Edited 7/11/19
Semi-Pro Football is returning to Manitowoc this weekend. The Manitowoc County Mariners are coached by Marcos Alfaro, and he told SeehaferNews.com that his team is “…excited to be able to present our product here in Manitowoc for the first time since 2009.”
The Mariners had played their first years at Walsh Field in Two Rivers, but are scheduled to play 3 home games at Ron Rubick Municipal Athletic Field where a new sports turf is in place for the 2nd year. Alfaro says that his team worked extra hard to be able to play on the newly renovated field, not only because players “like to play in facilities like that, but to be able to host… in a great facility.”
MPSD Superintendent Mark Holzman is also pleased by the fact the entities outside the school district are utilizing the new field. Holzman said that “the turf is a great multi-use facility. Lots of different things go on there whether it’s football, or marching band or soccer. We are pleased that we have a few groups that are starting to use that right now.”
The Mariners (1-and-1 this season) will play host to the Wisconsin Hitmen of Milwaukee Saturday afternoon in a 4:00 o’clock kickoff. Alfaro explains that semi-pro football players don’t get paychecks, but play “for the love of the game. Over the course of the years, we have guys use us as a stepping stone to move on elsewhere, whether it’s college, overseas football, or indoor.”
Manitowoc County was successful in the Wisconsin State Football League getting a championship 3 peat in 2015, ’16 and ’17. Now, they’re in their first year of play in the Mid-States Football League. Alfaro said the athleticism and coaching in the new league are on another level. “We were competitive in the WSFL, but here it just seems that one athlete leaves the field and another better one comes on. The depth of athletes on the team is really different.”
Mariners’ players, whose names might ring a bell include: Richard Zachow, affectionately called the sackmaster, Mason Czekala, Jaris Parnau, Tyrell Bullock, Wes Dimmick, Chris Smith, Marcos Alfaro Jr., & wide receiver Andre MacDonald, who spent two years with the Green Bay Blizzard & was a former Big-10 player with Minnesota.
Tickets for Mariners Home games are $7 dollars for adults, $3-dollars for senior citizens & students, and free for all military veterans & children 10 and under.
