Horsemen hold open tryout

look to improve on last year's playoff run

By Rick Bailey - rbailey@herald-leader.com

J. T. Haskins, veteran that he is, surveyed the prospects trying out for the Kentucky Horsemen Saturday and pronounced himself pleased.

"There's a lot of Division I players and some from the AFL," said Haskins, starting his fifth year. "With the (Louisville) Fire folding, some of their guys are coming in. I saw a bunch of good players. They'll give us an extra boost for the season ahead."

The Horsemen announced 22 players under contract after the final tryout at Heritage Hall. They can take 13 more players into camp which begins March 6. The season opener is at arenafootball2 power Tulsa March 28.

Kentucky Horsemen roster
Players under contract for the 2009 season:
Player Position(s) College
Kyle Callahan WR/DB Union
John Cooper WR/DB Marshall
Doug Daniel K Northwood
Shawn Dedden FB/LB/OL/DL Eastern Kentucky
Cody Eubanks WR/DB Campbellsville
James Frazier QB/WR/DB Miami (Ohio)
J.T. Haskins WR/LB Louisville
Jonathan Hawks WR/DB Bemidji State
Phillip Hibbard OL/DL Kentucky
Mario Hines WR/DB Robert Morris
Brandon Lee OL/DL Thomas Moore
Tim Long OL/DL Lane
Jamus Martin FB/LB/OL/DL Marshall
Aaron Mason WR/DB Wake Forest
William Mulder WR/DB Campbellsville
Rashaud Mungro OL/DL Eastern Kentucky
Jamal Naji OL/DL Norfolk State
Troy Perry WR/DB Washington
Justin Rascati QB James Madison
Bryan Stallings OL/DL Indiana State
Andre Twine WR/DB Norfolk State
Courtney White OL/DL Georgetown
Season opener
Horsemen at Tulsa Talons
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28

"We have a lot of competition for a few spots," Coach Mike Harmon said. "It's nice to have this caliber of athletes show up and work out for us."

The Horsemen held an open tryout last month, then invited about 50 prospects for Saturday's audition.

"It's nice to have tried and true players back, and we have loyalty to them," Harmon said. "At the same time, competition makes you better. You can't get too comfortable. You have to see who's out there and available."

Former Louisville player Montrell Jones hoped to earn a spot on the roster.

"I've been around the arena game for a while, and I've learned how to be an arena player," said Jones. He began the 2008 season with the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League but was released early in the season.

"Coach Harmon gave me an opportunity to display my talent, and I did pretty well," he said.

New quarterback Justin Rascati was in town to watch his new receivers and pick up a Horsemen playbook.

Quarterback Eddie Eviston, Chad Spencer and Ike Clepper retired after last season, the Horsemen's first in af2. They were the second expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural year.

Rascati led James Madison to the NCAA Division I-AA title in 2004 after transferring from Louisville. He tried out for the NFL Chicago Bears and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2007, then played for the Peoria Pirates of the af2 last season.

"I had a good year and a good time," Rascati said. "Coach Harmon and Coach (Garry) McPeek (offensive coordinator) are great, and I wanted to come here."

Aaron Mason, a former Paul Dunbar High School star, played for Wake Forest. He returned to Lexington after graduation and took a year off from the sport.

"I wanted to see where my heart was with football," he said. "I missed it and wanted to give it another shot.

"The contract is a foot in the door, an opportunity to showcase my abilities. As a player you're never satisfied with a piece of paper or money in the bank."

Former Eastern Kentucky safety Pierre Wright hopes for his chance, too.

A torn knee ligament in 2007 has limited Wright's progress in indoor football. He attended the open workout and said he planned to sign Saturday.

"I didn't think I'd catch on so fast," he said, "but everything's coming around so far."