Football | 12/30/2008 5:25:16 PM

Former WOU record-setting quarterback Mark Thorson has signed a contract to play professional football with the Boise Burn of the Arena Football League 2.

The AFL2 is the minor league of the Arena Football League (which is taking a year off from play), and plays it games from April through July. Thorson will compete for the starting job with former AFL player Tim Hicks, who last played with the Los Angeles Avengers.

"I am excited to continue to play football, and I really liked the organization in Boise," Thorson told the Sandy Post. "I met with a couple of teams in the AFL2, but I loved the atmosphere in Boise and it is a great sports town."

Thorson capped a standout Western Oregon career in 2007, leading the team to a 9-2 record and a win in the Rotary Bowl. The Sandy, Ore. native set school records for most pass attempts (987), pass completions (568), touchdown passes (60) and overall touchdowns accounted for (63).

The 6'6" Thorson's Burn team opens the 2009 season on March 27 at Tri-Cities before hosting Spokane on April 18 at Qwest Arena in Boise.