The Heroes are exciting about their most recent signing of three quality quarterbacks for the 2012 season. All three quarterbacks have strong throwing arms and adapt well to the indoor game. In order to run the high scoring offense of the Heroes coaching staff the Heroes had to heavily recruit for the position and have selected the following players including a seasoned indoor veteran and two quality rookies. Two of the players Aries and Patrick throw for a combined total of over 14,000 yards and 80 touchdowns in their college careers. Coach Gunnings states “Having this type of talent coming in is the key to our program especially at the quarterback position.

Aries is well known in the indoor/arena game and has tremendous experience. His ability to take control of the game is a coach’s dream it is like having an extra coach on the field. Patrick is a versatile player that can beat you with his arm as well as his feet. He is a rookie to the indoor game but I feel he is going to be a true Hero to the Cape Fear region and a talented professional player for many years to come. Garrett really impressed me with both his ability and performance at our last tryout. Coming from UNC-Pembroke Garrett was coached by one of my former teammates and players Jamie Deese whose opinion I greatly respect when it comes to talent”.


Aries Nelson- Aries gives the Heroes a veteran leader as well as a proven winner having led two indoor teams to the playoffs in his professional career. His knowledge of the indoor game is like having an extra coach on the field and will be beneficial to helping the younger Heroes players improve upon their game.

In 2010 Aries led the Harrisburg Stampede to an 11-3 regular season record in the AIFA. He also led them to a first round playoff win against the Erie Storm before losing to the eventual 2010 undefeated AIFA Champion Baltimore Mariners. During the season Aries passed for over 300 yards in six different games.

Aries also played for the Mississippi Mudcats of the AIFA in 2008. The Mudcats where one of the strongest professional arena/indoor football teams in the country at the time and finished the 2008 regular season with a 13-0  record and an overall record of 15-1. Aries lead his team to an exciting come from behind victory in the first round of the AIFA playoffs against the Columbus Lions before losing to the Wyoming Cavalry in the AIFA Western Conference Finals.

Patrick Pinkney- Is a former East Carolina quarterback and is new to the game of indoor football but has exceptional skills. During his college career at ECU Patrick completed 563 passes for 6981 yards and 39 touchdowns through the air while rushing for another 437 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He lead his Pirates to back to back Conference USA Championship Games (2008, 2009) and three consecutive bowl games the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (2007) and the Liberty Bowl (2008, 2009).

Patrick went toPine Forest High School in Fayetteville North Carolina where he threw for 1,680 yards and 12 TDs completing 122-of-137 passes as a senior team captain while also rushing for 1,172 yards and 17 scores on 202 carries for Coach Dean Saffos. He was a four-year starter at Pine Forrest and led his squad to the third round of the state playoffs during his senior season. In addition he earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and was chosen to the all-state squad and selected to play in the East-West All-Star game after his senior campaign. Patrick played a key role for a Trojan program that produced a four-year record of 30-14, he was named freshman-of-the-year after an outstanding rookie year (led team to 8-3 mark) and was rated as the 31st-best prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep Magazine. Patrick also earned four varsity letters each in basketball and baseball and in the classroom he earned selection to Honor Roll and was chosen as Pine Forest's "Most Outstanding Senior."

Garrett Sutphen- is a young strong armed quarterback from University of North Carolina-Pembroke who impressed the Heroes coaching staff in their last open tryout. Although seeing limited action in college he has all the tools to be a great indoor quarterback.