Staff report
The Rowan Rampage semi-pro football team officially opens its fourth Central Carolina Football League season at Knox Middle School on Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Triangle Rattlers.
Larry Bryant, Scott Roby and Claude Tschiona are back as owners and coaches of the Rampage.
The Rampage got on a roll and claimed the CCFL championship in 2008 with an 11-2 record, winning eight of 10 regular-season games before taking charge in the playoffs.
Key players are back, including quarterback/kicker D’Andre Hopper, safety/running back Corby Jones, receiver/returner Justin Davis, middle linebacker Nichael Hill, outside linebacker William Himes and defensive tackle Garet Knight.
Hakim Pearce, who recently finished a stint with the Carolina Speed indoor team, goes both ways at defensive end and tight end. Travis Gist sees action at both receiver and cornerback. Ex-Salisbury High player Willie Hosch is a key ballcarrier. Newcomers include former North Rowan flash Mark Sturgis.
“We’ve got a lot of good athletes, and they came together as a unit last season,” Bryant said. ”
The Rampage outscored the Triad Hotshots and Burke Storm by a combined 101-6 in a pair of preseason games, but Saturday’s game is expected to be a much stiffer test for the defending champs. Rowan has faced the Rattlers four times in recent seasons. Every game was tight.
Bryant expects the Concord-based Carolina Eagles and Greenville Seminoles, both perennial powers, to provide the biggest obstacles in achieving another league title. He rates the Carolina Bulldogs of Indian Land, S.C., as a team on the rise.
“The Bulldogs could be this year’s Rampage,” Bryant said.
The Rampage battered the Eagles for the league championship last season and was nationally ranked but didn’t have the financing in place to participate in a January semi-pro bowl game that was available for the team.
One of Bryant’s goals this season is to be in better position financially if the Rampage qualifies for another postseason invitation.
The Rampage will again operate on a non-profit basis as part of the Rowan Outreach Center.
Much of the money raised goes to charitable causes. Admission for home games is $6 for ages 13-up and $3 for ages 7-12. Children 6-under are admitted free.
Anyone donating a case of bottled water will be admitted free to the opener.
The Rampage will also be at home the next two weeks.