Despite turmoil, Heroes will host Fayetteville

HUNTINGTON -- Carlos Clayton is out of time. The new coach of the Huntington Heroes has done a rush job to get a team together and ready for today's American Indoor Football Association game against the Fayetteville Guard at Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"I've had to pray a lot," said Clayton, who took over this week as head coach after Teddy Keaton resigned. "It's hard now. There's the time issue. We've had to take baby steps. I'm sure there'll be some breakdowns."

The Heroes, in their third year in the AIFA, have had their share of financial problems. The latest chapter happened April 24 when players refused to board the bus for a game in Florence, S.C. New owner Brent Blankenship met with the team and said he paid them in cash, making them current through April 19. All assistants were paid. Keaton was not paid at the time, but Blankenship said that issue will be settled.

The unrest resulted in several players leaving. Four landed in Fayetteville along with Heroes assistant Charles Gunning. He took over as head coach last Sunday. This is the first game for the Guard (1-4) under Gunning.

"He'll have a game plan and players in the right places," Clayton said of Gunning.

The Heroes, using what amounted to a replacement team last week, lost to Florence, 66-12, to drop to 5-2.

Clayton said Heroes management has addressed two of three major issues -- training staff and workman's comp. The third is pay. "We'll see," Clayton said.

Many of the skill players Keaton brought to Huntington are still with the Heroes. They include quarterback Darnell Kennedy and receivers Octavius Day, Marcus Bryant and Tario Frederick. The concern is in the line where Josh Pugh is the lone regular back on offense.

Vets on defense include linemen Jamaal Whyce and Brandon Johnson, linebacker Michael "Kool-Aid" Owens and back Craig Chisolm. Kicker Jason Terry remains, too.

"Depth is an issue," Clayton said.

Heroes players made two public appearances Friday. They took part in the Community Trust Bank grand opening at Pullman Square. They passed out medals, posed for pictures and signed autographs at the Wayne County Special Olympics at Spring Valley High School.