Interviews at the Cincinnati Dukes Tryout: See why Dukes Players are Choosing the Continental Football League
On March 21, I made my way up to a state and city where I spent most of my upbringing- Cincinnati, Ohio- for the final Dukes open tryout. I am grateful to Cincinnati Dukes Head Coach, Slash Moore, for giving me media access before, during, and after the tryout. Athletes from across the Midwest showed up to the Dukes tryout to prove that they can play professional football. These athletes were evaluated on skill and positional drills to see who were the best players to add to the Dukes.
With my media access, I was able to interview players throughout the tryout. I asked each player, “Why are you choosing the Continental Football League?” Here’s responses from recently signed Cincinnati Dukes:
“Why are you choosing the Continental Football League?”
OT Gabriel Bookman
“It’s close to home. I’m a native to Ohio. I like the mission they are having to have a summer league, and I really want to play football more in my life.”
DL Jeffrey Black
“I think they’re giving me a good opportunity to continue my football career. I’m really thankful for it.”
LS Smith Hickenlooper
“I picked the Continental Football League just because I played for the Dukes in semi-pro and figured I’d stay with the great organization.”
DB Jaylen Feltha
“I just felt like it’s the best opportunity for me to put my name out there and explore different football leagues and what to play and who to play with.”
LB Ivory Parker
“Coach Slask hit me up, so he asked me to pop out so I’m out here for my opportunity.”
QB Kimani Murray
“I’ve been doing semi-pro for 9 years now, so I felt like it was a great opportunity to go from semi-pro to Continental League.”
WR Caleb Foltz (CF3)
“Just another opportunity to play the game I love, and I also enjoy making content, so any opportunity to do that, I’ll do it.” The Continental Football League is providing athletes with an opportunity to continue their football careers and move up to higher leagues. The full video from the Dukes tryout is on my Instagram Page isaacdstauffer2026. The full video has interviews from other tryout attendees, and each player gave their best, “Let’s Go Dukes!” Comment who had the best, “Let’s Go Dukes!”
The Cincinnati Dukes Preseason Opener is on Sat, May 23 vs the Midwest Vengeance at Mason High School.