped 30 pounds and I’m in much better shape (than I was last season). I’m more focused and a lot quicker. I still have to make the team.”
Offensive Line Coach Garry McPeek also was pleasantly surprised with this season’s players. “We try to get them as big and strong as we can, but that still move. We had a good offensive line last year and I think that we will have a better one this year.”
Many hard decisions are being made. From the 102 player that initially came to tryouts the coaches have whittled it down to 33 and that’s not the end. They will have to shave the roster down another four or five spots prior to season’s opening. There are 19 returning Horsemen, who have made the cut so far. Fan favorites like Dusty Bonner, Doggie Allen, Craig Yeast, Julius Yeast, Gordon Crowe, Ike Clepper, Nigel Smith, Chad Spencer, Martez Johnson, Ronnie Riley, Nate Green, Derek Homer, Chris Gayton, ‘Champ” Kelly, Harold Dennis, John Rader, Tayo Agboke, Ray McLaurin, and Derrick White.
New additions to the line, that have made the first set of cuts are Antoine Sims, Nate Van Sickel, Bryan Stallings, Michael Madrazo, Matt Nally, Leonard Kyner.
Newcomers to the receiving corps and backfield, so far, are Eddie Eviston,
Harry Lewis, James Taylor, David Johnson, William Mulder, Mark Walker, Nick Ayers, and Chad Johnson.
Tryouts for the kicking position have not been decided yet, but Brian Sivinski is among the four kickers vying to make this year’s squad.
Some changes in the Horsemen’s roster may still occur, but comparing the roster from last year to the great players that are to take the field this season, the Horsemen fans are in for a real treat as Lexington sets out on it’s quest to make it to Indoor Bowl IV. See you there.
Remember every yard brings you closer to your goal!
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Copyright 2003 by Richard G. Herles All Rights Reserved.
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