By day, they're electricians, utility operators, grass cutters and masons. But on Saturday nights this summer, they'll become quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and linemen.
The Kings Comets are hoping to become a mainstay of Cincinnati's summer sports season when they kick off their first semipro football season July 4. By playing their home games at Galbreath Field -- home of high school football power Moeller and the pro soccer Riverhawks -- they hope to provide an entertainment alternative to pricey neighbor Kings Island.
But before any of that, coach Brian Wells just hopes to get a sponsor or two. And more players to show up for practice.
With nearly 300 teams in 40 registered leagues, semipro (also called minor league) football is considered a high level of competition throughout the country. Its biggest claim to fame may have been producing NFL All-Pro Eric Swann in the early '90s.
Wells, 26, Mt. Washington, and co-founder Steve Wernke, 24, of Loveland, were disenchanted with their playing experiences here. About four months ago, they set out to start a team that would bring stability to the area semipro scene.
"I've played on several different teams; They were not run very well," Wernke said. "In a lot of cases you've got no funds, no equipment, coaches trying to be player-coaches. You just can't do it that way."
To provide his team more stability, Wells set out on an escapade that included trademarking the Comets' name and logo, finding a team doctor and trainers, securing Galbreath for games, buying liability insurance and contacting potential sponsors. The team got incorporated as a non-profit group to join forces with several area drug and alcohol awareness programs.
All that was left was finding players. Word got out over the Internet and through fliers posted at area gyms. The roster is up to about 50 players, though more are always welcome. Players must pay $100 for equipment and fees.
"Most of the guys that get excited about playing is because this will keep them out of trouble," Wells said. "Now they'll spend their summer on the football field instead of hanging out in bars."
For about one-fourth of the roster, this is their first experience with semipro football. And the assortment of veterans reads like a script for the football version of "Major League," led by the time-tested quarterback, John Hollon.
"We've got a lot of rookies, but I think we'll do all right," said Hollon, 42, playing his 15th year of semipro ball.
He'll be protected by Brandon Fawley, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman half his age. He and several friends from the Goshen area jumped at the opportunity to play for the Comets.
Wendell Fails runs high speed drills at Kings High School, where the team practices.
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"It's a bunch of men getting together, having fun," said Fawley, 21. "The competition's intensified. It's twice as good as high school because you're going against ex-pros, college vets." The top receiver, Mike Beasley, 32, played for Aiken High School and Marshall University in the mid-'80s. Tony Bray, a speedy, 26-year old running back, played briefly for Georgia. Julius Boshko, 28, is a former member of the World League's Orlando Thunder. Trent Skipper, 27, is an outside linebacker who is 10 years removed from organized football but can bench press 420 pounds.
"These guys aren't out here to make money," Wells said. "They're out here for the love of the game."
It's only semipro, but the Comets take themselves seriously. They have offensive and defensive coaches and use a modest playbook. They are even trying to convince several former Bengals to play for them.
The Comets will play in the Mid-Eastern Football League, whose defending champ, the Lafayette (Ind.) Lions, finished 1997 ranked in the Top 10 nationally by the American Football Association. The Comets' 10-game season runs July 4 through Sept. 26, with possible playoff games running through October. Home games are Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
"If we get 500 fans or so a game, we'll be able to cover expenses and start-up costs for next year," said Wells, "but we sure would like to pack the place."
