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RENEGADES ALREADY IN THE WIN COLUMN

Get downtown early Friday evening if you're going to the inaugural Rome Renegades' football game. It looks like Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers have a certified hit on their hands.

A crowd of 2,500-plus is forecast, and it could be a sign of what's ahead for the franchise.

They've been making the right moves since buying the National Indoor Football League franchise from Jamie LaMunyon and Head Coach Oscar Dillard late last year.

And now it comes down to what's on the field--and in the seats at The Forum--as the Renegades play interstate rival Montgomery Maulers (which, by chance, has LaMunyon on its staff).

Even before the first hit and first pass, Pierce and Chambers have connected. Consider:

-After buying an initial interest in the team, they decided to make it 100 percent locally owned.

-They've made key and popular hires, especially with David Humphreys, the chief operations officer as well as defensive coordinator. Humphreys was the successful coach of Rome High.

-The team's storefront at 315 Broad St. (where the back door allows easy access to The Forum) is almost too small already. It is filled with Renegades' merchandise as well as a schematic of The Forum, allowing season ticket holders and sponsors to pick their seats. The gear on sale includes shirts, footballs, water bottles and more.

-The games will be broadcast on an FM station, Q102, allowing for a much-larger audience than available on an AM station. The Renegades should be able to draw both fans and radio audience from Cherokee County, Ala., to Cherokee County, Ga., and beyond. (Note: On-air coverage starts at 6:20 p.m. this Friday; the station also has a tailgate party at Prickly Pear beginning at 4 p.m. Friday)

-They've worked the crowd as well, making public appearances, hosting receptions and going on local radio sports talk shows.

-They've opened tryouts and practices to fans--for free.

-Advance ticket sales have been solid. There was a point where it looked as if season tickets might fill The Forum alone.

-Ad sales--on field, around the field, in the brochure and beyond--have been aggressive. You'll be surprised to see how many ad displays circle the field.

-They've further enforced their strongly local theme, from getting Rome area singing evangelist Kirk Ayers to perform the National Anthem this Friday to Sheriff Tim Burkhalter's "unveiling" of the department's new K-9, Champ.

-They've taken a few gambles (in addition to the overall investment and cost of the team). Among them: Not serving alcohol at home games. The team applied for, and was granted, permission to sell beer. But Pierce, citing a desire to present "family entertainment," canned the idea. Football--especially indoor football--draws a partying crowd so it will be interesting to see fan reaction to soda pop.

-They've formed A-level partnerships in the community, especially with "field sponsor" Floyd Medical Center.

And now comes the interesting part: Putting the package on the table, so to speak. Among the challenges the Renegades face:

-THE TEAM: The football team itself needs to do well to help maintain the upfront investment. The Renegades play their first game on week four of the NIFL season. The last regular season game is July 4 with the playoffs to follow. This will be the first semi-pro football experience for many members of the team, if not all of them.

-DOWNTIME: The Renegades play at The  Forum again next Friday, April 1, and then are on the road or idle until Sunday, May 8 (Mother's Day). During that break, the crosstown Rome Braves baseball team begins its third season under popular manager Rocket Wheeler. The two teams are drawing from a similar fan base, despite what you hear. And then there's the Rome Gladiators' basketball team, which also plays at The Forum (first game: Monday, April 25).

-SCHEDULING: There are a few bumps. The inaugural game is on Good Friday of Holy Week. They also play on Mother's Day. And the May 28 game comes in the middle of the Memorial  Day weekend while the last regular season away game is July 4. And then there's summer vacation.

-ROAD TRIPS: Area fans will be a little stretched to get to the away games. The closest one this year is in  Montgomery on Saturday, May 14. From there, the road is long--Daytona Beach, Fayetteville, N.C., and even Everett, Wash.

-THE FORUM: The Forum has been a regular whipping post for years. There are options for its expanded use but they could be costly. Should the Renegades indeed sell out game after game, there will be new pressure to build an arena capable of housing the team and perhaps minor league hockey (the Forum is said to be just a few feet too small for the latter).

For now, fans appear satisified--and eager. A year ago, there wasn't even talk of an indoor football team in Rome and now it has become the hottest ticket in town.

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