“We are excited to get on the field. We have 56 guys on our roster right now. These guys are just chomping at the bit to get out there and hit somebody.”
Those are the words of Marcos Alfaro, the owner and President of the Manitowoc County Mariners.
The local semi-pro football team kicks off their 14th season Saturday afternoon when they travel to Fall River Wisconsin to meet the Madison Mad Dawgs in a Northern Lights Football League contest.
The Mariners are two years removed from playing in the Northern Lights Championship game and reached the semi-finals last year, where they were defeated by the eventual league champion Illinois Cowboys.
Alfaro tells Seehafer Sports that they have 63 players signed, but only 53 can suit up on gameday, a great problem he says to have.
“We’ve had six guys not come back or to try again next year,” he explained. “It has zero to do with their ability to play football but everything to do with attitude. We look at the attitude we are bringing into the community and then build positively from there.”
There are 19 rookies on the roster, along with four players with 10 or more years’ experience, led by 14-year veteran defensive back Cory Oligney of Oconto.
Alfaro loves the makeup and chemistry of this year’s team.
“Over 30 players on our roster are from the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area. These are our kids that we are helping to grow, stay in the community, and give them another opportunity to play football,” Alfaro said. “That the community embraces what we are ding says and means a lot.”
The Mariners will once again play their home games on Saturday afternoons at Rubick Field in Manitowoc. Four of their five home games will kick off at 3 p.m. with one having a noon start.
This, says Alfaro, gives fans a great opportunity to see them play, plus enjoy other activities the area has to offer during the spring and summertime.
As for what will define success in 2024, Alfaro says, “Obviously, we want to win. We want our home base to have a winner. Winning has never been the goal. When we won championships, I always told the guys that titles and victories will eventually come, but the number one priority is that we continue to grow as a family.”
Saturday’s game in Fall River starts at 1 p.m.
The Mariners home opener is May 18th against the Brown County Blackjacks. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
