Caton takes football game to Czech Republic

ROGERS -- Casey Caton is getting ready for law school in the fall by playing a little professional football in Europe.

Caton, a Rogers High graduate, is spending the summer playing for the Prague Lions of the Czech American Football Association. The Lions play in the First Division of the CAFA and there are five other teams in the division. Games are played on Saturday or Sunday each week during the season.

Caton recently joined the team after graduating from Hendrix, where he was a two-time Southern Athletic Association All-Conference selection at wide receiver. He is playing receiver and punting for the Lions.

Rosters in the league can have six Americans, and the Lions only have four, including quarterback Dustin Haines, who was Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota's backup at Oregon. Only two Americans can be on the field at the same time, but Caton said that is the only difference.

"The rules are college football rules, so they are all the same," Caton said. "Our quarterback from Oregon is injured, so we are still trying to run our spread offense. We have had mixed results, mostly not-so-good ones. Hopefully, Dustin will be back in time for the playoffs."

All but one of the Lions' coaches are from the United States, but all the non-American players live in Prague or nearby. Prague has a population of two million.

"Most of the players speak at least some English, so language really isn't that big of a problem," Caton said. "It's a big challenge for the coaches because the Czech guys have jobs and school besides football. Many of them can't make it to all of our practices, which only take place three times a week."

Caton said he and the other American players help with the coaching during practice. American football has only been played in the Czech Republic for a little more than two decades.

"We do help coach the other players, and they are always willing to learn and get better," Caton said. "They have a sense of pride with this game because they chose it over soccer and hockey. They are viewed as a sort of outsider by their peers, and it seems they kind of like being different in that way."

Caton's father, Lafe, is the defensive coordinator at Pea Ridge and said he and his wife, Marla, are excited about their son's opportunity.

"When I look back at playing my last college game, I was thinking I wished it wasn't over," Lafe said. "Casey has the opportunity to go and play again. With all the unrest in the world, we were apprehensive. But this is a great opportunity to play again and see that part of the world."

Football wasn't the only thing that attracted Caton to the Czech Republic. Prague coach Zach Harrod is active in Christian missions work through, the team and he is active in that ministry, including helping out with a youth camp following the season in late July.

Caton said the opportunity to combine mission work and football while getting to tour Europe was something he couldn't pass up.

"I learned of Harrod's mission to use football as a means to build relationships with guys and ultimately share the good news of Jesus with them, news that most of them haven't ever heard before," Caton said. "My family and friends encouraged me to seize this opportunity while it was available, so that is what I did."

Caton, who will attend law school this fall at Pepperdine, said he tries to make the most of his free time away from football.

"Getting to see the sights, taste the food, meet the people and travel to nearby countries are some of my favorite things about being over here that I'll be able to remember for the rest of my life," he said. "I'm doing my best to make the most out of this opportunity and blessing. I plan on enjoying the next two months that I have here, and that includes winning some football games with the Prague Lions."

Sports on 06/07/2015