Cass County is wild about Renegade football
WEEPING WATER — With their legs slung lazily off the back end of a pickup, Ben Meeske and Ben Heneger discussed the nightlife in their hometown on a July weekend night.
Meeske shook his head. "There's nothing to do," he said.
Except for Saturday nights like the one Meeske and Heneger were enjoying.
On July 9, Weeping Water hosted its first semi-pro football game, between the Cass County Renegades and the Springfield (Mo.) Rifles. Meeske and Heneger, both 18, were parked atop a hill overlooking the town's Memorial Field. About 500 others also watched the action — quite a crowd in a town of 1,100.
"It's kind of neat," Heneger said during the game's second half. "I'm glad there's something to do now."
Many residents have the same reaction to the nonprofit team, which is part of the North American Football League.
"So far, for the most part, it's been a real social thing for everyone," said Kay Gerdes, city clerk. "It's real good, cheap entertainment."
Before setting roots in Cass County, the team spent seven seasons as the Lincoln Renegades, said team owner and head coach James Wall.
"I think moving to Weeping Water has given us a more accepting fan base," Wall said. "They've accepted us with open arms. It's better out here, there's more support. We've gotten free advertising and sponsorships."
Wall proposed bringing the summer team to Weeping Water in April and signed a contract with the City Council to last through the 2005 season, Gerdes said. The contract will be renewed next season.
"I think they did it that way to see how it would work in a small town," Gerdes said.
So far, it's been working well for both the team and the community.
"It seems to be more community-based atmosphere, almost carnival-like," said Renegades quarterback Travis Grant. "There's a grill going, neighbors chatting away, kids are running around.
"I think having the team (in Weeping Water) gives the people something to do and we appreciate having fans to watch us, so, you know, it's a win-win situation for everyone."
Except that, through July, the Renegades hadn't actually won a game this season. But that hasn't deterred the hundreds of fans who have come out for the team's three home games this season.
Joe and Sharon Heneger sat near the end zone in blue foldout chairs during the first July game and said not even high school sporting events get as much fanfare.
"It's fun watching them," Joe Heneger said. "I'm glad Weeping Water's got something like this now. It beats staying home and doing nothing."
The move to Cass County put the Renegades in the NAFL's Missouri Division, Wall said. In Lincoln, the team took on opponents in Omaha, Norfolk, South Dakota and northern Iowa.
"The Missouri Division has been harder; there's more talent," Wall said. "All the teams in the division have grown men versus our guys, some who are barely out of high school."
At 24, Ricky "Bubba" Switzer is a few years out of Weeping Water High School but admits barely playing football before joining the Renegades this season.
"I've ended up playing pretty much every position," he said. "I didn't know about the Renegades and I think it's pretty awesome to be playing with them."
Wall said he hopes to recruit more players from Cass County next season.
"It's hard to recruit in Nebraska for our team, because players want to play for paying teams, like the Lincoln Capitols or Omaha Beef," Wall said. "But what a lot of guys don't realize is that playing in our league is like a stepping-stone to getting to those teams."
Wall said he moved the team to Cass County to be closer to the Nebraska Boys Home, a group home he owns near Weeping Water.
"After I had seven boys living at the group home, I decided to move the team, instead of lugging the boys to Lincoln all the time," Wall said. "It gives the boys some kind of activity and ownership — something they're part of."
That dedication to youth and youth services resonates through the team. Every Renegades player must perform 40 to 60 hours of community service every season to remain active on the roster. Most of the players spend their time with youth organizations, Wall said.
"At the level we play at, you think nobody cares, because you're not the Huskers," Grant said. "But the kids, you know, ages 6 to 12, that's who we play for. They know you're playing football and they look up to football players."
Grant, 32, from South Carolina, is one of the few Renegades players with a football history. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1990 to 1995 and played football and ran track and field for the Huskers before earning a degree in marketing.
He joined the Renegades in 2001 as a quarterback.
"After I stopped playing competitive football, I began to miss it," he said. "When the opportunity came around to play for the Renegades, I took it."
Playing for the Renegades can be a little less than glamorous, however.
After paying $500 for NAFL fees, players buy their own equipment and sometimes share helmets, jerseys and even positions during games. Before home games, Wall collects the $5 admission at the gate and has even donned a jersey when there weren't enough players.
And not a dime is earned for the countless tackles, sacks, throws or rushes the players make during the hot summer season.
But it isn't about the money, as any Renegades player will disclose.
"It's an opportunity to compete, and that's the immediate appeal," Grant said. "But I love the game. I love playing it on the PlayStation, I love watching college and professional football. I absolutely love it in every way."
For players like Switzer and William Koontz, however, playing for the Renegades could mean a paying gig with the National Indoor Football League or even the NFL.
"We're not just playing for fun," said Koontz, a wide receiver. "It's a competitive game and I think a lot of individual goals for players is to make it to the NFL or NFL Europe. When you play well for a league like the NAFL, you get noticed."
For now, Weeping Water has noticed. Gerdes said having the opposing teams come from out of state helps put the small Cass County town on the map.
"I think having the Renegades in Weeping Water is a great thing," Gerdes said. "As a group, you can tell they really like to play. Win or lose, I think everyone's having a great time."
The Renegades have two remaining home games: Aug. 20 vs. the Kansas Kaos and Aug. 27 vs. the St. Charles Spirit. All games begin at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field in Weeping Water. Tickets are $5; admission is free for children under 10. More information, including directions, can be found at www.renegadefootball.net.
Reach Jonnie Taté Finn at 473-7395 or tfinn@journalstar.com.
Meeske shook his head. "There's nothing to do," he said.
Except for Saturday nights like the one Meeske and Heneger were enjoying.
On July 9, Weeping Water hosted its first semi-pro football game, between the Cass County Renegades and the Springfield (Mo.) Rifles. Meeske and Heneger, both 18, were parked atop a hill overlooking the town's Memorial Field. About 500 others also watched the action — quite a crowd in a town of 1,100.
"It's kind of neat," Heneger said during the game's second half. "I'm glad there's something to do now."
Many residents have the same reaction to the nonprofit team, which is part of the North American Football League.
"So far, for the most part, it's been a real social thing for everyone," said Kay Gerdes, city clerk. "It's real good, cheap entertainment."
Before setting roots in Cass County, the team spent seven seasons as the Lincoln Renegades, said team owner and head coach James Wall.
"I think moving to Weeping Water has given us a more accepting fan base," Wall said. "They've accepted us with open arms. It's better out here, there's more support. We've gotten free advertising and sponsorships."
Wall proposed bringing the summer team to Weeping Water in April and signed a contract with the City Council to last through the 2005 season, Gerdes said. The contract will be renewed next season.
"I think they did it that way to see how it would work in a small town," Gerdes said.
So far, it's been working well for both the team and the community.
"It seems to be more community-based atmosphere, almost carnival-like," said Renegades quarterback Travis Grant. "There's a grill going, neighbors chatting away, kids are running around.
"I think having the team (in Weeping Water) gives the people something to do and we appreciate having fans to watch us, so, you know, it's a win-win situation for everyone."
Except that, through July, the Renegades hadn't actually won a game this season. But that hasn't deterred the hundreds of fans who have come out for the team's three home games this season.
Joe and Sharon Heneger sat near the end zone in blue foldout chairs during the first July game and said not even high school sporting events get as much fanfare.
"It's fun watching them," Joe Heneger said. "I'm glad Weeping Water's got something like this now. It beats staying home and doing nothing."
The move to Cass County put the Renegades in the NAFL's Missouri Division, Wall said. In Lincoln, the team took on opponents in Omaha, Norfolk, South Dakota and northern Iowa.
"The Missouri Division has been harder; there's more talent," Wall said. "All the teams in the division have grown men versus our guys, some who are barely out of high school."
At 24, Ricky "Bubba" Switzer is a few years out of Weeping Water High School but admits barely playing football before joining the Renegades this season.
"I've ended up playing pretty much every position," he said. "I didn't know about the Renegades and I think it's pretty awesome to be playing with them."
Wall said he hopes to recruit more players from Cass County next season.
"It's hard to recruit in Nebraska for our team, because players want to play for paying teams, like the Lincoln Capitols or Omaha Beef," Wall said. "But what a lot of guys don't realize is that playing in our league is like a stepping-stone to getting to those teams."
Wall said he moved the team to Cass County to be closer to the Nebraska Boys Home, a group home he owns near Weeping Water.
"After I had seven boys living at the group home, I decided to move the team, instead of lugging the boys to Lincoln all the time," Wall said. "It gives the boys some kind of activity and ownership — something they're part of."
That dedication to youth and youth services resonates through the team. Every Renegades player must perform 40 to 60 hours of community service every season to remain active on the roster. Most of the players spend their time with youth organizations, Wall said.
"At the level we play at, you think nobody cares, because you're not the Huskers," Grant said. "But the kids, you know, ages 6 to 12, that's who we play for. They know you're playing football and they look up to football players."
Grant, 32, from South Carolina, is one of the few Renegades players with a football history. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1990 to 1995 and played football and ran track and field for the Huskers before earning a degree in marketing.
He joined the Renegades in 2001 as a quarterback.
"After I stopped playing competitive football, I began to miss it," he said. "When the opportunity came around to play for the Renegades, I took it."
Playing for the Renegades can be a little less than glamorous, however.
After paying $500 for NAFL fees, players buy their own equipment and sometimes share helmets, jerseys and even positions during games. Before home games, Wall collects the $5 admission at the gate and has even donned a jersey when there weren't enough players.
And not a dime is earned for the countless tackles, sacks, throws or rushes the players make during the hot summer season.
But it isn't about the money, as any Renegades player will disclose.
"It's an opportunity to compete, and that's the immediate appeal," Grant said. "But I love the game. I love playing it on the PlayStation, I love watching college and professional football. I absolutely love it in every way."
For players like Switzer and William Koontz, however, playing for the Renegades could mean a paying gig with the National Indoor Football League or even the NFL.
"We're not just playing for fun," said Koontz, a wide receiver. "It's a competitive game and I think a lot of individual goals for players is to make it to the NFL or NFL Europe. When you play well for a league like the NAFL, you get noticed."
For now, Weeping Water has noticed. Gerdes said having the opposing teams come from out of state helps put the small Cass County town on the map.
"I think having the Renegades in Weeping Water is a great thing," Gerdes said. "As a group, you can tell they really like to play. Win or lose, I think everyone's having a great time."
The Renegades have two remaining home games: Aug. 20 vs. the Kansas Kaos and Aug. 27 vs. the St. Charles Spirit. All games begin at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field in Weeping Water. Tickets are $5; admission is free for children under 10. More information, including directions, can be found at www.renegadefootball.net.
Reach Jonnie Taté Finn at 473-7395 or tfinn@journalstar.com.
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