COMET PLAYERS CONCLUDE INDOOR/ARENA SEASONS

Goodman and Redd latest pair to lead pro team to the playoffs

Robert Redd had eight catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns and Dominick Goodman had five catches for 62 yards as the Cleveland Gladiators season came to an end with a 50-41 loss to the Georgia Force in the first round of the Arena Football League playoffs Sunday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Redd, who also had four kick returns for 64 yards and a 15-yard return of a missed field goal was named the Nifty Playmaker of the Game as being credited with the Cutters Catch of the Game.

Goodman finished the season leading the Gladiators with 120 receptions and 1300 receiving yards, ranking eighth in the Arena League with 8.0 receptions per game. Goodman also hauled in 13 touchdowns, third best on the Gladiatiors, despite missing the team's first three games.

Redd was second on the Gladiators with 98 catches for 1279 yards and tied for the team lead with 30 touchdowns. With four two point conversions to his credit, Redd led the team with 188 points. He also gained 72 yards on 16 carries, 760 yards on 42 kick returns, and 26 yards on three missed field goal returns, leading Cleveland with 2133 all-purpose yards.

By helping Cleveland win its first division title, Goodman and Redd became the latest pair of current and former Comets to lead their team to the postseason.

Most notably, Rich Bailey, James Frazier, Kyenes Mincy, Will White, Terrill Byrd, George Murray, Keith Brooks, Andy Stuckert, and Brandon Boehm helped the Cincinnati Commandos to an undefeated season and the team's second straight Continental Indoor Football League title.

The Commandos also received help from coaches Billy Back, Brian Wells, Chico Lockhart and Sean Middlebrooks, all current or former Comets players and coaches.

Also in the CIFL, the Dayton Silverbacks finished with their best record ever, 5-5, and a playoff berth with the help of players like James Spikes, Eric Starks, Isaiah Cheatham, Chris Stanford, Josh Ellison, Austin Goss, and Thaddeus Crosby.

In the United Indoor Football League, D'arrell Brown, Santino Turnbow, Jermaine Woods, Robert Feliciano and DuMorris Powell helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters to a 11-3 record, the best regular season mark in the UIFL.

Meanwhile, Mardy Gilyard, a Comet in 2007, started his second training camp with the St. Louis Rams this weekend. The Rams open the pre-season Saturday night at home against the Indianapolis Colts, and start their regular season at home on September 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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COMETS PLAYERS PREP FOR PRO PLAYOFFS

Kings players lead Commandos and River Monsters to first-place finishes

While the Comets were off this weekend, current and former Comets players played key roles as the Cincinnati Commandos and Northern Kentucky River Monsters each completed their regular seasons with the best record in their respective leagues after finishing up their seasons Saturday night.

The Commandos finished off an undefeated Continental Indoor Football League regular season at 10-0 with a 50-20 win against the second-place Marion Blue Racers (8-2) at the Cincinnati Gardens on Saturday night.

Receivers with ties to the Comets accounted for 11 of Cincinnati's 14 receptions in the game, including 7 by George Murray for 61 yards. Nez Mincy had a pair of grabs for 31 yards and a score, giving him the team lead for the season with 25 catches and 10 touchdowns. That also put Mincy at second in the league in catches and third in touchdowns, and his 274 receiving yards ranked second on the team. Both of Phillip Barnett's catches went for touchdowns, making him second on the team with eight touchdowns in just five games.

Rich Bailey helped anchor an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the seventh time this season and finished the year allowing only four sacks in over 250 pass attempts.

Defensively, Terrill Byrd had 3.5 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Byrd finishes the season tied for the league lead with four fumble recoveries, third in the CIFL with six sacks, and fourth in the league with 13.5 tackles for a loss. James Frazier added one tackle, with 5.5 of his seven tackles this season going for a loss.

In Pikeville on Saturday, the Northern Kentucky River Monsters (11-3) fell to the Eastern Kentucky Drillers (8-6), 44-43, but still finished with the best record in the Ultimate Indoor Football League.

In his second game for Northern Kentucky, DuMorris Powell recorded four tackles.

Santino Turnbow finished the year third on the team with 47 tackles in 10 games, also recording three sacks, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. D'arrell Brown had 22 tackles in 12 games, ranking second on the team with five sacks and third with seven quarterback hurries. Jermaine Woods had 19 tackles and four pass breakups in five games for the River Monsters.

The Cleveland Gladiators (6-4) also lost on Saturday night, falling to the Arizona Rattlers (9-2) at the US Airways Center in Phoenix.

Dominick Goodman had 11 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown for Cleveland. Robert Redd added three catches for 44 yards, a six-yard run, and three kick returns for 34 yards as he remaing among the Arena Football League leaders in kick return average, all-purpose yards, and yards per catch.

The Gladiators still have eight games remaining in their regular season, with their next game being Saturday at the Pittsburgh Power in a game for first place in the American Conference's East Division.

Despite finishing atop the UIFL standings, Northern Kentucky will have to travel to play the Saginaw Sting (9-5) in the semifinals Friday due to a rules violation.

Cincinnati will host the Chicago Knights (4-6) in the CIFL semifinals Friday night at 8 p.m. at the Cincinnati Gardens.

The Dayton Silverbacks (5-5), who have used seven current or former Comets this season, will play against Marion in the other semifinal on Monday night in Marion.

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COMET RECEIVERS KEEP COMMANDOS UNBEATEN

Mincy scores game-winning touchdown with 5.4 seconds left for Mothers Day win

Kyenes Mincy caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from George Murray with 5.4 seconds remaining, leading the Cincinnati Commandos (8-0) to a 48-41, come-from-behind victory on Sunday against the Chicago Knights (4-4) at Victory Sports Complex in Rockford, Ill.

Mincy was one of three receivers with Comet-experience to catch a touchdown pass from Murray, who played for the Comets in the 2006 season. Brandon Boehm caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 34-34 in the fourth quarter and matched Mincy a team-best three catches. Phillip Barnett's lone catch resulted in a three-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Murray finished the game 10-of-27 passing for 110 yards and four touchdown with no interceptions, finishing the game by completing seven of his final 10 passes.

Defensively, Terrill Byrd had two sacks and a quarterback hurry and fullback Andy Stuckert had a pair of special teams tackles.

A pair of players signed to make their Comet debuts in 2011 also contributed, with defensive back Mike Crawford being in on two tackles and kicker Brandon Yingling recovering his own onside kick which led to the game-winning touchdown.

On Saturday, Thaddeus Crosby made his debut with the Dayton Silverbacks (3-5), leading a defensive effort that resulted in eight turnovers and a 75-6 win against the Indianapolis Enforcers (1-7) at Hara Arena in Dayton.

Crosby had five tackles, one for a loss, recovered a fumble, broke up a pass and was credited with a quarterback hurry. Austin Goss scored on a 13-yard fumble return following a fumble he caused with a sack, part of an effort that also saw him finish with two tackles, both for a loss, and a quarterback hurry. James Spikes had 2.5 sacks among his 3.5 tackles, forcing two fumbles and being credited with a quarterback hurry.

Offensively, linemen Eric Starks and Josh Ellison started, paving the way for the Silverbacks to gain 5.5 yards per carry and pass 15 times without being sacked.

Friday, Dominick Goodman and Robert Redd got the Cleveland Gladiators (5-2) off to a 50-41 win against the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-6) at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Goodman caught a 17-yard pass on the game's first play from scrimmage and, following an incomplete pass, Redd hauled in a 28-yard touchdown as the Gladiators never trailed in the game.

Redd finished with six catches for 63 yards and the touchdown, also returning one kick 25 yards. Goodman had four grabs for 47 yards and made a pair of special teams tackles.

Santino Turnbow made two tackles for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters (9-2) on Friday against the Saginaw Sting (8-3) at the Dow Center in Saginaw, Mich., but a touchdown with 10 seconds remaing enabled the Sting to end Northern Kentucky's seven-game winning streak, 63-58.

The River Monsters will host the Huntington Hammer (5-6) at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Silverbacks close out their regular season Friday night at Hara Arena against the Knights at 7:30 p.m. Dayton will be awarded a forfeit win for its scheduled game against Port Huron on May 26, and can clinch third place in the CIFL with a win Friday night.

The Gladiators will play at the Orlando Predators (5-3) Saturday night at the Amway Center at 7:30 p.m.

The Commandos are off this weekend due to Port Huron's folding and will host the Enforcers on Saturday, May 21 at the Cincinnati Gardens at 7:30 p.m.

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COMETS TO HOST HALL OF FAME GAME

Ceremony to take place at halftime of June 5 Comets-Trojans game

The Kings Comets are proud to announce they have been selected to host the 2011 Cincy Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Comets game against the Trenton Trojans at 3 p.m. on June 5 at Lakota West High School (8940 Union Centre Boulevard, West Chester, Ohio 45069).

The 2011 Cincinnati Hall of Fame class includes a pair of long-time Comets in linebacker Tommy Sewell, the Comets all-time leading tackler, and defensive back Chico Lockhart, who ranks among the franchise career leaders in interceptions, pass break-ups, and tackles.

Also being inducted during the half-time ceremonies will be Tony Bray, Larry Cherry, A.C. Reed, John Hollon, Harry Tye, David Jones, and Mike Kirchgessner.

For more information on the Cincinnati Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame, click here. For a complete list of Comets in the Cincinnati Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame, click here.

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GOODMAN, REDD LEAD COMEBACK

Comet players help Gladiators, Commandos, and River Monsters all stay in first place

Receivers Dominick Goodman and Robert Redd played key roles in helping the Cleveland Gladiators (4-2) end a two-game losing streak with a 34-30 come-from-behind win against the Tulsa Talons (2-5) Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Goodman, who was the MCFL MVP with the Comets in 2009, led the Gladiators with seven catches and 91 yards. Robert Redd, who played in the Jovante Woods Charity Game with Kings last year, followed with five catches for 30 yards and hauled in three touchdown passes.

Redd's third touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter pulled the Gladiators to within 30-27. The score remained the same with 5:02 remaining in the game when Goodman and Redd each caught two passes for 40 yards on an 8-play, 44-yard drive the resulted in the game-winning touchdown with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

In Cincinnati on Friday, Phillip Barnett, Kyenes Mincy and Brandon Boehm accounted for seven of the Commandos 10 receptions in a 41-7 win against the Dayton Silverbacks (2-5) at the Cincinnati Gardens. Mincy led Cincinnati (6-0) with three catches, Barnett had a team-high 50 receiving yards and the Commandos only receiving touchdown of the game, and Boehm hauled in two passses for 29 yards.

Terrill Byrd added two tackles for a Cincinnati defense that limited Dayton to 83 yards of offense.

James Spikes was in on six tackles for the Silverbacks, while Austin Goss had one tackle and Chris Stanford finished the game at quarterback.

Lineman Rich Bailey and full back Andy Stuckert also played for Cincinnati and linemen Josh Ellison and Eric Starks played for Dayton as 11 players with experience on the Comets participated in the game.

In Huntington on Saturday, Jermaine Woods and D'arrell Brown helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters win their seventh straight game, 44-23, against the Huntington Hammer (5-5). Woods had a tackle while Brown had a tackle and a pass break-up.

The Gladiators and River Monsters both return to action on Friday, with Cleveland hosting the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-5) and the River Monsters travelling to play the Saginaw Sting (7-3). The Commandos may be able to make up their previously postponed game at Chicago (4-3) on Sunday.

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KINGS DUO HELPS RIVER MONSTERS LAND PLAYOFF SPOT

Northern Kentucky first to clinch playoff spot in new league

Linebacker Santino Turnbow and lineman D'arrell Brown helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters (8-1) become the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) with a 64-56 win against the Saginaw Sting (6-3), 64-56, Saturday night at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.

Turnbow recorded a pair of tackles and a quarterback hurry while Brown had one tackle, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry.

The win gives the River Monsters a two-game lead over Saginaw for first place in the UIFL with six games remaining.

The Sting include defensive lineman Michael Carter, who also plays with the Flint Fury, a former MCFL foe of the Comets.

Also on Saturday, receivers Robert Redd and Dominick Goodman combined for 21 catches and 225 of the Cleveland Gladiators 309 passing yards in a 56-42 loss to the Jacksonville Sharks (5-1) at Sea Best Field in Jacksonville, FL.

Goodman led the Gladiators (3-2) with 11 catches in his second Arena league game, totalling 94 receiving yards. Redd had 10 grabs and a game-best 131 receiving yards with two touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown grab. Redd also returned six kicks for 90 yards, and both players were credited with a pair of tackles.

Three Comets helped the Dayton Silverbacks climb back into the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) playoff race with a 24-21 win against the Chicago Knights at Victory Sports Complex in Rockford, IL.

James Spikes led the Dayton defense with five tackles, including a sack that helped the Silverbacks hold Chicago scoreless in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win. Josh Ellison and Austin Goss also participated in the win for Dayton, which is now 2-4, tied with Port Huron for the fourth and final playoff spot in the six-team CIFL. The Silverbacks are also a game-and-a-half behind Chicago (3-2), with the Knights still scheduled to visit Dayton on May 13.

The Silverbacks next game will be at the Cincinnati Commandos (5-0) Friday, April 29 at the Cincinnati Gardens. The game will be the first for the first-place Commandos since April 8, and with a win, Cincinnati would clinch a playoff spot in the CIFL playoffs. Cincinnati defeated Dayton, 32-15, the first time the two Comet-laden teams met on April 2 in Dayton.

Cleveland also plays on Friday night, hosting the Tulsa Talons (2-4) at Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 p.m.

The River Monsters will be at the Huntington Hammer (5-4) on Saturday night, the first of two straight road games before returning to the Bank of Kentucky Center to host the Hammer on May 14.

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GOODMAN MAKES ARENA LEAGUE DEBUT

Robert Redd named Ironman for Cleveland Gladiators

Receiver Dominick Goodman made his Arena Football League debut Saturday night in the Cleveland Gladiators 34-33 loss to the New Orleans Voodoo at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, a game in which Robert Redd was named Ironman of the Game.

Goodman finished the game with one catch, a 14-yard grab on fourth down as the Gladiators were looking to hold on to a 33-27 lead in the fourth quarter.

Redd finished with 184 yards in total offense, catching two passes for 43 yards, rushing twice for two yards, returning a missed field goal 12 yards, and bringing back six kickoffs 127 yards, including a 54-yard return to the 1-yard line that led to a touchdown in the third quarter. Redd, who ranks fifth in the Arena League with 142.0 all-purpose yards per game, also recorded a tackle following an interception.

A pair of Comets were also in action at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University, where the Northern Kentucky River Monsters remained in first place in the Ultimate Indoor Football League with a 59-42 win against the Eastern Kentucky Drillers. D'arrell Brown was in on three tackles, a half a sack, and had a quarterback hurry while Santino Turnbow had a tackle and a quarterback hurry.

The River Monsters host the second-place Saginaw Sting this coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of Kentucky Center.

The Gladaitors are at the Jacksonville Sharks 7 p.m. next Saturday.

The Cincinnati Commandos, which also feature several Comets are off until Friday, April 29, when they host another team filled with Comets, the Dayton Silverbacks, at the Cincinnati Gardens at 8:05.

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COMETS TO PLAY AT LAKOTA WEST

Comets announce home field for inaugural HFL season

The Kings Comets are proud to announce Lakota West High School as their home for the 2011 season. Lakota West is located at 8940 Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester, Ohio 45069.

The Comets will play all their home games at Lakota West except for the May 22 game against the Southwest Seminoles, which will take place at the Lakota Freshman building, formerly Lakota High School, at 5050 Tylersville Road in West Chester, Ohio 45069.

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COMMANDOS WIN BATTLE OF COMET PLAYERS

Turnbow earns UIFL Defensive Player of the Week

The Cincinnati Commandos defeated the Dayton Silverbacks, 32-15, Saturday in a game featuring seven former and current Kings Comets players, highlighting a weekend in which nine Comets played professionally.

Brandon Boehm, who played in the 3A/D1 USA Bowl National Championship Game for the Comets in 2010, was the Commandos (4-0) leading receiver with four catches for 66 yards. George Murray, a Comet in 2006, added three catches for 11 yards, and Kyenes Mincy had a 13-yard catch. With Terrill Byrd inactive, James Frazier anchored Cincinnati's offensive line with three tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

Chris Stanford led the Silverbacks (1-3), coming off the bench to rally Dayton from a 14-0 lead to take a 15-14 lead with a 27-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half. Stanford finished nine of 19 passing for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Two of Stanford's pass went to Isaiah Cheatham for 12 yards. James Spikes keyed Dayton's defensive pressure with two tackles, one for a loss, a forced fumble, and three quarterback hurries.

Also on Saturday Robert Redd caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cleveland Gladiators to a 55-48 win against the Chicago Rush. It was Redd's second-straight 100-yard receiving game and helped the Gladiators improve to 3-0. Redd played with the Comets in the Jovante Woods Charity Game against the Columbus Gladiators and is signed to the Comets for the 2011 season.

Friday night, Santino Turnbow helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters (5-1) to a 69-40 win against the Huntington Hammer, enabling the River Monsters to take over first place in the United Indoor Football League. Turnbow had eight tackles, four pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries, and currently ranks second in the UIFL with 33 tackles. For his effort, Turnbow earned the UIFL's Terry's Tire Town Defensive Player of the Week award. The River Monsters were without Jermaine Woods, who led them with eight tackles in their 62-53 win Monday night against the Canton Cougars.

The Commandos start off the coming week with a home game against the Port Huron Pirates (2-2) Friday night at the Cincinnati Gardens. On Saturday, Northern Kentucky travels to play Canton, Dayton hosts the Marion Blue Racers (3-1) at Hara Arena, and the Gladiators are off this week and return to action April 16 against the New Orleans VooDoo.

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COMET PLAYERS LEAD TWO INDOOR TEAMS TO WINS

Kings Comets players helped both the Cincinnati Commandos and the Northern Kentucky River Monsters claim wins Saturday night.

Six players with previous experience with the Comets, including four who appeared with the team last season, helped the Commandos to a dominating, 53-7 win against the Chicago Knights in the team’s Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) season-opener at the Cincinnati Gardens.

Terrill Byrd and James Frazier anchored the defensive line for an effort that allowed a franchise-low 7 points. Frazier was in on two tackles, including one for a loss, while Byrd had a 29-yard fumble return which led to a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

On offense, Comets accounted for five of Cincinnati’s eight touchdowns, with the receivers hauling in 15 of the 20 receptions for the team in the game. Nez Mincy led the receiving corps with six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns. George Murray, who last played with the Comets in 2006, had four catches for 44 yards and two more touchdowns and Brandon Boehm, who played with the Comets in the 2010 USA Bowl National Championship game, had three grabs for 50 yards and a score. Comets all-time leading rusher Keith Brooks added two catches for 18 yards and two runs for seven yards.

In Johnstown, Santino Turnbow, D’arrell Brown, and Jermaine Woods once again anchored a defensive effort that helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters defeat the Johnstown Generals (0-2), 62-49.

Turnbow finished second on the team with four tackles, while Brown had three tackles, including half a sack, and Woods had two tackles.

River Monsters, who also have Austin Goss and Rob Feliciano on their roster, improved to 2-0 in the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL).

The River Monsters have one more road game against the Eastern Kentucky Drillers (1-1) in Pikeville, KY before making their home debut at the Bank of Kentucky Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 against the Drillers.

The Commandos are on the road this Saturday to face the Marion Mayhem (1-0). They return to the Cincinnati Gardens to face the Indianapolis Enforcers next Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

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TRIO OF COMETS HELP RIVER MONSTERS TO INAUGURAL WIN

Three Comets helped the Northern Kentucky River Monsters to a 63-41 win against the Canton Cougars in the team's first ever game Saturday night at the Canton Civic Center in Canton, Ohio.

Lineman D'arrell Brown, linebacker Santino Turnbow, and defensive back Jermaine Woods all started for a defense that allowed just 192 yards, allowing the Cougars to complete just 15 of 44 passes.

Turnbow was third on the team with five tackles, one solo and four assists, in his professional debut. Woods, who has played professionally with the Dayton Bulldogs and Cincinnati Commandos, recorded three tackles, including two for a loss, and was credited with two pass breakups. Brown, who also played with the Commandos last season, shared in the River Monsters only sack of the night, a six yard loss.

The River Monsters are one of six teams in the newly formed Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL).

The River Monsters are on the road again this Saturday night against the Johnstown Generals, one of three road games for the team to open its 14-game schedule. The Brown, Turnbow, and Woods, along with linebacker Austin Goss are slated to make their home debuts at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights on Friday, March 18 against the Generals.

Several more Comets start their indoor seasons 7:30 this Saturday night at the Cincinnati Gardens, helping the Cincinnati Commandos vie for a second straight Continental Indoor Football League championship.

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11 COMETS NAMED MLFN ALL-AMERICANS

Linebacker Tommy Sewell was named First Team All-American outside linebacker by the Minor League Football News on Thursday, leading a group of 11 Kings Comet players to be honored for their play during the 2010 season.

Sewell, who led the team with 69 tackles in 10 games and was second in the Mid-Continental Football League with 48 tackles in seven games, who was the only Comet named to the first team, but five others earned Second Team honors.

Strong safety Chico Lockhart and defensive tackle Terrill Byrd were the only other members of the defense to be honored, both being named Second Team. Lockhart finished third on the team with 39 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Byrd led the Comets with 18 tackles for a loss and six sacks.

Receiver Isaiah Cheatham was named a Second Team All-American after setting a team records with 682 receiving yards on 29 catches with nine touchdown grabs. Chris Stanford, who also set team records with 1,544 passing yards and 18 touchdowns was named Honorable Mention quarterback. Fullback Will White was also earned Honorable Mention honors by rushing 53 times for 291 yards, a 5.0 yards-per carry average, with two touchdowns.

All five members of the starting offensive line were also honored, led by center Josh Ellison and guard Rich Bailey, who were named Second Team All-Americans in their first years with the team. Guard carlos Davis as well as tackles Eric Starks and Rob Feliciano were named Honorable Mention All-Americans by MLFN.

The Comets, the Cincinnati-area's longest running continuously active semi-pro football team begin their 10th season of play May 8 at the Goshen Rampage. The Comets begin their first season in the Heartland Football League May 22 by hosting the Southwest Seminoles.

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COMETS ADD TO COACHING STAFF

Seven new coaches added for 2011

The Kings Comets head coach have added seven coaches to their coaching staff for the 2011 season, highlighted by the addition of Cincinnati Semi-Pro Hall of Fame coach Duane Reid as Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Assistant Head Coach.

Former Comets linebacker Derek Vaughn has also been added as Linebackers Coach, Shawn Hocker has been named Defensive Line Coach, Larry Davis will be Running Backs Coach, Casey "Shaggy" Strong will be Quarterbacks Coach, Chico Lockhart will be Defensive Backs Coach, and Daryl "Slash" Moore will be Wide Receivers Coach and serve on the Comets board of directors as an advisor.

Coach Reid is in the Cincinnati Semi-Pro Hall of Fame as both a player (offensive line) and a coach. He was the head coach for the Northern Kentucky Raiders for many years and is among the elite in winning percentage as a head coach. While He also was the head coach for the Raiders while Comets head coach, Brian Wells, played. Duane is very familiar with the Comets organization as he served as the color commentator for ICRC broadcast of Comets games over the past several years. His knowledge and experience of the game and players of the Comets organization along with his past experiences as a head coach and team owner of the Raiders will be a valuable asset to the Comets organization on and off the field.

Duane Reid also brings Vaughn, a Comets linebacker in 2004, onto the Comets coaching staff to coach the linebackers and Shawn Hocker to coach the defensive line. Vaughn is a member of the Cincinnati Semi-Pro Hall of Fame as a player and provides a wealth of knowledge to his position along with familiarity of the players he will be coaching, as many of them were former teammates. Hocker is also a member of the Cincinnati Semi-Pro Hall of Fame and was the defensive coordinator for the Reid's Northern Kentucky Raiders during the 1990's.

Davis, a former Comets running back who was the Co-owner of the Southwest Seminoles in 2010 will join the Comets coaching staff as Running Backs Coach for the 2011 season. Davis played for the Comets in 2005 and 2007 as well as the Butler County Blazers in 2008, Miami Valley Blackout in 2009 and for the Southwest Seminoles in 2010. Davis's experience and knowledge of the game along with his familiarity of the Comets organization will provide a valuable asset to the Comets organization on and off the field.

Strong, who retired as the Comets all-time leading passer in 2008, also joins the Comets coaching staff for the 2011 season as Quarterbacks Coach. Having played for Coach Wells, Strong will provide a strong knowledge of the Comets playbook and continue with the development of returning starter Chris Stanford, Ricky Staley, Austin Goss and rookie Dan Taylor at the quarterback position.

Moore, the Comets all-time leading receiver returns to the Comets after playing for the Louisville Bulls in 2010 as a player-coach. Moore will coach the wide receivers and serve on the Comets board of directors as an advisor.

Lockhart, an MCFL All-Star and former National Football Events All-American strong safety with the Comets, retired following the 2010 season will become the Comets defensive backs coach for the 2011 season. Chico was the Defensive Coordinator for Coach Wells for the Miami Valley Silverbacks professional indoor football team in the CIFL during the 2010 season and joins Wells on the Cincinnati Commandos (CIFL) coaching staff for the 2011 season as linebackers coach.

Additional candidates are still being considered for the 2011 Comets coaching staff.

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COMETS MAKE SWITCH TO HFL

The Kings Comets are proud to announce they will participate the 2011 season in the Heartland Football League.

The Heartland Football League is a 24-team league with teams primarily in Ohio, including eight in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. This will allow fans to follow the Comets to all home and away games as well as greatly reducing Kings travel from previous season.

The HFL finished 2010 with seven of its 24 teams being ranked in the American Football News Today AA Top 20. Three HFL teams will participate in bowl games at the 2011 Sunshine Bowl Sports Extravaganza in Homestead, FL, with the 2010 HFL champion Lima Warriors playing for the AA National Championship.

The HFL season will begin May 21, with 10 league games running through August 6 and playoffs to follow.

In the HFL, the Comets will participate in a division of the South Conference with the Trenton Trojans; Southwest Seminoles from Lebanon, OH; and Mount Carmel Fire. Kings fills the spot made vacant when the Ohio Valley Warriors and Mid-Ohio Jets merged in the offseason.

The Comets had initially announced their intention to join the Gridiron Developmental Football League earlier this offseason.

Kings played its first season, 1998, in the Mid-Eastern Football League, finishing 6-2 in the league and 6-5 overall. The Comets spent their next seven seasons in the Mid-Continental Football League, compiling a 31-30 MCFL record and 47-43 overall record, winning the 2009 MCFL Championship.

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MORE KINGS COMETS SIGN CONTRACTS

The Kings Comets continue the tradition of getting players and coaches to the next level. Not everyone can be the next Mardy Gilyard for the Comets, However, Kings continues to send guys to the professional ranks of indoor football. The Cincinnati Commandos of the Continental Indoor Football League and the Northern Kentucky River Monsters of the Ultimate Indoor Football League have signed many Comet players.

The Cincinnati Commandos currently employ the following former Comets in the front office: team owner - Dennis Whitman (Comets assistant coach 2009-2010 and Comets President 2010), general manager - Travis Johnson (Comets kicker and punter 2005-2010) and director of business - Jason Buckley (Comets player 1999, assistant coach 2009).

The Commandos coaching staff derives from the Kings Comets as well: head coach - Billy Back (Comets player 2005-2010), assistant head coach - Brian Wells (Comets co-founder established in 1998, also serving as head coach during the 1998-1999, 2004-2006, 2009-2010 seasons), defensive line coach - Sean Middlebrooks (Comets defensive lineman 2004, 2009-2010) and defensive backs coach - Chico Lockhart (Comets strong safety 2004, 2007, 2009-2010).

Sean Middlebrooks

The Commandos have signed from the Comets for the 2011 indoor season: Keith Brooks, Isaiah Cheatham, Kyenes Mincy, George Murray, Phillip Barnett, James Frazier, Richard Bailey, Derrick Crawford, Andy Stuckert and Chris Stanford. Additionally, Tiron Jones, Will White and Tommy Sewell received an invitation to join the Commandos in training camp in an attempt to make the 2011 roster.

Dominick Goodman

The Northern Kentucky River Monsters have signed: Dominick Goodman, Brandon Boehm, D'arrell Brown, James Spikes, Santino Turnbow and Josh Ellison. Additionally, DuMorris Powell, Kevin Johnson and Austin Goss received an invitation to join the River Monsters in training camp in an attempt to make the 2011 roster.

Other Comet players signed to pro indoor contracts include Eric Starks - Reno Barons (American Indoor Football Association), Jason Jones - San Jose Sabercats (Arena Football League) and Terrill Byrd has been offered a contract to play for the Tampa Bay Storm (Arena Football League).

Terrill Byrd

The Comets look to have their greatest number of players playing pro football in 2011. Other Comets players whom have gone on to play pro football: Daryl Moore, Larry Turney, Jon Jefferson, Dante Green, Larry Byndon, Joe Washington, Sam Crenshaw, Scott Stigers, Jon Abner, Quincy Davis, John Drury, Tony Railey, Cleon Plummer, Pierre Wright, D.J. Johnson, Nick Rice, Anthony Thomas, Audiji Washington, Demetrius Howard, Carlos Davis, Todd Oberdorf, Lance Olberding, James Bessard, Brandon Martin, Rickey Staley, Rob Feliciano, Rico Middlebrooks, K.C. Cavette, Jermaine Woods, Stan West, Jesse Black, Dontai Fikes, James Drayton, Nehemiah Brooks, Adam Sayer, James Dickens, Orville McDonald, Chris Hicks, Donte Horton, Eugene Hellams, Anthony Tyus, Matt Ziegler, Chris Young, J.D. Crawford, Terdell Byrd, Mister Simpson, Cam Wrencher, Marcus Harris, John Richardson and coaches Lamont Watson, Brian Barrett, Matt Braun, and Gregg Lutz.

At least thirty-three current and former Comets players or coaches will be playing / coaching professionally during the 2011 season bringing the total to 86 players or coaches have been able to move up to coach or play professionally.

The Kings Comets have had players and coaches at every level of professional football from the indoor and arena football leagues to European football leagues to the ultimate prize - National Football League. Being a part of the Kings Comets organization opens doors and helps many fulfill their football dreams!

For more information on the Kings Comets contact Head Coach Brian Wells 513-485-0627

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COMETS DOMINATE ALL-MCFL HONORS

Cheatham named co-Offensive MVP, leading 23 honorees

Receiver Isaiah Cheatham was named Mid-Continental Football League Co-Offensive MVP, leading a group of 23 all-league award winners from the Kings Comets.

The 23 award winners reprensent both the most of any team in the MCFL this season as well as the most players ever recognized for the Comets. Last year's MCFL Championship Comets team earned 22 honors, while the Columbus Fire had the second most honorees in the league this season with 21.

Cheatham had 24 receptions for 607 yards and nine touchdowns in seven league games, leading the league in receiving by more than 200 yards, receptions by eight, and receiving touchdowns by four. Cheatham also returned a kick for a touchdown to lead the league in points scored.

Linebacker Tommy Sewell and defensive tackle Terrill Byrd earned First-Team honors on defense. Sewell finished second in the MCFL in tackles while Byrd shared in the league lead in sacks and tackles for a loss.

Earning Second-Team honors on the defense were ends Sean Middlebrooks and Derrick Crawford and free safety TiRon Jones. Linebacker Larry Byndon was named to the third team as well as cornerback Brandon Martin and strong safety Chico Lockhart. Cornerback Dennis Staryhorn earned Honorable Mention as a cornerback.

On offense, quarterback Chris Stanford, who led the MCFL in completions, passing yards, passing TDs, and pass efficiency and was the league's third leading rusher was one of five offensive players named to the Second Team. Joining Stanford on the Second Team were center Josh Ellison, guard Carlos Davis, fullback Will White, and Cheatham. Tight end Greer Barnett and receiver Phillip Barnett earned Honorable Mention honors.

The Comets special teams were recognized with four Honorable Mentions, including Joe Vortkamp who received the recognition both as a kicker and a punter. Return specialist Josh Dugan and all-purpose player Austin Goss also were named Honorable Mention performers.

These players, as well as all current and former Comets, will be honored at the team's awards banquet 6 p.m., Sunday, December 5 at Geeter's Bar & Grill, 854 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio 45040.

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STARKS LATEST COMET TO SIGN PRO CONTRACT

Kings Comets Offensive Lineman, Eric Starks, has signed with the Reno Barons of the American Indoor Football Association - West. Starks (6'03" - 350 pounds) is from Memphis, TN where he played at Memphis East High School. He has played for the Kings Comets since 2007, being named MCFL Honorable Mention offensice guard in 2007, Third Team offensive tackle in 2008, First Team offensive guard in 2009, and Second Team offensive tackles in 2010. He was also named a First Team All-American by SemiProBCS.com. He played professionally for the Miami Valley Silverbacks (CIFL) in 2010 where he helped the Silverbacks make the postseason for only the second time in five seasons. Click here to see highlights of Eric Starks

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JONES SIGNS WITH AFL'S SABERCATS

Kings Comets Offensive Lineman, Jason "Coffee" Jones, has signed with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League. Jones (6'04" - 345 pounds) is from Van Nuys, CA and played collegially at the University of Idaho. He has played for the Kings Comets from 2005 to 2010, being named a 2nd Team MCFL tackle in 2005. He has also played professionally for the Dayton Warbirds (NIFL), Miami Valley Silverbacks (CIFL), Rome Gladiators (Italy), Quad Cities Steamwheelers (af2) and Cleveland Gladiators (AFL).

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R.I.P. JOVANTE WOODS

The entire Comets family extends its condolences to the family of Jovante Woods, who passed away August 14. Jovante is the younger brother of Comets defensive back Jermaine Woods and son of coach and former Cincinnati Bengal Ickey Woods. The Woods family has set up a medical / funeral fund for Jovante at PNC Bank. Ickey and Jermaine have been part of the Comets family since 2005, please keep them in your prayers and any financial assistance you may be able to provide to assist with the medical / funeral expenses would be greatly appreciated. PNC Bank: Routing # 041000124 Account # 4241384701

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COMETS' GILYARD SELECTED IN FOURTH ROUND OF NFL DRAFT

Former Kings Comets defensive back Mardy Gilyard was selected with the first pick of the fourth round (99th overall) of the NFL Draft Saturday morning by the St. Louis Rams. Gilyard becomes the first player to player for the Comets before going on to be drafted by the NFL.

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COMETS FACE-OFF ON THE INDOOR FIELD

Commandos, Silverbacks Draw From Comets Success

This past fall, the Kings Comets won the franchise’s first Mid-Continental Football League championship with a roster loaded with talent. As it turns out, that roster had so much talent, it has been able to stock two teams.

Saturday night at the Cincinnati Gardens, members of the Comets will take the field with both the Miami Valley Silverbacks and Cincinnati Commandos, facing off against one another in a Continental Indoor Football League game.

Defensive backs TiRon Jones, Austin Goss, Brandon Martin, and linemen Eric Starks and Rob Feliciano have all played for the Silverbacks this season. Dominick Goodman, Terrill Byrd, James Frazier, Andy Stuckert, and Travis Johnson have all played in games for the Commandos.

In addition, Brandon Boehm and James Spikes of the Commandos and Derrick Crawford and Richard Bailey of the Silverbacks participated in the Comets’ USA Bowl DI/3A National Championship game loss in Florida, and the Comets plans to add new players from both sides for this coming season.

Silverbacks linebacker/defensive lineman Will White also played for Kings in 2005.

“It’s fun, because you get to talk about going against each other in semi-pro,” said Jones, a defensive back. “Half our team is on the Silverbacks and the Commandos. It strengthens semi-pro in Cincinnati. Everyone knows what people are capable of.”

“It’s going to be a lot of jaw-jacking, but at the end of the day we’re all teammates,” said the Silverbacks Feliciano. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Jones has been at been at the center of most of the pre-game chatter, particularly online.

“I’m ready to play,” Jones said. “I might get kicked off Facebook for talking.”

The Comets represent both teams on the sidelines as well, with Comets head coach Brian Wells serving the same role with the Silverbacks while Commandos head coach Billy Back played under Wells with the Comets. Additionally, Commandos general manager Travis Johnson was named MVP of Kings 16-14 MCFL Championship Game win in October, making three field goals.

The Silverbacks in particular have help from other semi-pro teams like the Kentucky-Ohio Xtreme and Mount Carmel Fire.

“There’s always been a few teams around, but there’s never been as many as now. There’s more former high school and college players that you have because of the increased attention (to semi-pro football),” Wells said. “I’d like to think the Comets have had a lot to do with that and other teams have been able to benefit and build to their own level of things.”

That has led to several players being able to reach the professional ranks for the first time in their careers, a rallying point for the Silverbacks.

“It brings us all together, because we’re all rookies,” said the Silverbacks’ Goss. “The fact we all played against each other last year and we’re going to play against each other next year, we’re all in this game together. We’re still learning from each other’s mistakes.”

Players from both sides agree that the biggest adjustment to the indoor game has been the speed of the game.

“The games are a lot faster and it’s a lot more closed in with the walls,” said Goodman, a Commandos receiver.

Most players hope they can continue to climb the football ladder with their play in the CIFL, but Goss says there will be a benefit even if they don’t get a call from any of the professional fall football leagues.

“Indoor is going to prepare me better for semi-pro, so when we all get back together, we’re going to be better football players,” Goss said.

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GILYARD SET TO BECOME FIRST COMETS DRAFT PICK

Rags-to-Riches Story Continues for Kings Comets’ Mardy Gilyard

When the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, Kings Comets fans, players, and coaches will have more than the usual interest in which players their favorite teams add. That’s because University of Cincinnati All-American receiver Mardy Gilyard is projected to become the first Comet ever to be drafted after playing for the semi-pro football team.

Gilyard, projected to be selected in the second or third round on Friday, played the first three games of the 2007 season with the Comets before returning to UC as part of a rags-to-riches story that saw him go from living out of his car to this weekend’s draft.

After a season as a defensive back in 2005, his freshman year at UC, Gilyard’s career was nearly derailed.

“I was ruled academically ineligible and I had to withdraw from school,” Gilyard said. “I was pre-enrolled in school in some classes. When I got my scholarship taken, since I was pre-enrolled I got stuck with the bill.”

Over the next year, Gilyard worked as many as four jobs at a time while living out of his car, all in an effort to pay back his bill and return to the Bearcats. It was during this time that his friendship with Farrah Rogers, who he had met through the UC football program, among other players brought him to the Comets.

“At first I wasn’t allowed around the team and I just knew a couple guys who played for the Comets,” Gilyard said. “I came to a few practices and I worked out and before I knew it, Carlos (Chambers, the Comets head coach at the time) asked if I wanted to play.”

Chambers, who now coaches the Midwest Panthers, knew Gilyard’s time with the Comets would be limited, but also knew how important it was for him to get back on the field.

“He was in dire straits and football was his outlet,” Chambers said.

Gilyard worked out with the Comets throughout their off-season mini-camp, and immediately made his impact for the team in their first game that season against the Monroe County Sting, June 23. The first time he touched the ball, Gilyard ran back a punt 67 yards for the Comets only touchdown in a 26-6 loss. Gilyard finished the game with a team-record 143 yards on three punt returns, two kick returns for 55 yards, and an interception.

A mention of Gilyard’s performance in a brief summary about the game in the Cincinnati Enquirer brought up a new set of obstacles, however.

Daryl Moore, a receiver for the Comets and the team’s president at the time got an e-mail from the UC athletic department the week after that game.

“I had to fill out some paperwork for UC,” Moore said. “There was a whole questionnaire to try to show I didn’t pay him. Did he get paid to play, get any incentives, how did we travel. It was mostly about money.”

Gilyard was close to being reinstated in school, but remained with the team despite the wishes of the UC coaching staff.

“They had an idea of what kind of athlete I was, but after that return for a touchdown, they said ‘what are you doing?’,” Gilyard said. “I walk a thin line, but I know the rules.”

Since no one on the Comets is paid to play or given any other incentives, Gilyard was within NCAA regulations in staying with the team for two more games.

A 53-yard interception return in his second game set up the Comets only touchdown in a 7-6 win at the Fort Wayne Flyers the next week.

Gilyard, the future All-American receiver, finally got his wish to play offense in his final game with the Comets, July 7 at the Columbus Fire, although he caught just one pass for three yards and was tackled for a loss on his only rushing attempt.

“When he came to us, he said he played defensive back,” Chambers said. “We did not have a clue what kind of potential he had as a receiver, but we had a need in our secondary. We kept our best athletes on defense.”

“I’m kicking myself every day,” Chambers later added.

Gilyard says Chambers still helped him develop as a player, particularly by letting him help run the defense along with Dontai Fikes while he was with the team.

“They let us run the defense. We made most of the calls,” Gilyard said. “That was a blessing, having guys listen to what you have to say. They were like, ‘What do you want to run? What coverage should we be in?’

“I was a leader before that coming in, but it was knowing I could be a leader of men.”

Gilyard returned to UC after the Columbus Fire game and made an impact with the Bearcats just as quickly as he had with the Comets, making highlights around the country with his blocked punt against Oregon State in a nationally televised Thursday night game Sept. 6.

“It was exciting to see someone you’ve been coaching and you see him on ESPN,” said Chambers. “It was kind of like watching a family member be successful. It was a proud moment and a proud moment to be a Comet.”

The success that followed for Gilyard, leading the Bearcats to back-to-back Big East championships, was no surprise to those who were with him in his days with the Comets.

“You could see what his work ethic was like that with the Comets,” said Moore. “Carlos had two-a-days and he always worked hard and stayed after practice. He just has a real strong work ethic. I thought he had talent and I told him he should go back to school.”

“I’m not surprised at all,” said Chambers. “You could see if he went back to school something special was going to happen. If he got back to UC, he was going to be a star.”

And this weekend, Gilyard appears set to not only be the first Comet to be drafted into the NFL, but proof of the power of perseverance, according to Chambers.

“We played a major part in his life and he played a major part in our life,” Chambers said. “He showed if you can keep pushing and never give up, you can be successful in life if you don’t quit and you believe.”