Colony High School graduate aims for a spot on an Arena Football League roster

Sept. 8, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

Jason Deml spent his first season in the National Indoor Football League running routes through the opposing team's secondary.

Now Deml, a 2000 graduate of Colony High School, is looking to run straight toward the highest level of arena football.

After spending a season with the NIFL's Katy Copperheads, the wide receiver is now trying to catch on with a team in the Arena Football League - the highest level of professional football played on the 50-yard carpet.

&#8220That is the best thing I can do right now,” said Deml, who helped lead the Copperheads deep into the NIFL playoffs. &#8220Right now I am set on playing Arena 1.”

Deml has a tryout scheduled with the Kansas City Brigade, a team in the AFL's National Conference. Deml is considering this an excellent opportunity. First, it would land him in the league of his choice. Second, his mother lives in Kansas City, and he'd like to be close to family.

Deml has been in contact with the Brigade coaching staff, and Kansas City sent scouts to Katy's games during the 2006 season. He's also been in touch with other teams in the league, and at times, there have been talks about potential tryouts in the Canadian Football League. Regardless, the AFL is Deml's top football priority.

Deml said AFL coaches scout the NIFL much like a pro team would scout a college squad. He has been in contact with coaches who have never seen him play. With somewhat limited resources, compared to the big leagues, NIFL players have to rely on their name being passes on from coach to coach.

In his time with Katy, Deml said it was really the first time he got to prove what he can do, over a long course of a season.

&#8220I know I can play, but it felt good to come in and show what I can do,” Deml said.

In his first season, Deml posted 48 catches for 986 yards and 19 touchdowns. He led the Copperheads in each category.

&#8220Now I have bigger and better expectations,” he said.

Deml played in two Division I college programs, before making the leap to the arena level. He started at Utah State, and after a season, he transferred to Louisiana-Monroe.

Deml said his playing time was sparse at ULM. There was a coaching change prior to his senior season, and after that, he never really was settled into a position. He saw time at flanker and in the slot, and posted 19 catches in a crowded ULM receiving corps.

Deml said he valued his experience in the NIFL, but was sometimes frustrated with his league's lack of resources. Before the Copperheads' final playoff game, a 60-38 loss to Rapid City, the Katy players were forced to make the 23-hour drive from the Houston, Texas, area to Rapid City, South Dakota.

&#8220All of us had to drive. We were like zombies,” Deml said. &#8220We didn't get there until a half hour before the game.”

Deml said, as the host team, Rapid City was responsible for the travel costs, and in financial troubles, the team couldn't pick up the tab for airfare. He said that was just one of the harder aspects of playing in the low-level league.

One adjustment Deml will have to make if he does land on an AFL roster, is playing on both offense and defense. With small rosters, most AFL players are expected to compete on both sides of the ball. Deml said he is seen as a prospect at linebacker, with most of his work coming in pass coverage.

Although he has not played defense since his days at Colony, Deml is confident there won't be much of an adjustment.

Most AFL teams sport rosters full of players with major college experience, and there are some former NFL players having success in the Arena league.

The NIFL also had a high level of talent, Deml said. His roommates were from schools such as Texas A&M and Arkansas. There were three or four guys on the Copperheads roster with professional experience he said, including former Kansas City Chiefs running back Bam Morris.

Deml said it was a cool experience playing alongside a former NFL runner.

&#8220I had his rookie card growing up,” Deml said.

Next season Anchorage will be home to the Last Frontier's first arena football team, the Alaska Wild, and judging by his experience in arena football, Deml feels it is something that can work in his home state. He sees the travel as difficult, but said he believes if they can win a little and build a group of fans, the Wild can be

successful.

&#8220If they had an Arena I team, I'd be up there in a heartbeat,” Deml said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com