Racine Raiders Begin Defense of National Championship Saturday

The Racine Raiders open their 2013 season, their 61st year, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, against the South Dakota Stallions at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

The Raiders won the 2012 Semi-Pro BCS National Championship in 2012. It was the eighth national championship in team history and the first since 2001. The Raiders beat the Nashville Storm, 38-24, on November 10, 2012, in front of nearly 4,000 fans.

The Raiders return much of the 2013 national championship team, including quarterback Craig McClelland, running back J.R. Taylor and receivers Dorian Palmer and Sam D'Alie and tight end Traves Worthington. Joining the receiving corps is Dom Kegel. Kegel, a standout quarterback in European pro leagues, will shift to the outside and become a target for McClelland. The offensive line remains intact with a couple of additions that will supply depth.

Most of the defense also returns from 2012. The key loss is cornerback David Earl who moved out-of-state in the offseason. However, Nate Heard, a cornerback that excelled at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Milwaukee, joins the squad. The team also added depth at defensive line and linebacker.

The Stallions, a third year team and members of the Midwest Football Alliance (MFA), are 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the MFA on the season. They trail the Des Moines Blaze, the only team that handed the Raiders a loss last season, by one game.

The Stallions are led by quarterback Derrick Singleton. Singleton has tossed eight touchdowns and thrown just two interceptions this season.

Sioux Falls has two running backs that are averaging over six yards per carry in Ricky Gutierrez and Darieon Smith. Gutierrez is also tied for the team lead in receptions and is averaging over 22 yards per catch out of the backfield.

On the receiving end, Antonio Berry is the top outside target while Khalid Waters is the the deep threat, averaging over 35 yards per catch with three touchdowns.

On defense, Jordan Bouw is among the team leaders with 21 tackles and leads the team with 4-1/2 sacks. James Augustus has a nose for the ball in the secondary, already hauling in five interceptions in just six games.

The Raiders will have a special trophy and flag ceremony with a speech from City of Racine Mayor John Dickert. The Generation Alive Dance Team and the Racine Raiders Dance and Stunt Team will perform at halftime. Miss Racine, Elise Elmblad, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will sing the National Anthem.

The gates at Historic Horlick Athletic Field open at 5:30 p.m. and a band will perform in the beer garden near the concession stand prior to the game.

Tickets are available at nine local outlets or the Historic Horlick Athletic Field box office. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for school age children. Military veterans receive free admission when in uniform or by showing proper identification.