Five months ago, Crush teammates John Dutton and Ahmad Hawkins were officiating youth football games in the Jefferson County Midget Football Association.

Dutton and Hawkins vowed to respect officials more after experiencing what it was like to officiate games last fall, so a lot of their conversation Sunday probably will be directed at each other.

They'll be in opposing uniforms when the Crush (2-2) meets the Nashville Kats (2-2) in an Arena Football League Central Division game at the Pepsi Center.

Hawkins, an original member of the Crush along with Dutton, was released before the start of the season for salary-cap reasons. He signed with the Kats a week later.

"It's going to be weird seeing him in a different uniform," Dutton said. "He was one of my best friends on the team. We used to work against each other and with each other in practice and worked together in the weight room. Now, we'll be trash-talking."

Hawkins was caught off- guard when he was released.

"It's funny how things work out," he said. "As much as I wanted to stay in Colorado, I talked to coach (Mike) Dailey and (CEO John) Elway after I was released to try to work out a new contract but it just wasn't meant to be. So I had to move on."

Hawkins, a wide receiver/defensive back last season, had career highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (443), receiving touchdowns (10), rushes (six), rushing yards (nine) and tackles (66.5) last year.

"I can't really say there will be any trash-talking but it just might come out," Hawkins said. "If there is a cause for that to help my team win, it'll come out.

"I'm looking forward to the game, and those guys are my brothers and I enjoy being on the same field with them. It'll be different. We're in different colors, different teams, but the fact I get to play on the same field as them is just a blessing. But somebody has to lose, and I'd rather it be them than me."

Colorado lost 77-47 to the Soul last week in Philadelphia as the Crush offense continued to struggle.

Quarterback Dutton, who leads the league in passing attempts and is fifth in passing touchdowns, has thrown seven interceptions in four games this season.

"I'm not playing good," he said. "We're fighting through it. We can be a good offensive team. We've got the talent. Every week there is improvement. I'm real excited to see where we'll be in a couple weeks."

Dailey said Dutton should not shoulder all the blame for the Crush's offensive struggles.

"He's a great player," Dailey said. "He's got a new coach (quarterbacks coach Chris Boden) and three new receivers. He's only one man. He'll step up and say it's his fault. Some of the interceptions he's thrown were clearly not his fault."

ETC.: Hawkins isn't the only former Crush player on the Nashville roster. Defensive lineman Hugh Hunter played three seasons with the Crush and is fourth on the franchise's all- time sack list. He signed a free- agent contract with the Kats. . . . Crush kicker Jason Ball played in three games with Nashville last season. . . . The Kats have won two consecutive games after coach Pat Sperduto put quarterback Clint Stoerner on recallable waivers and replaced him with rookie Jeff Smoker. . . . Crush receiver Damian Harrell has scored a touchdown in an AFL-record 69 consecutive regular-season games.