"I have an American Family Insurance agency I run in Orem," quarterback Caleb Eastman, a former Hillcrest High and Idaho State player, told the Standard-Examiner in Ogden. "That's my full-time gig, and this is kind of my hobby, just keeping the dream alive."

Aki said he is playing in the AIFA as a way to sharpen his skills for an eventual tryout with the Utah Blaze if they return for the 2010 season.

Affleck, whose team is quarterbacked by his son, Mike, and has enjoyed plenty of success with its roster filled with former college players, said he'll end up losing money this year.

"But I'll have a pretty good write-off for my other businesses," he said.

Affleck said it takes $350,000 to $400,000 to operate a team for a season. That includes marketing, player paychecks, coaches, equipment and leasing an arena.

Without sponsors and hefty ticket sales — Affleck said he is giving away hundreds of tickets per game hoping to build a fan base — the future is anything but safe.

Still, the games will go on for the rest of the season, with the Thunder eyeing a potential home game in the AIFA playoffs.

Ogden hosts the Thunder on June 13.

American Indoor Football Association

Teams: 14 teams in three divisions

Players: 20-man active roster, max of 10 more on practice squad

Pay: $200 per game for active roster, $50 bonus for a win

On the Web: UtahValleyThunder.com

OgdenKnights.com

aifaprofootball.com

Thunder lead briefly, but fall to the Cavalry in Casper

CASPER, Wyo. — After the Utah Valley Thunder took their first lead and only lead of the game late in the second quarter in American Indoor Football Association action Friday night, the Wyoming Cavalry scored 28 unanswered points en route to the 52-32 victory.

The Thunder, who entered the game trailing the Cavalry by a game in the Western Conference standings, took a brief 20-16 lead in the second quarter when Mike Affleck hit Akamu Aki with an eight-yard touchdown pass, but they would never lead again.

The Cavalry (10-1) regained the lead with two scores right before the half and then added two more early in the third quarter to put the game away.

Affleck finished the game going 17-of-34 for 200 yards and four touchdowns, but he was intercepted four times. Tim Simmons led the Thunder receivers with nine catches for 100 yards and two scores, while Jeff Johnson had seven for 92 yards.American Indoor

E-MAIL: jeborn@desnews.com