The menus at Montana Mike’s Steakhouse and Gianni’s Dining Retreat almost entice Mike Garrity to stick around Des Moines, Iowa, for longer than he hopes to.

When last he visited the Hawkeye State, Garrity was on a football recruiting visit to Iowa City from Batavia. He remembers remarking about the perceived lack of activity and being in no hurry to return.

Five years later, Garrity is starting at right guard for the Arena Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers. He has recovered from a spate of recent injuries and aims to secure another shot at an NFL tryout, beginning with tonight’s season opener against the Rush at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.