J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO: Running Back Brandon Cannon collides with John Chaney III at the Louisiana Hurricanes practice Saturday. (Staff Photo by J . Edmund Barnes) RESERVE- The coach’s voice carries from the field all the way across to the parking lot. The words are difficult to understand, what with a strong breeze and the hum of the highway a few hundred yards away, but their meaning is clear. The coach is very upset with someone, and he is letting him know in no uncertain terms exactly what it is that someone has done wrong. Yup, it’s football season again. While the NFL pre-season doesn’t begin until August, and with the XFL’s future in grave doubt, it may come as a surprise to some that there is professional football during the summer. The North American Football League (NAFL) is set to begin its third season in late June, and the St. John’s Louisiana Hurricanes are ready to compete. Hurricanes Head Coach John Riley stands on the sidelines, watching the offense and defense go through their separate practices. He takes it all in, evaluating and commenting on various player’s skills and deficiencies. “Johnnie Williams didn’t play any college. He plays on the defensive line, and no one has gained one hundred yards against our defensive line.” He pauses, watching as the safeties run their interception drill. “Quincess Sorell. He plays for the (Arena Football League)Baton Rouge Blaze. When their season is over he’ll be playing for us. Hits like a dump truck, but can’t cover…” He trails off, watching the ball as it climbs to the top of a shallow ballistic arc. The safeties are following it, too, and rush to get under it. But they’re out of position, and the ball bounces away. The defensive coordinator isn’t happy, and points out several glaring faults in the coverage. The intensity displayed by the coaches and the players borders on recklessness. It’s only a practice, yet pads are popping with hits delivered at full power. “Everyone out there hopes to be professional players,” said general manager Keith Balin. “Our goal is to get our players to the next level, where they get paid to play.” In the world of minor league football, ticket receipts are only a means of keeping the player’s equipment in good condition as well as covering expenses during road trips. The players themselves don’t get paid. They take other jobs in and around town, from construction and delivery work to enforcing the law with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department. They might punch the clock during the day, but three times a week and once a weekend, they are playing for themselves and their future. A future perhaps with a professional team who will sign their paychecks. Maybe even the chance to play with in the NFL. That’s why they train as hard as they do. Line coach Paul Rando said that they want players with some college experience. While talented candidates just out of high school are occasionally accepted, the Hurricanes and the rest of the NAFL prefer athletes who have played at the next level. Their reasoning is simple: no one hits as hard as they do. There is a quality of desperation and frustration in their play, as each hit might be the one that gets them noticed by the scouts. Everyone gives 110 percent, every play. “Tyrone Hughs (former Saint and current Cowboy) came by here to train. Our guys just ran him off the field. He couldn’t handle it,” said Balin. The St. John’s Louisiana Hurricanes’ practices are open to the public. Their schedule is available on their website at expage.com/stjohnscanes. For more information about the St. John’s Louisiana Hurricanes, call 652-4455.