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The group of semi-professional football teams based in Prince George's County enjoyed a new addition last season when the Metro Nemesis joined the Regional American Football League.

And this year, the Nemesis has been among the best in the league, as the team was perfect through its first six games of the season. The Nemesis – whose home games are at Bradbury Park in Suitland — finally suffered a setback Saturday in a 27-8 loss to the Prince William Monarchs.

The Nemesis didn't just pop up from nowhere. Many of the players, a majority of whom reside in the county, already had experience with local semi-pro football.

In fact, more than half of the Nemesis players once suited up with the Maryland Marauders of the North American Football League, which used to play its home games in Seat Pleasant.

Nemesis founder/owner/head coach Lamont Gore said the team formed when many players decided to separate from the Marauders.

"A lot of the guys wasn't feeling the new owner," Gore said of the situation, adding that new ownership took over the Marauders in 2006. "We had a fallout with the owners and decided to start another team. When I started my own team and we told everybody, a lot of the guys that were with the Marauders came to my team."

Gore, a resident of Landover, suited up for the Marauders but said the Nemesis formed because he "only did it for my players."

As for the players, many see it as an opportunity for something greater.

"I knew I wanted to play football beyond college," said Nemesis first-year wide receiver James Boyd, a graduate of Friendly High School and a Camp Springs resident. "I love football. I was playing arena ball for the Chesapeake Tide and I had left the team because there was a lot of uncertainty within the organization. Coach Lamont talked to me and asked if I wanted to [continue] to play semi-pro. I'm just looking for an opportunity."

A host of Boyd's teammates played alongside him for the Upper Marlboro-based Chesapeake Tide of the Continental Indoor Football League, which recently finished its second season and is making plans to relaunch with a new name and new owner. Among the former Tide players is Parkdale High graduate James Brockington, who said that aside from exposure, another benefit of playing with the Nemesis is that Gore tries to have input from all and "not run a dictatorship."

Operating the Nemesis costs around $15,000 per year, Gore said. The expenses include fees to play in the league, rent busses, pay for officials and other miscellaneous costs.

"We're hoping to find some sponsorship and the backing of businesses once the season is over," Gore said. "I will just put myself out there to some businesses. I'm still learning how to run an organization like this so I'm just finding out what I have to do."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.