Raiders open 56th season against Rochester

The Racine Raiders kick off their 56th season on Saturday, June 28, at Historic Horlick Field. The team will attempt to repeat as division champions in the 124-team North American Football League (NAFL).

The Raiders enter into a new era this year as John Mamerow becomes the 17th head coach in team history. He replaces Jordan Kopac who resigned to eventually become head coach of division rivals, the Wisconsin Wolfpack.

The Raiders open the season against the Rochester (Minn.) Giants. The Giants are members of the Great Plains Football League (GPFL). Rochester has won the GPFL the past five seasons, amassing a 59-4 league record in that time.

The Giants come into the game Saturday night with a 2-2 record. Last week, the Giants gave one of the top minor league teams in the country a run for their money. Rochester had the Twin Cities (Minn.) Lumberjacks against the ropes, leading 26-19 with just seconds left in the game. The Lumberjacks were able to find the end zone with just two seconds left and then converted a two-point conversion for the win.

The Giants defeated the Minnesota Maulers, 40-34, on June 14 and the Fargo Moorhead Liberty, 15-13, on May 17. Their second loss came against La Crosse/Winona Rough Riders by a score of 15-13 on June 7.

While the Giants will come in a well-oiled machine, the Raiders players will be looking forward to hitting someone other than a teammate Saturday. There will be new starters in a couple of key positions, including quarterback.

Shawn Kain (6' 2", 185) takes over the helms at quarterback after Dan Novotny announced his retirement in the offseason. Kain is a proven winner, having led his high school team, Maine South in Park Ridge, Ill., to the Illinois Class 6A Championship as a senior in 2000. He then went on to play football at Carthage College and Lakeland College.

The Raiders haven't lost the first game of a season since 1986 when the Kenosha Redskins beat them 27-17 at Historic Horlick Field. In the past 25 years, the Raiders are 24-1 to start the season.

Minnesota teams also have a difficult time against the Raiders in Racine. The Raiders are 7-0 at Historic Horlick Field against teams from Minnesota. This will be the first meeting between the Rochester Giants and Raiders.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the game will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for children. The new Raiders Dance Team will offer face-painting and games for kids prior to kickoff.

There is plenty of free parking in lots near Historic Horlick Field as well as on city streets surrounding the stadium. Tailgating is allowed in the parking lots.

The Raiders offer full concessions, including brats, burgers, pizza, soda, beer, and more. Concessions are reasonably priced.The team also has an apparel store inside the Historic Horlick Field.

Broadcasts of Racine Raiders games can be heard locally on WRJN 1400 AM as well as online via the Raiders' website. There will be a special one-hour season kickoff show beginning at 6 p.m. this week.