Semi-pro teams get season started

Waldorf Warriors owner Walter Bowling asks fans to ignore the first half of his team’s name. The squad is based in southern Prince George’s County at Accokeek Park East, but adding the name of the nearby Charles County town was the catchiest word they could tag onto the name of one of the newest Regional American Football League teams.

With only so many slots for scholarships on college teams, and even fewer on professional teams, Bowling said he hopes he can prevent similar tragedies from befalling other former athletes who might slip through the cracks. The mission is similar to that of the other area semi-pro organizations based in the county, which started their seasons last week.

‘‘When they get cut, where are they?” he said. ‘‘They’re on the streets.”

But the support structure and camaraderie provided by a football team can be a starting point for former athletes to get their lives on track, Bowling said that doesn’t necessarily mean professional football, but simply a professional job, he said. By providing a positive outlet in the Warriors, he hopes the athletes whom he calls the ‘‘forgottens” find life success.

‘‘Wherever the next level is, that’s where we want to take them,” Bowling said.

A handful of Warriors are county products, among them kick returner Charles Cooper, a Gazette-Star All-County triple jumper for state Class 4A champion Suitland High School in 2001, and quarterback Robert Murphy, formerly of Crossland.

Other local players include Ryan Davis, Greg Flowers, Michael Stewart and Derek Yates, all of Gwynn Park, Bryon Jordon and Chris Mason of Friendly, Brian Gabourel of Largo and Emanuel Young of Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Warriors have 5 p.m. home kickoffs July 26 vs. Baltimore Broncos, Aug. 2 against the Prince William Monarchs, Aug. 23 against the Virginia Cowboys, and Sept. 27 against the Metro Nemesis. Tickets are $10, with free admission for children under 12 if they wear their youth team jersey.

D.C. Explosion

The D.C. Explosion, in their seventh year, have produced several success stories. Among the players who spent time with the two-time defending North American Football League Division 1 champions include former Northwestern defensive back Greg Toler, now at St. Paul’s (Va.).

The organization has been a success story, too, winning back-to-back USA Bowls. The team’s returning group includes a few former county standouts in long snapper Raymond Brewer (Friendly), running back⁄quarterback⁄linebacker Ed Garnes (Forestville), defensive tackle John Maye (Oxon Hill) and safety Nicholas Tolson (Central).

The Explosion play their home games at Coolidge High in Northwest D.C. They have home dates scheduled for 3 p.m. kickoffs Saturday against the Central Virginia Vipers, Aug. 9 against the Virginia Kings, and Sept. 13 against the Maryland Marauders. Tickets are $10, $5 for students with ID and free for children and 12 and under.

Maryland Marauders

The Marauders also have a success story in linebacker Mike Balogun, who played briefly at Suitland and spent two years with the NAFL Division 1 team before going on to junior college. He will make his debut with the University of Oklahoma this fall.

Coach and owner Dennis Felton said he hopes his team can benefit other young athletes thanks to two grants worth $26,000. Most of that amount came from a FedEx Field impact grant through the Central Prince George’s County Community Development Corporation.

Felton said the he hopes to play home games at the Sports and Learning Complex. Home games are scheduled for July 26 against the Bay Atlantic Sharks, Aug. 2 against the D.C. Explosion, Aug. 16 against the Virginia Destroyers, Aug. 23 against the Virginia Kings, and Sept. 20 against the Virginia Cardinals. Tickets are $5 and $3 for students.

Metro Nemesis

The Metro Nemesis, with a roster largely intact since last year’s 7-4 campaign in the RAFL, is composed mainly of younger players, some of whom have professional experience.

Defensive backs James Brockington (Parkdale) and Dale Williams (Northwestern), as well as wide receiver James Boyd (Friendly), were on the Chesapeake Tide, the Upper Marlboro Continental Indoor Football League team, at the start of this season. Williams was a Gazette-Star All-County First-Team selection in 2003, when he led the Wildcats to the Class 4A playoffs.

Running back Daniel Singleton, a teammate of Williams’ at Northwestern, and former Bladensburg wide receiver Anthony Levers also are on the squad.

The team is based in Capitol Heights but will be play at DuVal and Parkdale high schools. Home games are scheduled for 5 p.m. starts July 26 against the Philadelphia Braves, Aug. 9 against the Waldorf Warriors, Aug. 23 against the Prince William Monarchs, and Sept. 20 against the Baltimore Broncos. Tickets are $5, $3 tickets for students with ID and free for children 8 and under.

E-mail Kevin Hilgers at khilgers@gazette.net.