Editor
03-08-2011, 08:08 PM
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p474170734-2.jpg
The Decatur Rage broke into the league last year and made the statement that they were going to be a team to be reckoned with. A 8-2 regular season followed by an opening round playoff win made for a fine introduction to the league, but the ownership and coaching staff spent the winter recruiting more talent to make this year's Rage squad even more formidable.
TriStateFans.com asked Rage-In-Cheif Nick Kime to tell us about this year's team.
TSF: Tell us about personnel. Who are your key new additions, your losses via retirement or team transfer, etc.?
Rage: WR/DB Dante Ridgeway- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Ridgeway for info on him
QB Dylan Ward- http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11658259.html (http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11658259.html) nice little writeup on him; RB- Abraham Jones- http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-xctrack/mtt/jones_abe00.html also played football one season at U of I. Rushed for 4000 yards in 2 seasons in hs at Rolling Meadows. Was a 2008 Beijing Olympics alternate in the 400m; WR- Gunnar Edwards- Tuscola HS- 2 year All State, leading receiver for team winning two state championships and finishing second once. Leading CB on team as well with 11 int's his senior season. over 1800 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns in 2 years. CB- Garland Walton, Ol/Dl- Antony Clark- Springfield Foxes (#13)
WR- Louis Staley- Springfield Foxes (#1), CB/WR- Ponce Palmer- St Francis University, Chicago Rush AFL (he played 1 game for us last year, #44 at the game you were at), WR- Kwain Karrick- Springfield Foxes (#32), LB- Reggie Anthony- Springfield Foxess, OL- Jarred Phelps, DL/OL- Darrion Phiffer- Springfield Foxes, DL- Eric Pugh and last but not least OL- Dustin Waldrop- 2 time 8FL All Star OL.
TSF: Who are your coaches, and your major sponsors for the year?
Rage:Head Coach/Defensive Coordiantor- Nick Kime
Offensive Coordiantor- Jon Roe
Line/Special Teams- Dave Williams
Assistant Defensive Coordianator- Clayton Kirksey
Assistant Offensive Coordinator- Tracy Stepney
Assistant Support Coach- Kinney Jackson
Sponsors-
Buffalo Wild Wings
Caterpillar
Play It Again Sports
Miles Cheverolet
Kuhl Ford in Assumption
Robbies Grille
ESPN 1050 The Fan- The Aric Lee Show
217football.net
Heiserman Construction
1 Stop Auto
Hollinshead Graphics
Lucas Lawn Care
TSF: Where is your home field and what is the address so people can look it up for driving directions?
Rage:Home Field- Meridian Middle School- 509 S Lewis Blue Mound, Il
Click here for MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=509%20S%20Lewis%20, BLUE%20MOUND, IL&t=h)
TSF: What time do you plan to start your games.?
Rage:Game time is 3pm
TSF: Without giving away details to opponents, what are your main offensive and defensive priorities (i.e. do you see yourself as a passing team more this year, are you looking to blitz due to new players, etc.)?
Rage: We are focusing more on defense this season. Our philosophy is if you cant score on us, you cant beat us. We will surely be able to put the numbers up on the offensive side of the ball with an extremely versatile attack that will include many different looks that will be hard for teams to prepare for. And it will be extremely hard to match our talent, speed, and depth. But our defense will be taking on a new attitude this year, and i just feel sorry for the teams that have to play against them.
TSF: Do you have any team goals (other than the obvious, to win the championship trophy)?
Rage: Team Goal- To create and maintain an environment people want to be a part of, make memories, lead by example, help our community, and do the right things. That is success. Its not about the destination, its the journey that matters.
TSF: Can you give a brief history of your team/organization?
The Rage was formed in June of 2009 by owners Nick Kime and Sean Hendrickson. The main goal and purpose to form the team was to give young men a chance to relive their glory days on the field, as well as show their talent to possibly be looked at for a higher level. Many lives have been changed by semi pro football, and for some, it has become a way of life.
In the Rage's inaugural season in 2010, we went 9-3 with a loss in the National Conference Championship. The Rage also led the charts on almost every catagory of individual achievement in the 8FL stats.
We thank all the support that we receive from our fans and encourage everyone to come experience the passion and love for the game that you can not find at any other level of football. These men are laying it all on the line for one another, all for pride.
TSF: Thanks to Nick Kime for taking the time to answer our questions. You can find more information about the Decatur Rage at their website:
http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=RAGEFOOTBALL&t=c&s=football&p=home
TriStateFans.com photos by Photoguy of the 2009 Decatur Rage.
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p984837691-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v14/p566001620-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p788282816-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p724897720-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p38714737-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v8/p264022141-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v12/p675594069-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p861394855-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p1054926465-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v18/p669428295-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v7/p812382554-2.jpg
The Decatur Rage broke into the league last year and made the statement that they were going to be a team to be reckoned with. A 8-2 regular season followed by an opening round playoff win made for a fine introduction to the league, but the ownership and coaching staff spent the winter recruiting more talent to make this year's Rage squad even more formidable.
TriStateFans.com asked Rage-In-Cheif Nick Kime to tell us about this year's team.
TSF: Tell us about personnel. Who are your key new additions, your losses via retirement or team transfer, etc.?
Rage: WR/DB Dante Ridgeway- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Ridgeway for info on him
QB Dylan Ward- http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11658259.html (http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11658259.html) nice little writeup on him; RB- Abraham Jones- http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-xctrack/mtt/jones_abe00.html also played football one season at U of I. Rushed for 4000 yards in 2 seasons in hs at Rolling Meadows. Was a 2008 Beijing Olympics alternate in the 400m; WR- Gunnar Edwards- Tuscola HS- 2 year All State, leading receiver for team winning two state championships and finishing second once. Leading CB on team as well with 11 int's his senior season. over 1800 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns in 2 years. CB- Garland Walton, Ol/Dl- Antony Clark- Springfield Foxes (#13)
WR- Louis Staley- Springfield Foxes (#1), CB/WR- Ponce Palmer- St Francis University, Chicago Rush AFL (he played 1 game for us last year, #44 at the game you were at), WR- Kwain Karrick- Springfield Foxes (#32), LB- Reggie Anthony- Springfield Foxess, OL- Jarred Phelps, DL/OL- Darrion Phiffer- Springfield Foxes, DL- Eric Pugh and last but not least OL- Dustin Waldrop- 2 time 8FL All Star OL.
TSF: Who are your coaches, and your major sponsors for the year?
Rage:Head Coach/Defensive Coordiantor- Nick Kime
Offensive Coordiantor- Jon Roe
Line/Special Teams- Dave Williams
Assistant Defensive Coordianator- Clayton Kirksey
Assistant Offensive Coordinator- Tracy Stepney
Assistant Support Coach- Kinney Jackson
Sponsors-
Buffalo Wild Wings
Caterpillar
Play It Again Sports
Miles Cheverolet
Kuhl Ford in Assumption
Robbies Grille
ESPN 1050 The Fan- The Aric Lee Show
217football.net
Heiserman Construction
1 Stop Auto
Hollinshead Graphics
Lucas Lawn Care
TSF: Where is your home field and what is the address so people can look it up for driving directions?
Rage:Home Field- Meridian Middle School- 509 S Lewis Blue Mound, Il
Click here for MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=509%20S%20Lewis%20, BLUE%20MOUND, IL&t=h)
TSF: What time do you plan to start your games.?
Rage:Game time is 3pm
TSF: Without giving away details to opponents, what are your main offensive and defensive priorities (i.e. do you see yourself as a passing team more this year, are you looking to blitz due to new players, etc.)?
Rage: We are focusing more on defense this season. Our philosophy is if you cant score on us, you cant beat us. We will surely be able to put the numbers up on the offensive side of the ball with an extremely versatile attack that will include many different looks that will be hard for teams to prepare for. And it will be extremely hard to match our talent, speed, and depth. But our defense will be taking on a new attitude this year, and i just feel sorry for the teams that have to play against them.
TSF: Do you have any team goals (other than the obvious, to win the championship trophy)?
Rage: Team Goal- To create and maintain an environment people want to be a part of, make memories, lead by example, help our community, and do the right things. That is success. Its not about the destination, its the journey that matters.
TSF: Can you give a brief history of your team/organization?
The Rage was formed in June of 2009 by owners Nick Kime and Sean Hendrickson. The main goal and purpose to form the team was to give young men a chance to relive their glory days on the field, as well as show their talent to possibly be looked at for a higher level. Many lives have been changed by semi pro football, and for some, it has become a way of life.
In the Rage's inaugural season in 2010, we went 9-3 with a loss in the National Conference Championship. The Rage also led the charts on almost every catagory of individual achievement in the 8FL stats.
We thank all the support that we receive from our fans and encourage everyone to come experience the passion and love for the game that you can not find at any other level of football. These men are laying it all on the line for one another, all for pride.
TSF: Thanks to Nick Kime for taking the time to answer our questions. You can find more information about the Decatur Rage at their website:
http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=RAGEFOOTBALL&t=c&s=football&p=home
TriStateFans.com photos by Photoguy of the 2009 Decatur Rage.
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p984837691-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v14/p566001620-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p788282816-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/p724897720-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p38714737-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v8/p264022141-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v12/p675594069-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p861394855-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p1054926465-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v18/p669428295-2.jpg
http://tristatefans.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v7/p812382554-2.jpg