Kain is Able: former Simpson receiver helps Barnstormers to postseason

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Four years removed from captivating fans with his circus-like catches for the Simpson College football team, Dusty Kain is back to his old tricks. Only this time there is a roof over his head.

In his first full season with the Arena Football League 2's Iowa Barnstormers, Kain is the team's third-leading receiver, helping the franchise earn a berth in the Arena Cup Playoffs and claim the Midwest Division Championship.

After closing out the season by winning five in a row and nine of its last 10, second-seeded Iowa (12-4) will host the No. 7 Manchester Wolves (7-9) at Wells Fargo Arena in a 7:05 p.m. start on Friday.

"It's exciting to have one playoff game at home for sure, especially for the fans," Kain said. "And it's our chance to show everybody that we are pretty good, especially after last year's struggles."

The 26-year-old Prairie City-native graduated from Simpson in 2006 after a stellar two-sport career that saw him earn five all-conference honors between football and baseball. Kain was an integral piece of Simpson's last playoff run on the gridiron in 2003, earning Second-Team All-American honors. He holds every major single-season and career receiving record for the Storm.

Although the arena game is different from traditional football - less players (eight rather than 11) and a shorter field (50 yards instead of 100) - Kain was able to make a smooth transition thanks in large part to the Spread offense Simpson ran when he was in college.

"It is definitely different," Kain said. "The game itself is a lot quicker. Outdoors you can float your routes and take more time, but in arena you have to get to where you're going.

"The style of play here is similar to what we had at Simpson: a lot of passing, just on a smaller scale."

Upon completion of his collegiate career, Kain chose to chase a career in baseball. After attending multiple try-outs in the summer of 2006, he landed a spot with an independent league team in Kansas City in the spring of 2007.

Unfortunately, his stint didn't last long.

"I got cut after about a month," said the two-time, second team All-Iowa Conference baseball pick. "It left a bad taste in my mouth because I thought I was good enough to play baseball."

While attending baseball try-outs, Kain worked out at Acceleration Iowa Sports Training, owned by former Simpson assistant and current Barnstormers assistant, Jack Whitver.

"Whitver mentioned the possibility of me playing for the Barnstormers, but I didn't think much of it," Kain said.

Then in the fall of 2007, Kain began coaching football at Bondurant-Farrar under then-head coach Jeremy Whalen. An All-American in football and wrestling at Simpson in the late-90s, Whalen also suggested Kain give af2 a try.

It was then that Kain took action, contacting yet another Simpson alum in Aaron Roland, an account executive for the Barnstormers. Roland pointed Kain in the right direction and he signed with the team mid-way through the 2008 season.

Since then Kain has proven a steady performer for the Barnstormers, collecting 54 catches for 614 yards with 18 touchdowns during the regular season. His breakout performance came in a 54-48 defeat of then league-leading and previously undefeated Spokane on July 4. Kain grabbed five catches - four of which were touchdowns, including one that earned him the af2's Big Game Catch of the Week Award for Week 15.

Kain used one hand to haul in a pass from quarterback Brian Villanueva for Iowa's first score of the contest, an image Simpson-faithful grew accustomed to during the 5-10, 175 pounder's career.

"I don't try to do it, and I actually yell at my kids for doing it when I'm coaching," Kain said of one-handed attempts. "But sometimes you have to do it. You can reach further with one hand than with two."

Kain is actually one of two former Simpson players on the roster - former First-Team All-American defensive end Jason Ripke was a starter for the Barnstormers before suffering a season-ending knee injury early in the season.

Kain referred Ripke to head coach John Gregory, who agreed to sign Simpson's career tackles for loss leader without even seeing him play.

"It's cool to have someone that knows you so well there because everyone else I just met a year ago," Kain said.

The Simpson duo makes up two of three former Iowa Conference players on Iowa's roster - quarterback Joe Brannen played his collegiate football at Coe College.

"It's cool to have a number of small-college players on our team and in the league," Kain said. "High school kids can see that going to a Division III school doesn't necessarily mean you can't play at another level."

As players in af2 make $200 a week and an extra $50 for a win, Kain juggles his football career with coaching receivers and defensive backs at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines and working at Scheels Sporting Goods in the Jordan Creek Mall.

The same reason Kain took the field at NCAA Division III Simpson - which cannot offer athletic scholarships - is the same reason he suits up for the Barnstormers every week.

"Things are a lot more laid back in here than they were in college," Kain said. "We know that we have to show up and perform consistently or we won't be around long, but we have fun. We're not it in it for the money."

Follow the Barnstormers at TheIowaBarnstormers.com