Useful Links:	The Football Page Updates on the Renegades links /Health /Business / Politics / Braves / Home (7/30) FEVER HANGS ON, BEATS RENEGADES: The Rome Renegades went from zero to nearly national champions in 18 games, coming up 17 points short in the NIFL Indoor Bowl. The final score: Fever 47, Rome, 31. (7/23) RENEGADES VS. FEVER FOR NIFL TITLE Down 31-13 at one point, the Rome Renegades stormed back to defeat the Cincinnati Marshals--in Cincy--by a 51-41 score. The Renegades now face the Tri-Cities Fever (Washington state) for the league championship (10:05 p.m. EDT, Three  Rivers Coliseum, Kennewick, Wash.; coverage on Q102). Rome went 7-7 in the regular season and has won three consecutive playoff games. The Renegades moved to Rome late last year after winning just one game last season as the Oklahoma Crude. Almost immediately, the team went through an ownership change with Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers buying control of the franchise.    The week before the season began, David Humphreys took over as head coach after Oscar Dillard left. Almost four months later, Rome is a game away from the league championship. With a win next week, the Renegades would complete a minor league trifecta: the Rome Braves won the SAL championship in the team's first year here, 2003; earlier this month, the second-year Rome Gladiators of the World Basketball League won the league championship. >RENEGADES   >NIFL (7/18) RENEGADES' PLAYOFF GAME MOVED TO CINCY: The Atlantic Conference Championship game has been changed from Rome to Cincinnati. Because of financial limitations, the Marshals originally declined the option to host the championship game despite having the higher seed, the Renegades said. But on Monday, investors provided the funds for the ownership, making it possible for Cincinnati to host the game. "We are disappointed for Rome that these circumstances have unfolded the way they have," said David Humphreys, chief operations officer and head coach, "but we will be ready to make the trip and play hard in Cincinnati." Opinion: Consider the switch a win for Rome. What does it say about a franchise in what's considered a major league sports city (Bengals, Reds) that has to pass the hat to make the venue available for a critical playoff game? Rome, the Renegades and The Forum certainly were up to the task. You can hear the game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Q102. (7/17) RENEGADES A WIN AWAY FROM 'INDOOR BOWL' SHOWDOWN: The Rome Renegades beat division rival Montgomery 47-31 late Saturday and will play Cincinnati on Saturday. The winner goes to the NIFL's Indoor Bowl the following week. The Rome/Cincy winner will be crowned Atlantic Division Champ and then will play the victor of the Tri-Cities/Odessa showdown on Saturday night. (7/10) RENEGADES CLOBBER 'BOLTS, 53-7; MAULERS UP NEXT: It almost seems fitting: the very first team the Rome Renegades defeated, the interstate rival Montgomery Maulers, is the next opponent in the NIFL playoffs. Rome clobbered the Lakeland Thunderbolts 53-7 Sunday evening, thanks in part to an inspired defense. >Sunday's game report: The Renegades' defense held Lakeland to seven points--the Bolts' scored first and that was it. Eugene Phillips had two sacks and Jason Colts had five solo tackles and three assists.  With an interception each, Monteous Blockson and Joe Killins were all over Lakeland. Quarterback Bo Bartick went 14 for 27 with two touchdowns, one to Travis Booker and one to Nick Hunter. J.R. Revere was two for three and rushed for two touchdowns. For more on the Renegades, click ROME. For more on the NIFL playoffs, click NIFL (6/25) PLAYOFFS NEXT FOR RENEGADES: Saturday night's Rome Renegades/Daytona Beach Hawgs game was what indoor football is all about. Scoring. Lots of it. And quickly. And just about every way possible from impossible passes to game-breaking interceptions. With tonight's win, Rome is a lock for the NIFL playoffs and will host a team to be decided at The Forum on July 10.  Final score: Rome 74, Hawgs 18. It was the most points scored by the Renegades in all 14 regular season games. >RENEGADES (6/2) ROSTER UPDATE: Quarterback Dixie Wooten from Houston has been released. (6/1) ROSTER UPDATE: Quarterback J.R. Revere has joined the Renegades. He's a graduate of Georgia Southern University where his team won two National Championships with the Division I-AA Eagles.> WEB RENEGADES MAKE ROSTER MOVES: Rey Murphy, who has started in all nine Renegades games at defensive back, sustained a knee injury last week against Lakeland and has been placed on injured reserve.  The Renegades have also acquired and placed on the retained roster running back Perry Tisdale and lineman Reggie Perkins. A Rome native, Perkins was a three time All-American at Carson-Newman.  Before playing at Carson-Newman, he played at Rome High School.Tisdale, a Hattiesburg, Miss., native, played at Miles College in Birmingham, Ala.  RENEGADES HOPING FOR STUDENT TICKET BLITZ: The Rome Renegades are offering $10, $15 and $20 tickets as well as $5 children's tickets (if accompanied by an adult) for this week's game with Miami. The first 100 children to attend Saturday's game will receive a free Renegades hat and an inaugural season program. College students also can show their school ID and receive a free Renegades koozie and a program. Next home game: Saturday, May 28, 7 p.m., at The Forum vs. the Miami Morays.  DEFENSIVE BACK JOINS RENEGADES: The Rome Renegades have added defensive back Patrick Avrillen to the 25-man roster in time for Saturday's game with the Maulers in Montgomery. He attended Union College in Barbourville, KY., and is from Miami. The Renegades-Maulers game is at 8:30 p.m. EST Saturday on Q102 ONE (OR SEVEN) FOR THE RECORD BOOKS: Rome Renegades kicker Brian Tracy set a National Indoor Football League record with seven successful field goals on May 8  against the Fayetteville Guard.   That's the most for any indoor football league and ties the NFL record, too. He kicked six field goals in the first half, the longest being 48 yards, and won the game in overtime with his record-breaking seventh three-pointer. Next game: 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Montgomery; on Q102. LINDAMOOD BACK: Linebacker Brad Lindamood returns to the Renegades line-up after a back injury left him on the sidelines for the past three games. His return comes as Sunday's match-up against Fayetteville could decide the Central Atlantic Conference title. The Renegades are undefeated in the conference, and a second win over Fayetteville would earn the Renegades the division title. ROAD SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR RENEGADES: The Rome Renegades' regular season will end a week earlier than planned--at home--and say goodbye to the bye week. That's the latest plan from the National Indoor Football League as the Dayton, Ohio, Warbirds join the league. In fact, Rome plays Dayton on May 20. No home games have been changed but, as of Friday, the dates some teams play at The Forum have changed. The revised schedule follows; homes games with new opponents are in red: Sunday: At Everett Hawks Saturday, April 16: 7:05 p.m.  at Fayetteville Guard Sunday, April 24: at Daytona Beach Hawgs Friday, April 29: 7:05 p.m. at Billings Mavericks Sunday, May 8:  Home, 2 p.m., vs. Fayetteville Guard Saturday, May 14: 7:30 p.m., at Montgomery Maulers Friday, May 20: Home, 7 p.m., vs. Lakeland Thunderbolts Saturday, May 28: Home, 7 p.m., vs. Miami Morays Saturday, June 4: 7:30 p.m.  at  Cincinnati Marshals Saturday, June 11: Home, 7 p.m., vs. Dayton Warbids Saturday, June 18: 7 p.m.  at Odessa Roughnecks Saturday, June 25: Home, 7 p.m., vs. Daytona Beach Hawgs Regular season ends TEAM REPORT: SW LOUISIANA 42, ROME, 30 (TEAM PRESS RELEASE): With a final score of 42-30, the Renegades took a hard loss against Southwest Louisiana. "You can't turn the ball over and expect to win. Southwest Louisiana took advantage of several of our miscues, and that is what you are supposed to do," said Head Coach David Humphreys. The Renegades threw two interceptions which the Swashbucklers used for a total gain of 35 yards.   On defense, Eugene Phillips had six tackles and one assist while Joe Killins had a total of nine tackles, five solos and four assists. With a total of 104 yards receiving, Clinton Rafe was among the Renegades' top offensive players. Friday night's crowd: 2,100 fans. The next three games are on the road; you can hear the games on Q102. Next home game: May 8. INJURY REPORT The Rome Renegades announce two changes to the 25-man roster. Because of torn quadriceps, kicker Marc Feuerbach has been moved to the injured reserve list. Adam Lombard has been activated to fill the position. Feuerbach is an assistant football coach at Gordon Central High as well as girls' soccer coach. The Renegades, who won the opening game 33-21 vs. the Montgomery Maulers, host the Southwest Louisiana Swashbucklers at The Forum beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. HUMPHREYS NOW HEAD COACH, TOO David Humphreys has been named head coach of the Rome Renegades indoor football team just days before the franchise's first game Friday vs. the Montgomery Maulers at The Forum. He replaces Oscar Dillard, who was named head coach when the team moved to Rome from Enid, Okla., last year. Dillard had been a co-owner of the club but was bought out earlier this year by new owners Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers. Humphreys, the former Rome High head coach, had been serving as the Renegades' chief operations officer as well as defensive coordinator. He retains the COO title but now will direct the offense. Scott Chandler becomes the defensive coordinator. Pierce said the club and Dillard "agreed to go our separate ways." The team, he says, is "fired up and ready to play football." Rome opens with the Maulers at 7 p.m. Friday at The Forum. PEP RALLY SET FOR THURSDAY: The Renegades are sponsoring a preseason pep rally at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Forum. The event is open to all and is designed to be a sneak preview of the Renegades' arena layout, player talent and entertainment.  Renegades merchandise will be on sale as will game tickets. The first game is at 7 p.m. Friday. RENEGADES ALREADY IN THE 'W' COLUMN: The Rome Renegades play their first game Friday but already, the team is in the win column.>> TD COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: RENEGADES ON THE RUN: The Rome Renegades, less than two weeks from their season opener at The Forum, are on the move. The latest updates:  Local singing evangelist Kirk Ayers will perform the National Anthem for the Renegades' season opener on Friday, March 25. Ayers is a Rome native with more than 20 years of singing experience. Founder of Kirk Ayers Ministry and Kirk Ayers Productions, he has performed in four Georgia state youth conferences and the Southern Baptist Conference at the Super Dome of New Orleans. He's recorded six CDs which are on sale at Heaven's Attic in Rome.  Renegades' owners Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers as well as coach Oscar Dillard and chief operations officer/defensive coach David Humphreys will speak to the Greater Rome Board of Realtors on Wednesday (noon, The Forum). Details: 295-1727.  Both season and single-game tickets remain on sale at The Forum box office.  You can keep up with indoor football on "Under the Roof" Web cast each Thursday at 8 p.m. Click HERE for an archive of the March 10 Web cast. RENEGADES' GAMES WILL BE 'DRY': The Rome Renegades will not serve alcohol at home games this season. Citing a desire to present "family entertainment," team officials have chosen to omit the selling of alcohol. "We are sorry if this decision makes any ticket holder upset. Refunds are available, if one so choose, but we strongly believe the action-packed, wall-to-wall play provided by our team is all the entertainment any fan will need," said co-owner Harry Pierce. As for pre- and post-game events, the Renegades have designated The Prickly Pear as an official tailgating headquarters. ROSTER CUT TO 25 PLAYERS: With three weeks to go until the first game, the Rome Renegades have reduced the team roster to 25 players. Another three cuts must be made. Here's the roster as of Friday, March 4: 17 Bartick, Bo QB West Georgia 70 Beadles, Resty OL/DL UGA Atlanta 1 Blockson, Monteous WR Morris Brown Atlanta 3 Bookie, Nunnie FB Ottawa University Dallas 8 Booker, Travis RB San Jose Junior College Atlanta 75 Cooks, Shatee OL U of Pennsylvania Philadelphia 33 Feuerbach, Marc K Calhoun 21 Fowler, Chris DB Valdosta State Hinesville 7 Harris, Detronn WR/KR West Georgia Atlanta 16 Hunter, Nick WR/LB Clark Atlanta Atlanta 78 Jiles, Reginald OL/DL Birmingham 56 Killins, Joe DE/LB Miles College Birmingham 41 LeMoine, Rashid DB Morris Brown Savannah 80 Lewis, James WR/DB Tuskegee Atlanta 5 Lindamood, Brad LB Lenoir Ryan Newnan 31 Maxey, Derrick DB Middle Georgia Atlanta 2 Murphy, Rey DB/RB Virginia Union Miami 99 Parker, Arthur DE Miles College Atlanta 91 Phillips, Eugene DE Georgia Southern Columbus 15 Rafe, Clenton WR/DB Albany State Atlanta 55 Simmons, Chancey LB West Georgia Atlanta 52 Stanley, Courtney DE none Cartersville 4 Thomas, Lou DB/RB Vanderbilt Atlanta 20 Turner Jr., Vernon DB SE Louisiana University Houston 14 Wooten Jr., Dixie QB Texas El Paso Houston NEXT PRACTICE: 10 a.m. Saturday at the Levy or at the Boys & Girls Club. Fans are welcome. RENEGADES' SINGLE GAME TICKET SALES UNDER WAY: Single-game tickets for Rome's new indoor football team go on sale Tuesday, March 1. Tickets to each of the Renegades' seven home games cost $21 per person. That's $147 for all seven home games vs. a season ticket for $112. Ticket sales are being handled at The Forum, the Renegades' home field, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: (706) 291-5281.>> SCHEDULE FIRST SEVEN PLAYERS CUT: The Rome Renegades have released seven players who attended last weekend's mini-camp. The team plans to cut the 45-man roster to 30 players by Tuesday. Those cut are: Terrance Barlow (defensive back), Corey Barnes (defensive back/wide receiver), Peter Maynard, Wesley Smith (defensive back), Joseph Steadman (wide receiver), Eric Vance (defensive back/wide receiver) and Steven Williams (quarterback). MARCH 1 UPDATE: The Renegades also have released wide receiver Brian Haugabrooks of Wildwood, Fla. PREVIOUS STORIES ROSTER DUE MARCH 1: Citing the "success of a great mini-camp" last week, the Rome Renegades want another week to establish its 30-man pre-season roster. The staff wants more time to analyze the 45 prospects. "We were extremely impressed with the degree of playing experience in a lot of positions which is making the decision very difficult to make," said David Humphreys , defensive coordinator and chief operations officer. "The level of talent was greater than anything we had imagined." The roster should be completed by next Tuesday. MINI-CAMP SET FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY: (2/18-19) The Rome Renegades' minicamp to fill 30 slots on the team is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and beginning again at 10 a.m. Saturday behind the levee. Both are open to the public. Forty-five players have been invited; the final cut is set for Feb. 22. The tentative roster includes both local and regional names familiar to area fans: PLAYER'S NAME POS. HT. WT. COLLEGE HOMETOWN Barlow, Terrance DB 5'8" 180 U of Louisville Atlanta Barnes, Corey DB/WR 5'8" 175 none Trion Beadles, Resty OL/DL 6'5" 300 UGA Atlanta Blockson, Monteous WR 5'10" 180 Morris Brown Atlanta Bond, Jon QB 6'6" 230 U of Maine Boston Bookie, Nunnie FB 6'2" 230 Ottawa U Dallas, TX Booker, Travis RB 5'8" 185 San Jose JC Atlanta Brock, Ricky OL/DL 6'3" 300 none Rome Cole, Greg LB 6'3" 240 Kansas U Miami Cooks, Shatee OL 6'8" 365 U of Penn Philadelphia Culbert, Chris DB 5'9" 180 Albany State Jackson, MS Day Garrnett OL/DL 6'3" 265 none Baltimore Dorsey, Ali FB/LB 6'0" 240 Morris Brown Atlanta Dulaney, Quentin WR/DB 5'8" 175 none Cedartown Fletcher, Mario LB/QB 6'0" 225 Tuskegee Atlanta Gilbert, Kevin RB 5'8" 200 N. Texas State Okla. City Harris, Detronn WR/KR 6'2" 205 W. Ga. Atlanta Haugabrooks, Brian WR 6'3" 215 Florida Wildwood, FL Hicks, Robert OL 6'8" 340 Miss.State Atlanta Hunter, Nick WR/LB 6'6" 230 Clark Atlanta Atlanta Jiles, Reginald OL/DL 6'6" 340 Miles College Birmingham Jude, Deshawn DE/LB 6'2" 285 Ga. Southern Atlanta Killins, Joe DE/LB 6'3" 260 Miles College Birmingham Lawrence, Ryan DL/OL 6'3" 270 W. Carolina Atlanta LeMoine, Rashid DB 6'2" 195 Morris Brown Savannah Lewis, James WR/DB 5'8" 180 Tuskegee Atlanta Lombard, Adam K 5'10" 225 none Rome Luntadillia, Lucien DB/K 5'9" 180 Morris Brown Atlanta Maxsey, Derek DB 5'10" 190 Middle Georgia Atlanta Murphy, Rey DB/RB 5'9" 180 Virginia Union Miami Parker, Arthur DE 6'5" 260 Miles College Atlanta Phillips, Eugene DE 6'3" 260 Georgia Southern Columbus Rafe, Clenton WR/DB 5'9" 175 Albany State Atlanta Simmons, Chancey LB 6'0" 238 W. Georgia Atlanta Smith, Wesley DB 5'10" 183 W. Georgia Marietta Stanley, Courtney DE 6'3" 265 none Cartersville Steadman, Joseph WR 5'11" 185 W. Georgia College Park Thomas, Lou DB/RB 6'0" 212 Vanderbilt Atlanta Thurman, Chris DL/OL 6'2" 285 E. Kentucky Rome Turner Jr., Vernon DB 6'3" 200 SE La. U Houston Vance, Eric WR/DB 6'3" 185 Independence Riverdale Ware, Roderick QB 6'2" 220 Tuskegee Rome William, Steven QB 6'2" 205 Ga. State Stockbridge Wooten Jr., Dixie QB 6'4" 228 Texas El Paso Houston Wright, Deonte WR 6'2" 190 San Jose JC Atlanta MEET BRIAN HAUGABROOK: "Today, in what may be his final attempt to earn a living at the game he loves, Haugabrook will open camp with the Rome (Ga.) Renegades of the National Indoor Football League, hoping to avoid serious injury for the first time in his career." So writes The Villages Daily Sun on the would-be Renegades' wide receiver. Click PLAYER for more. RENEGADES TO PLAY ON 'FLOYD' FIELD (2/12/05) The "rug" that will cover part of The Forum when the Rome Renegades play this year has a name: Floyd Field--as in Floyd Medical Center. The Floyd logo will be featured at center field for each of the indoor football team's seven home games. The premium-priced sponsorship was unveiled at the "Meet the Coaches" event Thursday at Coosa Country Club. Floyd Healthcare System also has been named the health care provider for the team, including players, cheerleaders, coaches and staff. Floyd Rehabilitation Services' Sports Medicine will supply the team's athletic trainers. "Floyd is proud to support the (National Indoor Football League) and is excited the franchise has established a team in Rome," said Floyd president and CEO Kurt Stuenkel. About 200 Renegades' supporters attended Thursday's gathering. Team co-owner Harry Pierce was thankful for what he called "tremendous support from local businesses and community organizations... The Rome community has embraced the inception of this team, and for that we are sincerely grateful." Ticket sales continue as do corporate sponsorships. About 25 percent of the area's seating is sold with the first game, March 25 vs. the Montgomery Maulers, still six week away. Call The Forum for season tickets: 291-5281. The team Web site is www.romerenegades.com. HUMPHREYS JUST PART OF RENEGADES' HEADLINES Mini-camp set Feb. 14; Broad Street office opens this week David Humphreys has resigned as head coach of the Rome High School Wolves effective today to become the chief operations officer of the Rome Renegades . Humphreys, who had a 42-8 (.840 winning percentage) at RHS, also will serve as defensive coordinator of the National Indoor Football League team. Humphreys had been serving as a part-time coach with the new team in addition to his duties at RHS. "David will be responsible for the daily operations of the Renegades team," said Harry Pierce, co-owner of the Rome Renegades. Said Humphreys: "I am excited about the Rome Renegades and the opportunity that it will offer for both the expansion of my abilities at a professional level as well as the benefits it will bring to the city." Humphreys, who spent 11 years at RHS, said Wednesday was a bittersweet day. The Wolves, he said, are on an upswing and "have a huge opportunity to win a lot of games next year." But, he adds, the Renegades' offer "is an opportunity of a lifetime." His job will be an interesting one. Off the field, he'll be the boss of Head Coach/General Manager Oscar Dillard. On the field, Humphreys will serve as Dillard's defensive coordinator. The two-way job is an interesting one, Humphreys says, but he'll be able to assist Dillard with the many duties of a head coach faces. Humphreys has been head coach at Rome since the 2001 season. He went 11-2 in his first two seasons and 8-3 in 2003. Rome lost in the state quarterfinals to Warner Robins last November. Says Dillard: "We are bringing together a great team here in Rome, a team united in its goal to win the NIFL championship. I am confident in David's role as both defensive coordinator and chief operations officer. His contributions both on and off the field will only make us stronger." Dillard and Humphreys together have more than 25 years of coaching experience. "I have not missed a football season since 1971," Humphreys said, "and I am excited about beginning this one with a new type of football." "I strongly believe this community will embrace the Rome Renegades. Fans can see the desire to win and the strive to make it happen, and I intend to carry that motivation for success in everything I do." RENEGADES READY TO RUMBLE The franchise has not had a "calm day" since Pierce and Rick Chambers bought the team late last year. One of their first moves was to bring Humphreys on as a part-time coach in addition to his coaching and teaching duties at RHS. More recent moves include:  The Renegades are preparing for mini-camp beginning Monday, Feb. 14. The four-day camp will provide 45 men the opportunity to compete for the 30 team spots.  The Rome Renegade fan shop and souvenir store is opening this week at 315 Broad St.  Q102 in Rome has signed on as the flagship station to broadcast home and away Renegades' games. It will be interesting to see how Q102 juggles the Renegades and broadcasts of the Atlanta Braves (expect a shift to WRGA 1470 AM on nights where the two teams conflict).  An A-list, locally staffed sales team is in the community today with various advertising packages that start with naming the team's indoor field.  A new team Web site is up at www.romerenegades.com and continues to evolve.  The Renegades are partnering with Rome-based Hot Shots , both as a sponsor and to coordinate the recruitment, auditions and training of team cheerleaders.   Keep watching to see if the Pierce/Chambers team buy or develop other National Indoor Football League teams. The NIFL is the fastest-growing league in the sports industry with 22 teams since its inception in 2001, according to a Renegades' release. Also, the National  Football League continues to develop an interest in the NIFL.  Season tickets are on sale at The Forum with single-game sales beginning in March. The Renegades open the season at home vs. the Montgomery Maulers on March 25. NFL HAS ITS EYES ON INDOOR LEAGUE The National Indoor Football League's winter meetings didn't escape the attention of the NFL, even with key playoff games in Atlanta and three other markets over the weekend. NIFL executives, including Rome Renegades' owners Harry Pierce and Rick Chambers, were in Orlando for several days last week preparing for the upcoming season. Also attending were Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and Ron Baines, NFL Director of Officials. Jones, whose Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1993-94 and also in '96, talked about his early days as the team owner and the work and dedication required for success on and off the field. Jones also told of the NFL's search for a way to introduce football into the Olympics, and how indoor football may be a solution. Baines told of the NFL's budding partnership with the NIFL and the plan to raise the level of officiating in the indoor league. Also discussed was the upgrading of NIFL game films to include two views, which would allow the NFL to review and grade every game on a play-by-play basis. Overall meeting topics included rule clarifications; communication and cooperation among teams and the league; the branding of NIFL and team merchandise; national advertising; video web casting; travel; game promotion; and the Sports for Education program. The Renegades open their first season in Rome on March 25 at The Forum vs. the Montgomery Maulers. Season tickets are on sale through The Forum for seven home games ($112 per person). Individual tickets, $21, go on sale in March. For more, call 291-5281. Team Web site
	The Buzz | Columns | Small Business About Us | Contact Us Home Hometown Headlines - (706) 346-2031 - druck@hometownheadlines.com