Arena football: Blaze sign local talent, plan tryouts, announce schedule for inaugural season

WEST VALLEY CITY — The Utah Blaze, which will open their first Arena Football 1 season in April, have announced the signings of several local football players to their roster and will hold open tryouts on Saturday in Provo.

The players who will join the Blaze for their inaugural season include Arena Football League veteran Aaron Bone, American Indoor Football Association standouts Mike Affleck, Akamu Aki and Scott Thomsen, former University of Utah standouts Jason Boone and Derek Richards and former Utah State standout Brian Soi.

Aaron Boone, a wide receiver, prepped at Millard High School in Fillmore, Utah, and played collegiately at Snow Junior College and the University of Kentucky. He also played briefly in the NFL and NFL Europe. Most recently, Boone played for the AFL's Utah Blaze and recorded more than 1,500 receiving yards in 2008.

Affleck, a quarterback, prepped at Timpview High School in Provo and finished up his collegiate career at Utah State. Last year he guided the Utah Valley Thunder of the AIFA to an 11-4 record and a berth in the playoffs. He led the AIFA in passing efficiency at 109.6. He was second in the league in passing yards (3,037) and was third in touchdown passes (58). He also rushed for 15 touchdowns.

Aki, a wide receiver, played collegiately at Weber State University before becoming one of the top receivers for the Utah Valley Thunder in 2009. He led the team in TD catches (30), receptions (86) and yards (1,046). His 86 catches were third-best in the AIFA and his 30 TD catches ranked second.

Thomsen, a kicker, played collegiately at Northeastern State prior to becoming a member of the Utah Valley Thunder last year. Thomsen kicked 54 extra-points and six field goals. He kicked a 38-yard field goal with one second in regulation to send the game into overtime against the Ogden Knights. His extra-point later proved to be the game-winner in a 70-69 win.

Jason Boone, an offensive lineman, also prepped at Millard High School and is the younger brother of Aaron Boone. He was an honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference offensive lineman while playing for the University of Utah. He played in 35 games in his career with the Utes.

Richards, a wide receiver, prepped at American Fork High School in American Fork before he playing collegiately at the University of Utah. While at Utah, he was an honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference selection in 2006. He finished his career with the Utes with 135 catches for 1,644 yards and 13 touchdowns.