Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the names of
this year’s five inductees Friday during a press conference at the Brown Hotel in Louisville.

The five are Irv Goode, Coy Bacon, Otis Wilson, Chad Bratzke and Roman Oben.

In addition, the Kentucky Hall plans a new approach to the induction activities on Friday, June 28. Included will be a ring ceremony, Game Day Live Preview at Fourth Street Live – a free, public event on June 27 that will offer a taste of Game Day Spectacular, the official induction ceremony for this year’s honorees, to be held at the Louisville Palace. The induction ceremony will also feature a presentation of the Blanton Collier Award to brother/head coaches John (Baltimore Ravens) and Jim (San Francisco 49ers) Harbaugh, and their father Jack.

Tickets for the ceremony will cost $25, $50 and $75 and will be available online at a future date.

The Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville was chosen as this year’s beneficiary. Over the years, numerous football players have sustained spine and brain injuries, making the choice of the organization a natural fit as well as a personal one, according to Frank Minnifield, executive director of the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This year, Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame member George McAfee will also be honored during the Game Day Spectacular induction ceremony. McAfee was born in Corbin and played college football at Duke. He played running back for the Chicago Bears (1940-1941, 1945-1950). Nicknamed “One-Play McAfee” he was known for explosive speed.  He died in 2009.

Louisville head football coach Charlie Strong and Kentucky counterpart Mark Stoops will serve as event co-chairs.

Also, the 2012 All Commonwealth Collegiate Team was announced at the press conference, including Defensive Player of the Year Zack Autenrieb, and Offensive Players of the Year Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, and Larry Warford of Kentucky.

The 2013 inductees to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Irv Goode
Goode was born in Newport and played college football for Kentucky. Drafted into the NFL in the first round in 1962, he played guard for the St. Louis Cardinals (1962-1971), Buffalo Bills (1972) and the Miami Dolphins (1973-1974). He was a Super Bowl champion with the Dolphins in 1973.

Lander McCoy (Coy) Bacon
Bacon was born in Cadiz and played defensive line at Jackson State. Drafted into the NFL in 1968, he played for the Los Angeles Rams (1968-1975), San Diego Chargers (1973-1975), Cincinnati Bengals (1976-1977), Washington Redskins (1978-1981) and the USFL’s Washington Federals (1983). He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1972, 1976 and 1977.  Bacon was inducted into the American Football Association’s Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. He is being inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumously.

Otis Wilson
Wilson played linebacker for Louisville after transferring from Syracuse. He was drafted in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft and played for the Chicago Bears (1980-1987) and Los Angeles Raiders (1989). He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Bears. That same year, he made the only Pro Bowl selection of his career, and was a featured soloist of the “Shuffling Crew” in the Bears video “The Super Bowl Shuffle.” He is the father of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Quincy Wilson. Otis Wilson was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Chad Bratzke  
Bratzke played for Eastern Kentucky University. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Kodak All-American.  Selected in the fifth round of the 1994 draft, he played 10 seasons in the NFL, five for the New York Giants (1994-1998) and five for the Indianapolis Colts (1999-2003). He signed as unrestricted free agent for the Giants on March 1, 1999. He was born in Waukegan, Ill.

Roman Dissake Oben
Oben played offensive tackle for Louisville, and was also a three-year letterman in track and field. He was picked in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft, and played for the New York Giants (1996-1999). He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns (2000-2003), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-2003) and San Diego Chargers (2004-2007). He was the starting left tackle on Tampa Bay’s 2002 Super Bowl  champion team. Oben has been inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fames at Gonzaga College High School, Fork Union Military Academy and the University of Louisville.

Scott County finishes off Henry Clay 69-34.

Earlier action: Hunter Nelson’s 3-yard TD run with 6:24 left expands Scott County’s lead over Henry Clay to 69-34.

Through three quarters, Scott County leads Henry Clay 62-34.

Scott County, which has scored a touchdown on every possession, does it again. Clay McKee passes 20 yards to Thomas Daniel for a touchdown with 3:20 left in the third quarter. Scott County 62, Henry Clay 34.

Henry Clay scores on Elijah Bell’s 35-yard run. A two-point conversion pulls the Blue Devils to within three touchdowns. It’s Scott County 55, Henry Clay 34 with 9:26 left in the third quarter.

Scott County needs only 1:05 into the second half to score. Grayson Miller rumbles 26 yards with a fumble recovery. Cardinals lead Henry Clay 55-26.

Scott County and Henry Clay combine for three touchdowns in the final minute of the first half.

Scott strikes first as Clay McKee hooks up for a second time with Scott Daniel. This one, with 34.7 seconds left.

With 20.3 left, Henry Clay gets a 76-yard scoring play from Sammy Carter to Austin Black.

The Blue Devils successfully execute an onsides kick, then score on a 51-yard screen-pass play from Carter to Elijah Bell as time expires.

Halftime score: Scott County 48, Henry Clay 26.

Scott County scores its sixth touchdown of the first half with a 44-yard pass from Clay McKee to wide-open Thomas Daniel. With the PAT, the Cardinals lead Henry Clay 41-14 with 5:06 left in the half.

The points just keep on coming. Forty-seven seconds into the second quarter, Kevo Edwards’ 37-yard touchdown run makes it Scott County 34, Henry Clay 14. (PAT kick failed.)

At the end of the first quarter, Scott County leads Henry Clay 28-14.

Henry Clay strikes back with Elijah Bell’s 82-yard touchdown sweep around right end. A two-point conversion, with 2:39 left in the FIRST quarter, leaves it Scott County 28, Henry Clay 14.

After a Henry Clay punt, Scott County comes up with a long touchdown — a   72-yard pass play from Clay McKee to Scott Daniel. With the PAT, it’s Scott County 28, Henry Clay 6, 4:26 left in the first quarter.

Akil Christopher’s fumble recovery at the Henry Clay 20 leads to another Scott County touchdown. Dierries Dumphord gets his second TD of the game on a 3-yard run. With 6:33 left in the first quarter, it’s Scott County 21, Henry Clay. 6.

Jervon Christopher’s 82-yard kickoff return, the Henry Clay 11, sets up another quick score for Scott County. Kevo Edwards takes it in on a 4-yard run. Cardinals lead Henry Clay 14-6, 7:58 left in first quarter.

Henry Clay caps its first possession with a touchdown — a 3-yard run by DeArion Jones. A blocked PAT (by Keith Guy) leaves Scott County with a 7-6 lead, 8:51 left in the first quarter.

On the second play from scrimmage, Scott County’s Dierries Dumphord runs 41 yards up the middle for a touchdown. Palmer Ward’s PAT kick makes it 7-0, Cardinals over Henry Clay.

Pre-game: Getting set for a Class 6A district football game: Henry Clay vs. Scott County at Georgetown College’s Toyota Stadium.

Scott County, No. 6 in Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State, has won its last four games and is 5-1 overall. The Cardinals have won 10 in a row against Lexington teams.

Henry Clay has lost its last two games. The Blue Devils are 3-4 overall.

From Eastern Kentucky sports information guru Mike Clark …

Eastern Kentucky University punter Jordan Berry

Eastern Kentucky punter Jordan Berry is Co-Specialist of the Week in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Berry, a redshirt Australian freshman from Essendon, Victoria – near Melbourne — punted six times for an average of 52.3 yards during EKU’s 10-7 loss at UT Martin.

Included was a 75-yarder to the Skyhawks’ 3-yard line early in the third quarter. That punt was 3 yards shy of the Colonels’ record, a 78-yarder by Bob Plotts in 1966.

Four of Berry’s punts landed inside the UTM 20-yard line. He also converted a fourth-and-11 play, avoiding a tackle near the first-down marker and gaining 14 yards.

EKU ranks second in the NCAA FCS with a net punting average of 40.9 yards.

Berry shares Co-Specialist honors with Eastern Illinois’ Rashad Haynes. He is the first Panther to return a punt for a touchdown in nearly six years, scoring on a 46-yard first-quarter runback against Tennessee Tech.

Other weekly awards go to Southeast Missouri’s Henry Harris (Offense), Tennessee Tech’s Caleb Mitchell and Marcus Edwards (Defense) and Tennessee Tech’s Jocques Crawford (Newcomer).

EKU (2-4 overall, 1-1 OVC) travels to first-place Southeast Missouri on Saturday, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. ET.

Dallas          3   3   3   7   — 16
Cincinnati    0   0   0   7   –   7

* Jordan Palmer’s 1-yard touchdown toss to Darius Hill with 51 seconds left averted a shutout. Dave Rayner’s PAT made the final score: Dallas 16, Cincinnati 7.

* With the two-minute warning approaching — the time when media heads to the locker room — Dallas continues to lead 16-0.

* Mat McBriar’s punt to the Cincinnati 1-yard line led to the first touchdown of the season. With Jordan Palmer trying to connect from his own end zone with Jordan Shipley, Dallas linebacker Brandon Sharpe stepped in to intercept and return the ball 6 yard to the end zone. Buehler’s PAT gave Dallas a 16-0 lead with 9:23 left in the game.

* After an exchange of punts and the end of the third quarter, the Bengals finally mounted a drive. It ended, though, when Cordera Eason fumbled. Josh Brent recovered for the Cowboys on the Dallas 11, 13 seconds into the fourth quarter.

* Fifty-six seconds after missing a 49-yard field-goal attempt, David Buehler has nailed a 23-yarder to give Dallas a 9-0 lead. The Cowboys got the ball back when Jordan Palmer’s pass for Maurice Purify was intercepted by Brandon Williams near midfield and returned to the Cincinnati 9-yard line.

* Dallas kicker David Buehler was wide left on a 49-yard field goal with 9:59 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys still lead 6-0.

* Jordan Palmer has taken over at QB for the Bengals to start the second half, only to go three-and-out. FB Brian Leonard, injured late in the first half, is out for the rest of the game due to an injured left foot.

Bengals LB Michael Johnson (93) gets a second-quarter sack of Stephen McGee.

* Another exchange of punts and an interception concluded a lackluster first half. The interception, with 18 seconds left, went to Dallas S Danny McCray on his own 14, grabbing a desperation J.T. O’Sullivan bomb intended for Andre Caldwell.

* Since Buehler’s second field goal, the teams have exchanged punts. The Bengals have just taken over on their 5-yard line with 2:33 left in the half.

* Official attendance at Fawcett Stadium is 22,364, a sellout.

* Several Cowboys are hurting: WR Titus Ryan (broken left thumb) is done for the night; the return(s) of TE Kevin Brock (left ankle sprain) and T Alex Barron (right ankle sprain) are questionable; TE John Phillips (right knee) has been taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

* Dallas has doubled its lead to 6-0, getting a 34-yard field goal by David Buehler. His kick capped an eight-play, 39-yard drive and came with 6:11 left in the half. Dallas used its third QB of the game to engineer the drive, Stephen McGee.

* After an exchange of punts, the Bengals have come up with the first turnover of the game. Dallas RB Herb Donaldson coughed the ball up and MLB Abdul Hodge recovered for the Bengals on the Cincinnati 24-yard line. However, the Bengals went backwards to the 4 and punted with 10:34 left in the half.

* The Bengals “skills” players apparently are done for the night. QB Carson Palmer, who has been replaced by J.T. O’Sullivan, finishes 2-for-5 for 18 yards. Both receptions were made by Terrell Owens. RB Cedric Johnson carried two times for 7 yards.

* Jonathan Fanene got the Bengals’ first sack, a 7-yard drop of Jon Kitna, and forced a fumble. C Travis Bright recovered for the Cowboys. At the end of one quarter, Dallas in possession at its 41-yard line: Cowboys 3, Bengals 0.

* The Bengals’ second possession began with an 11-yard Palmer-to-Owens pass. However, Cincinnati then went 1-2-3 kick, with Palmer getting sacked.

* Kitna went 2-for-4 on the Cowboys’ second drvie, which ended with a punt.

* Bengals S Chris Crocker suffered an injury to his right ankle when the Bengals punted to end their first possession. He will not return.

* The Cowboys opened their second possession with a new quarterback — former Bengals passer Jon Kitna.

* Nothing doing on the Bengals’ first possession. They did pick up a first down on Carson Palmer’s first pass attempt, good for 7 yards to Terrell Owens. The Bengals soon punted.

* Dallas took the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards in 14 plays to score the game’s first points, a 20-yard field goal by David Buehler. The Cowboys were fortunate to get the points and the Bengals were just as fortunate to hold Dallas to only three points. On first-and-goal from the 5, Dallas running back Felix Jones fumbled. Leon Hall recovered for the Bengals in the end zone, but Jonathan Fanene had lined up offsides. Given another chance, first-and-goal from the 2, Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw three incompletions before Buehler came in. Dallas 3, Cincinnati 0 (9:25 left in first quarter).

The Cincinnati Bengals warm up at Fawcett Stadium. (Photo by Mark Maloney)

Awaiting kickoff for the exhibition-season opener — the Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio — between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys.

• Cincinnati’s inactives: WR Antonio Bryant (knee); OT Andre Smith (foot); S Tom Nelson (knee); LB Rashad Jeanty (leg); FB Fui Vakapuna (shoulder); K Mike Nugent (groin/leg); CB Johnathan Joseph (thigh); RB Cedric Peerman (not specified); LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring); and DE Carlos Dunlap (concussion).in

With Vakapuna out, Louisville rookie Joe Tronzo will get the start at fullback. Adam “Pacman” Jones will start at cornerback in place of Joseph. And Michael Johnson will start at SAM linebacker in place of Maualuga.

• Dallas inactives will include DE Marcus Spears (knee); WR and No. draft pick Dez Bryant (ankle).

The Dallas Cowboys prepare for Sunday

Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis checks his notes during Monday morning's workout at Georgetown College. (Photo by Mark Maloney)

Hot, humid, a bright sun. Perfect weather for … football?

That was Marvin Lewis’ take Monday at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Georgetown College training camp.

“It’s been pretty good,” Lewis said after the team’s seventh practice of camp. “I think the weather has been cooperating — hot and humid, and helps get us acclimated and ready for the season.”

Lewis gave the morning off to several players, including running back Cedric Benson. Dressed in jersey and shorts, as were all the Bengals, Benson merely watched. He’s scheduled to be back in the mix for Monday night’s workout.

“We’ve been able to give our players who need a little bit of some rest some much-needed … time off their legs at times,” Lewis said. “And some of the young guys, lean on them a little bit more to get them a little bit more reps. Guys that need to have a little bit more learning, getting that opportunity, so that’s a good thing.”

Lewis also had several of his veterans working at their “second positions” — spots where they may have to move later in the season in case of injuries.

Returning to action Monday was cornerback Leon Hall (back tightness) and guard Evan Mathis (calf). Still out due to pre-camp surgery and/or injury are safety Tom Nelson (knee), linebacker Rashad Jeanty (leg) and offensive tackle Andre Smith (foot). Rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap also is out (concussion).

“Our tempo has been pretty good,” Lewis said. “Obviously there’s a couple plays that wane in there and I have to remind them about it. Because we seem to have a little dip every once in a while, which is natural and expected. But we’ve got to pick it up and get going — your tempo in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage and the things we need to do.”

* Wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who gave up his No. 81 jersey to Terrell Owens, is wearing No. 19. However, Bryant likely will be wearing a number in the 80s before the season begins.

Jerome Simpson laid out to make a long "touchdown catch" during Thursday morning's drills. (Maloney photo)

The Cincinnati Bengals opened training camp at Georgetown College on Thursday morning, missing the most talked-about player on the squad.

Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens, who agreed to terms with the team Tuesday, had been scheduled to piggy-back with Coach Marvin Lewis’ mid-day press conference. However, Owens had flight problems and is not expected to arrive at the Greater Cincinnati Airport in Northern Kentucky until about 2 p.m.

Chad Ochocino grabs a pass under the watchful eye of receivers coach Mike Sheppard. (Maloney photo)

“He should arrive some point later today and we’ll have to go through some of the things we have to do administratively with him,” Lewis said at his press conference. “Hopefully, we’ll get him on the field this evening (a 7 p.m. workout). But, may not be, so we’ll have to see how it works — if he gets here in time to take care of the things we need to take care of.”

Lewis gave a thumbs up to the defending AFC North champions’ first workout in shorts and helmets.

“As a football team, we reported in outstanding shape,” he said. “I thought we had good work today on the field. A good start, good kickoff to things.”

Lewis said five players have been listed on “active PUP” (physically unable to perform):

* Rashad Jeanty (LB), who is recovering from off-season leg surgery;

* Leon Hall (CB), due to “slight tightness in his back” that could limit his participation for a few days;

* Evan Mathis (OG), who is day-to-day as he recovers from a calf strain suffered in June;

* Andre Smith (OT), foot rehab, who could be ready in two-to-three weeks;

* Tom Nelson (S), who had recent surgery to clean out his knee and could be out two-to-four weeks.

No need for injury alarm, though. Lewis described the active PUP moves as precautionary.

“We just took the ability to do this right now, and that’s the best way to do it, is put these guys on the active PUP,” he said.

Michael Johnson led the way in a defensive agility drill. (Maloney photo)

After a Thursday night and Friday afternoon practice, the Bengals will don pads for the first time Saturday. They begin exhibition play the following weekend, Aug. 8 (Sunday) against Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio.

Chad Ochocinco, who has dubbed himself Robin to Owens’ Batman, reiterated Thursday that he thinks the Bengals are armed to win a Super Bowl.

Talking about Owens, Lewis brought Ochocinco’s comment into the conversation.

Owens is, Lewis said, “a guy who has got some skins on the wall, an accomplished player and is looking goal-wise to match up with the same things we are. He’s done everything else. … But simply us just talking about it, as my favorite wide receiver seems to want to do, that doesn’t get you there. You’ve got to do the work and you’ve got to make the plays.”

* Antonio Bryant, like Owens an off-season free-agent acquisition at wide receiver, practiced in his assigned No. 81. However, he reportedly has agreed to give up the number to Owens in exchange for a donation to the Overtown Optimists, a youth football team in his hometown of Miami.

“I don’t need anything. He’s had that number. He’s got the legacy with that and I’ve had a lot numbers,” Bryant told Geoff Hobson of bengals.com. “I just told them to give those kids something. At least $8,000 for all the uniforms and registration and all the equipment they need.  They’re trying to get where we are.”

Take a good look: Antonio Bryant looks for the ball while wearing No. 81 -- the number he has ceded to Terrell Owens. Receivers coach Mike Sheppard checks out the play. (Maloney photo)

The Cincinnati Bengals announced Friday that they and Georgetown College have agreed to a one-year extension of the team’s contract to hold training camp at the school’s East Campus Athletic Complex. The agreement now runs through 2011, which will be the Bengals’ 15 consecutive year at Georgetown.

“The length of the relationship is reflective of the college’s excellent facilities and professional staff,” Troy Blackburn, Bengals vice president, said in a press release issued by the team. “We remain convinced of the benefits of starting our season in a camp situation and Georgetown provides us with exactly what we need, including a location (an hour from Cincinnati) that makes camp visits possible for many of our fans.”

Last season, Cincinnati’s seventh with Marvin Lewis as head coach, the Bengals went 6-0 in divisional play and won the AFC North title with a 10-6 regular-season record. The New York Jets knocked off the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs, 24-14.

Before coming to Georgetown, the Bengals held pre-season camp at Wilmington (Ohio) College for 29 years. Players report to this season’s camp Wednesday, with first drills scheduled Thursday.

Said Eric Ward, Georgetown athletic director: “It will be our goal, just as it has been for the past 13 years, to create a suitable environment for the Bengals to prepare for a Super Bowl and the fans to enjoy a unique training camp experience.”

The Bengals begin exhibition play Aug. 8, facing the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio. The exhibition home opener will be Aug. 15 against the Denver Broncos.  Cincinnati will open the regular season Sept. 12, visiting the New England Patriots, with the home opener Sept. 19 against the Baltimore Ravens.

For the full schedule, visit: Bengals schedule

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, arguably the greatest female athlete of our time, will be coming to Lexington this summer.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

“JJK” will join one of her Olympic teammates, Lexington’s Sharrieffa Barksdale, for a three-day track and field camp at Henry Clay High School.

The camp, focusing on “sprints, speed, throws, jumps and hurdles” will run in split sessions from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., June 7-9. The opening session, 9 a.m.-noon, is for ages 7-11. The second session, 1-4 p.m., is for ages 12-18. Besides track and field athletes, the camp caters to baseball, basketball, football, soccer and tennis players hoping to refine their speed.

Cost for the three days is $300. Coaches may attend for $200.

JJK competed in four Olympics as a heptathlete and long-jumper.

In the heptathlon, she earned a silver medal in the 1984 Games at Los Angeles, then struck gold in 1988 at Seoul and in 1992 at Barcelona. In the long jump, she won gold in 1988, then took bronzes in 1992 and in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Sharrieffa Barksdale

Barksdale also competed in the 1984 Olympics, reaching the semifinals in the 400-meter hurdles. She is the former American record-holder in the event. Barksdale has remained active in the sport and served as assistant manager of the U.S. Olympic track and field team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Campers will receive a T-shirt and autographed camp photo.

A breakdown of disciplines:

Sprints — Campers will hone sprint drills, 40-yard dash, block-start technique, form running, acceleration, speed maintenance and relay exchanges.

Throws — Will be covered in detail, including training technique, and focusing on shot put and discus.

Jumps — The high jump will be broken into simple easy-to-learn parts. The long jump will be covered start-to-landing by JJK. Campers will be able to see and correct faults in their technique.

Hurdles — Technique for both long and short hurdles will be taught by JJK and Barksdale. Included will be instruction in how to alternate lead legs in order to prevent loss of momentum.

One of my favorite stories about technique comes from JJK’s husband, revered coach Bobby Kersee. Twenty years-or-so ago he was explaining to a group of reporters that the idea in the hurdles is to keep “air time” over the barriers to a minimum because that is when momentum is lost. So skim over the hurdle as close as possible without making contact, then snap that lead leg down to get back on the track. One day at practice he made his point with this visual — and I’m paraphrasing — “Jackie, I’m going to set this dime on top of a hurdle. I want you to knock it off, but don’t touch the hurdle.” Now, that’s a difficult drill!

For more information, contact Barksdale at  (859) 519-7131  or by e-mail at Blairs3833@yahoo.com.

EKU's Derek Hardman in action vs. Kentucky.

Derek Hardman, who started 46 consecutive games on the Eastern Kentucky offensive line, will play Saturday in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Football Challenge at El Paso, Texas.

The game will be televised by CBS College Sports at 2 p.m.

Saturday’s game format pits players originally from Texas or who played collegiate football in the state against players from the rest of the nation. Last year, 93 percent of the participants eventually signed NFL contracts.

Antwaun Molden represented EKU in the 2008 game.

Hardman’s coach this weekend is former University of Kentucky player and University of Louisville coach Howard Schnellenberger, now the head coach of Florida Atlantic.

Murray’s Lane rumbles 6 (yards) for 6 (points)

Austen Lane, Murray State’s All-American defensive end, came up big in last weekend’s all-star football highlights.

Lane, from Iola, Wis., returned a fumble for a 6-yard touchdown to help the North to a 31-13 victory over the South in the Senior Bowl at Mobile, Ala. Lane fell on the ball and didn’t run until teammates alerted him that the play was still alive.

“I forgot that it was NFL rules, so thankfully a teammate picked me up and helped me out,” Lane said. “I was in shock when I scored and once again didn’t know how to celebrate. I am going to have to work on my celebrations.”

Lane will continue to train in Florida, preparing for the NFL Combine scheduled Feb. 24-March 2 at Indianapolis.

Tommy Johnson, named Thursday as coach of the Kentucky Horsemen, says the “stamp” he intends to put on the arena football team starts with defense.

Tommy Johnson

“Defense is what’s going to lead us to a championship,” he said. “I played on an Alabama team that had probably one of the best defenses in college football, and that’s one of the things that’s been my staple for a long time, is defense.

“I think that you will see a team that, first of all, has a lot of character. We want to make sure that our young men understand that this is just a sport, this is just a game. Children wake up every Saturday and play this for free, and you have the privilege ofplaying it for money. So you’ll see a team that’s full of character and you’ll see a team that’s going to play just-nasty defense, and we’re going to score a lot of points.”

Johnson replaces Mike Harmon, the Tates Creek head coach, who recently resigned from the Horsemen. Johnson says he plans to consult Harmon: “Absolutely, I will. I’d be crazy not to. Coach Harmon, he’s had some success on the football field here. I’d be crazy not to seek a little information on the guys and what they can do.”

Matt DiLorenzo, general manager of the Horsemen, said that he consulted with football contacts, Arena Football League officials and the commissioner of arenafootball2.

“The same name kept coming up,” DiLorenzo said, indicating Johnson.

So an interview was arranged.

“I knew within the first three minutes that this man was our man,” DiLorenzo said.

Johnson is the former head coach of the Louisville Fire. He was hired to be defensive coordinator of the Colorado Crush last season, but the AFL suspended operations before the season began.

A defensive back, Johnson was a team captain at Alabama, which won the 1992 No. 1 ranking by beating Miami in the Sugar Bowl. He also played professionally with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with several AFL teams and in NFL Europe. His coaching career began in 2001 as defensive coordinator of the Fire.

He and his wife Monica live in Louisville, where he is a volunteer assistant on Tim Green’s staff at Kentucky Country Day High School.

Also on the KCD staff is Justin Rascati, who split Horsemen quarterback chores last season with Jared Lorenzen.

Johnson says that continuing a quarterback rotation is not in his plans, though.

“When you have a quarterback of those two guys’ caliber, you have to go with one guy and you have to stick with him,” Johnson said. “You have to get a guy in there that can lead your team. I think every good team has a starting quarterback and a quarterback they feel comfortable with coming in if something happens with that starter. But the rotation thing, it gets those guys our of their rhythm. We want to get those guys in a situation where they’ve got their rhythm and they’re moving our team down the field and scoring points.”

Brett Kincaid, chairman of the board for the team, said the Horsemen will be changing leagues next season, moving from arenafootball2 to a league that will include AFL teams and teams from some smaller leagues. The Horsemen begin training in March.

About 10 players attended Thursday’s press conference, held on the Rupp Arena concourse.

Johnson stressed to them that he expects them to put the community first, show respect, play hard and do what they can to make the fans feel at home. If they do, they will be rewarded with a faithful following that will “cheer us to championships. We will win football games. We are going to take this thing to the next level.”

DiLorenzo said the team is “looking into” adding a “kid zone” for home games; freezing and lowering ticket-package prices; offering payment plans, and merging sponsorships and family ticket packages with the new basketball team in town, the Bluegrass Stallions.

Johnson accepted an on-the-spot offer by Stallions owner Tony Chase to suit up for a game as the basketball team’s 13th man – a celebrity roster spot that each team has for home games.

Most of all, though, Johnson wants to win football games.

“We want to get back to that championship trophy. We want to get back to that point where we’re the cream of the crop,” he said. “The Horsemen have a storied history of being the best and we’re going to get back to that. … I am overly excited about getting started because I know the potential of this team and where we can go.”

Johnson says he has interviewed some “pretty exciting candidates” to be on his staff, but will continue the search: “We are going to interview every coach that wants to interview.”

Asked what his salary will be, Johnson said, “Haven’t negotiated that yet. I can tell you this: it is a league-mandatory salary cap. … I just don’t know how much I will be compensated.”

And he has a message for the public: “To all the fans out there that have not been to an arena football league game, give us one game. I promise you, at the end of the game, you will come up to me and say, ‘Coach, you were right. This is a phenomenal, family-fun game.”