Racine Threat Gives Good Football

The fall of 2011 looms long if the NFL doesn't end the lock out that could keep stadiums dark and fans deeply disappointed.

But this is the summer and the Racine Threat football team has plenty of play in them, more than enough enthusiasm and great passion for the game.

Made up of 60 men ranging in age from 18 to early 40s, the Racine Threat has been passing the pigskin for a decade and attracting a few hundred football fans each weekend to their games at Ameche Field in Kenosha. More than a few players live in Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant and Caledonia.

"We're the team no one has ever really heard of," said Jesse Booker.

He plays tight end and got involved with the Threat after he played against them as a member of the Caledonia Horsemen. When that club folded five years ago, he joined the Threat and hasn't looked back since.

In his "real" life, Booker is a married father of two, civilian professional who served in the military and has played football since he was a kid on a team with Racine Youth Sports. He says most of the guys on the team have similar backgrounds.

"Most of us have been playing football all of our lives," he said. "We all have regular jobs during the day, but come Saturday during the season, we're no different than the guys who play in the big leagues."

The Racine Threat belongs to the Mid-States Football League and plays against teams from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The team's season is eight regular games and, if they make it, three post-season games including the championship, which they won in 2009. (Click here for a schedule.)

Coached by Tim Thompson, the Racine Threat plays in Kenosha because the Racine Raiders play at Horlick Field. Booker says the team would love to play at Hammes Field at Case High School to keep funds in the Racine community and to further promote the team.

"I think it's unfortunate that we can't play at Hammes, but it really makes sense for them to let us because why should those funds go to Kenosha when that money could stay here?" he asked.

The Threat next play the Lake Geneva Generals in Lake Geneva at 7 pm on July 23. The team's next home game is against the Dane County Hawks at 7 pm at Ameche Field in Kenosha.

Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for kids.