"Raiders attempt to win ninth national championship Saturday
night"
"November 3 (RACINE, WIS.) - The Racine Raiders (13-1) will host the Albany
(NY) Metro Mallers (12-1) Saturday night, November 9, 2013, at 7 p.m. at
Historic Horlick Athletic Field in Racine, Wis. The national title game is
co-sanctioned by the United States Football Association (USFA) and the United
States Football Federation (USFF). The USFA is one of the most established
sanctioning organizations in minor league football.
"The Raiders will be attempting to win their second straight national title and the ninth in team history. It will be the last game with head coach Gino Perfetto at the helm as Perfetto already announced he will not return in 2014.
"The Metro Mallers have a strong history dating back to 1972. Albany won a national championship in 2008 and have won nine league championships including winning the SPF - The League league title this season, their first in the league after moving from the Empire Football League.
"The two teams have played once before. In 1991, the Racine Raiders played an independent schedule and Albany traveled to Racine. The Raiders won, 27-13.
"The game will be carried live on WRJN 1400 AM and streaming at http://www.wrjn.com beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. with Don Wadewitz and Tom Christensen. Belle TV will also record the game with the audio from the radio broadcast for rebroadcast at a later date.
"ABOUT THE 2013 RACINE RAIDERS
"The Raiders feature a balanced offense and one of the best defenses in the country. Second-year quarterback Craig McClelland (UW-Oshkosh) leads the Raiders offense. McClelland has thrown for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
"McClelland has spread the ball around equally to his top three targets. Sam D'Alie (Racine Horlick High School) has 23 catches fo 398 yards and 8 touchdowns. Rookie Dom Kegel (Greenville College), who earned most valuable player awards playing in Europe, has 22 receptions for 359 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dorian Palmer (Zion-Benton High School) is also in the mix with 21 grabs for 373 yards and 4 touchdowns. Adding to McClelland's weapons are tight end Traves Worthington (Lakeland College) who has 14 catches for 286 yards and 6 touchdowns and wide receiver Will Norwood (Miami University - Ohio) with 11 receptions for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns in just six games.
"The Raiders rushing attack features J.R. Taylor, who played with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at Eastern Illinois University and was signed as a priority free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2003. Taylor was named co-offensive player of the year in the Mid-States Football League this season after rushing for 937 yards and 12 touchdowns.
"Taylor was joined in the backfield by Damonshay Pitt (Racine Park High School) who added 370 yards and 3 touchdowns and rookie Ivry Lashley (South Milwaukee High School) with 330 yards and 6 touchdowns.
"The Raiders defense is considered one of the best in the country. It all begins with the defensive line for Racine. Ardrey Jarrett (Waukegan High School) recorded 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks on the season while Jaran Rutledge (Knox College) and Larry Williams (North Park University) helped hold down the interior of the line. Rutledge had six tackles for loss and three sacks while Williams contributed eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
"The pressure applied by the defensive line helps safety Torie Ruffin (Concordia University Wisconsin) roam downfield. Ruffin leads the team with 60 tackles, 7 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 3 defensive touchdowns. Nate Heard (UW-Oshkosh) is a shutdown cornerback and leads the team with 14 pass breakups while also grabbing four interceptions.
"The linebackers are led by veteran Nate Harris. Harris had eight tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and nine quarterback hurries. Deveron Davis (Racine Lutheran High School) is the leading tackler of the bunch with 37 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss and a sack. Brandon Hendrickson and Jordan Scott, both out of Kenosha Bradford High School, are big contributors. Hendrickson, playing in just six games this season due to injury, recorded 26 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Scott is second on the team with 12 tackles for loss and has 5 sacks.
"ABOUT THE 2013 ALBANY METRO MALLERS
"Albany is anchored by veteran center Andres Morris who played collegiately at C.W. Post University. Morris was a first team all-star selection in the Empire Football League in 2011 and 2012 and has been a perennial minor league football All-American during his career.
"The Metro Mallers use a multi-headed rushing attack. C.J. Tarver, the team's all-purpose back, was named the most valuable player in the Metro Mallers 41-14 league championship win over the nationally ranked South Buffalo Celtics.
"Two of their biggest offensive weapons are wide receivers Culture Branch and Jason Quinn. Quinn, who is banged up a bit, is the possession receiver for Albany. Branch has won several all-league awards in his time with the team.
"On defense, three Murdock brothers start for Albany. Darnell, Dwayne and Donald start on the defensive line, outside linebacker and defensive back, respectively. Alex Brace is the featured linebacker for the Metro Mallers.
"'The guys have been around each other awhile,' says owner Sal Iavarone. 'The defensive starting unit has been together for around five years.'
"Two players on the Albany roster actually played in the last game between the two teams back in 1991. Iavarone started with the Metro Mallers in 1980 and played through the 2011 season. He's still on the roster but he suffered a broken hand in October 2011 and hasn't felt comfortable enough to take the field again.
"'I haven't officially retired,' says Iavarone.
"Jeff Lipscomb, currently a non-starter for the team at the age of 52, also played in the game in Racine in 1991. Lipscomb has been a member of the Metro Mallers off-and-on for 25 years.
"The Racine Raiders, a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, begin their 61st season of operations in 2013. The Raiders won their eighth national championship in 2012. Find out more about the Racine Raiders at http://www.racineraiders.com."
"The Raiders will be attempting to win their second straight national title and the ninth in team history. It will be the last game with head coach Gino Perfetto at the helm as Perfetto already announced he will not return in 2014.
"The Metro Mallers have a strong history dating back to 1972. Albany won a national championship in 2008 and have won nine league championships including winning the SPF - The League league title this season, their first in the league after moving from the Empire Football League.
"The two teams have played once before. In 1991, the Racine Raiders played an independent schedule and Albany traveled to Racine. The Raiders won, 27-13.
"The game will be carried live on WRJN 1400 AM and streaming at http://www.wrjn.com beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. with Don Wadewitz and Tom Christensen. Belle TV will also record the game with the audio from the radio broadcast for rebroadcast at a later date.
"ABOUT THE 2013 RACINE RAIDERS
"The Raiders feature a balanced offense and one of the best defenses in the country. Second-year quarterback Craig McClelland (UW-Oshkosh) leads the Raiders offense. McClelland has thrown for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
"McClelland has spread the ball around equally to his top three targets. Sam D'Alie (Racine Horlick High School) has 23 catches fo 398 yards and 8 touchdowns. Rookie Dom Kegel (Greenville College), who earned most valuable player awards playing in Europe, has 22 receptions for 359 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dorian Palmer (Zion-Benton High School) is also in the mix with 21 grabs for 373 yards and 4 touchdowns. Adding to McClelland's weapons are tight end Traves Worthington (Lakeland College) who has 14 catches for 286 yards and 6 touchdowns and wide receiver Will Norwood (Miami University - Ohio) with 11 receptions for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns in just six games.
"The Raiders rushing attack features J.R. Taylor, who played with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at Eastern Illinois University and was signed as a priority free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2003. Taylor was named co-offensive player of the year in the Mid-States Football League this season after rushing for 937 yards and 12 touchdowns.
"Taylor was joined in the backfield by Damonshay Pitt (Racine Park High School) who added 370 yards and 3 touchdowns and rookie Ivry Lashley (South Milwaukee High School) with 330 yards and 6 touchdowns.
"The Raiders defense is considered one of the best in the country. It all begins with the defensive line for Racine. Ardrey Jarrett (Waukegan High School) recorded 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks on the season while Jaran Rutledge (Knox College) and Larry Williams (North Park University) helped hold down the interior of the line. Rutledge had six tackles for loss and three sacks while Williams contributed eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
"The pressure applied by the defensive line helps safety Torie Ruffin (Concordia University Wisconsin) roam downfield. Ruffin leads the team with 60 tackles, 7 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 3 defensive touchdowns. Nate Heard (UW-Oshkosh) is a shutdown cornerback and leads the team with 14 pass breakups while also grabbing four interceptions.
"The linebackers are led by veteran Nate Harris. Harris had eight tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and nine quarterback hurries. Deveron Davis (Racine Lutheran High School) is the leading tackler of the bunch with 37 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss and a sack. Brandon Hendrickson and Jordan Scott, both out of Kenosha Bradford High School, are big contributors. Hendrickson, playing in just six games this season due to injury, recorded 26 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Scott is second on the team with 12 tackles for loss and has 5 sacks.
"ABOUT THE 2013 ALBANY METRO MALLERS
"Albany is anchored by veteran center Andres Morris who played collegiately at C.W. Post University. Morris was a first team all-star selection in the Empire Football League in 2011 and 2012 and has been a perennial minor league football All-American during his career.
"The Metro Mallers use a multi-headed rushing attack. C.J. Tarver, the team's all-purpose back, was named the most valuable player in the Metro Mallers 41-14 league championship win over the nationally ranked South Buffalo Celtics.
"Two of their biggest offensive weapons are wide receivers Culture Branch and Jason Quinn. Quinn, who is banged up a bit, is the possession receiver for Albany. Branch has won several all-league awards in his time with the team.
"On defense, three Murdock brothers start for Albany. Darnell, Dwayne and Donald start on the defensive line, outside linebacker and defensive back, respectively. Alex Brace is the featured linebacker for the Metro Mallers.
"'The guys have been around each other awhile,' says owner Sal Iavarone. 'The defensive starting unit has been together for around five years.'
"Two players on the Albany roster actually played in the last game between the two teams back in 1991. Iavarone started with the Metro Mallers in 1980 and played through the 2011 season. He's still on the roster but he suffered a broken hand in October 2011 and hasn't felt comfortable enough to take the field again.
"'I haven't officially retired,' says Iavarone.
"Jeff Lipscomb, currently a non-starter for the team at the age of 52, also played in the game in Racine in 1991. Lipscomb has been a member of the Metro Mallers off-and-on for 25 years.
"The Racine Raiders, a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization, begin their 61st season of operations in 2013. The Raiders won their eighth national championship in 2012. Find out more about the Racine Raiders at http://www.racineraiders.com."
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