Hillsdale County Red Raiders football team is looking for players

HILLSDALE — Amateur American Football clubs are taking root in many states in the U.S. Many of these semi-professional football leagues offer former high school or college athletes another chance to play the game they remain passionate about. Several amateur club leagues can be found across the state of Michigan and one club looks to earn it's spot in Hillsdale County sports history. 

The Hillsdale County Red Raiders were officially formed as the first amateur club of it's kind within county limits. The club was founded by club owner Daniel Shearer and fellow football enthusiasts in 2021. The club has steadily worked towards committing to a full season of games. Shearer and the rest of the club owners, who also play for the club, have been looking to raise awareness of their efforts and to attract potential players in Hillsdale communities. 

The Red Raiders are looking for players to join their 35-player roster for the upcoming football season. Participants must be 18-years of age or older and only need to pay a participation fee to play. The fee goes towards buying equipment and jerseys. The Raiders sport a grey and red color scheme for their uniforms. The Red Raiders will compete in a full season of games within the Central Michigan Amateur Football League. The CMAFL is composed of several amateur clubs from the state of Michigan, including teams from Lansing. 

The Raiders have already played in a pre-season game against the Albion Warriors amateur club. The team will look to improve on their conditioning and player numbers to help them compete this season. For interested participants, practices run this summer on Thursday's and Sunday's from 6-8 p.m.

Daniel Shearer, a 2008 graduate from Hillsdale, saw an opportunity to get back into the game he loves and organized the original start-up with friends. "We wanted to bring something fun to the community," said Daniel Shearer. "Around March of this year is when things really took off. We are committed to the league this September. We will need help from the community to make this thing happen and to help organize a potential home site."

Head coach Mark Titus joined the club this summer. A North Adams graduate, Titus saw it as an opportunity to help promote a community organization that looks to take in players from any skill level and any situation. Coach Titus believes that the team can be an opportunity to provide a safe and fun community based program that can grow and evolve into something special. Titus said that the opportunity to coach the team will allow him to help community members beyond just the game of football.

"We are all figuring this out together and everyone is working together to make this happen. We have a great group of players that are working hard to get better each practice. We range from 18-year old players to 40-year old players. This is an opportunity for people to have a second chance to play the game." 

Assistant coach Ted Jermeay said the team has attracted a variety of participants that are looking to find a way to experience the game in a similar fashion to how they group up playing. Coach Jermeay said that many members hold jobs and take time out of their schedules to come out to practices. 

"A lot of these players have families and this team gives them something for their families to look forward to. Someone's kid can say 'There's my dad playing football'. It makes it more special for their families to see them playing. These people want to do this. They want to push themselves because they want to play the game."

The inaugural season will kick off this fall. Shearer and the rest of the club owners are looking for community sponsors to help fundraise. Shearer says that sponsors will be a key in helping them compete in a full season of games. The Raiders are looking into local fields to use for home games, but they will compete in away games until they lock in a potential home site. 

Players that are interested in joining the team can contact organizers at the group Facebook page or Daniel Shearer directly at (517) 425-2373. Player fees are $150.