Local football team ‘looking for guys’ to fill roster

Somer Breeze-Hanson/Northwest Guardian

The National Football League concluded its 2011 season on Super Bowl Sunday, but the sport is just starting to pick up steam locally.

Two Tacoma-based football teams are recruiting local talent for the summer season. The Tacoma Cobras of the Professional Developmental Football League and the Pierce County Bengals of the Northwest Football League are building up their rosters and putting practice schedules together.

The Cobras have won the PDFL championship every year since the league was established in 2009. Last month they held a combine tryout for the 2012 season and will hold a second Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. Refer to www.tacomacobras.com for the location.

“We’re looking for guys who have college experience, but it’s not necessary,” PDFL and Cobra team owner Theo Hall said.

Registration is $65 and players must be at least 21. This will be the final combine for the Cobras, as they will start practice in March and open the season April 21. All home games will be played at Franklin Pierce.

“There’s going to be very competitive football,” Hall said. “Most of the guys that play are trying to go to the next level. Those are the type of players that they’ll be playing against.”

Director of Athletic Development Nick Vujnich conducts the drills, which include the 40-yard dash, agility drills and bench press. Coaches will also work with players on position-specific drills.

Vujnich works with the team in its off-season training programs at Battlefield Sports Conditioning in Tacoma. The Cobras pay for the training program for players who make the team and cover 50 percent of the rate for players who don’t make the team but wish to continue to train and improve.

The PDFL gives former college and high school players exposure for professional and arena scouts. Military members looking for an alternative to flag football have options off post.

Justin Jordan of the 504th Military Police Battalion played flag football at JBLM as well as tackle football for the Cobras last year. For more information visit www.tacomacobras.com.

The Bengals have been around since 1972 and also offer a semi-professional opportunity to play beyond high school and college. The Bengals practice Saturdays at 3 p.m. at Washington High School in Tacoma. They are still looking for players to fill their roster. Contact the team through its Facebook page, Pierce County Bengals.