2004 May - September ARCHIVED NEWS
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2004 Season In Review
Tuesday, September 21 2004
The Genesee County Patriots finished 3-9 over all (2-7 NAFL) in their North American Football
League inaugural season. Out of 251 AAA teams the American Football News rated the Patriots
schedule as the 8th toughest in terms of opponents' winning percentage (as of September 20, 2004).
The Patriots ended ranked 183 out of the 251 AAA teams and 76 in the NAFL's 88. Each of the 3
wins came from either a 2003 or 2004 playoff team. The Northwest Tigers were a 2003 playoff team
and coming off their first win of the 2004 season when the Patriots over came them 20-18. The
Southwest Michigan Rage were 2003 Central Division champs in the NAFL. The Patriots biggest win
in franchise history (33-6) came on the back of the Michigan Renegades who qualified for the
playoffs in 2004. In addition, the Patriots were within 2 points of beating two other 2004 playoff
teams. The Detroit Diesels, who lost only one NAFL game in the regular season, squeaked by in a
20-21 Pats loss. The Southern Michigan Storm stole another game from the Patriots 12-13 at Pride
stadium. With those two points, the Patriots would have finished 2004 at 5-7 (3-6 NAFL). 6 of the 8
teams the Patriots faced in 2004 qualified for the 2004 playoffs. 3 of those 6 found their way into the
nation's top 10 rankings at some point in the season. The Grand Rapids Thunder were runner ups in
the Minor League Football Association National Championship and Indiana Tornados (a division
rival) not only lost in the 2003 semi finals of the NAFL playoffs but defeated the defending champs
in 2004 on their way to a 9-1 season and home field advantage in the 2004 playoffs. The Rivertown
Rams only losses came by way of the Tornados and a 38-35 loss to national powerhouse Racine
Raiders. This tough schedule has prepared the Patriots well and helped their young roster gain
valuable experience that will help them reach their full potential as the march to the 2005 playoffs
begins now!
Southwest Michigan Rage Fold
Saturday, August 7 2004
Due to issues with securing a home field and player commitments the Southwest Michigan Rage
make the decision to fold. The Rage were Divisional champions in 2003 but were off to a 0-4 start
this season. The August 28 home game between the Rage and Patriots will now feature a new
opponent for the game which will still count in divisional standings. Currently, the Michigan
Renegades are tentatively scheduled to fill the Rage vacancy.
Patriots Winners For Taking the Field
Saturday, July 31 2004
On July 31, the Patriots traveled to Indiana to take on one of the Nation's strongest powerhouses. The
Indiana Tornados were only one game shy of the National Championship game in 2003, falling to
eventual champion Kane County in the Semi-Finals. Loaded with top college talent and past NFL
and Arena athletes Indiana is always an intimidating program to travel to. However, following a week
where a team's head coach resigns, a number of players are injured including starting C Jim Clymer
and SE Demond Sewell, and a list of players are unavailable to make that weeks road trip; many
teams would have backed out of traveling 350 miles to take on such a foe. Yet the Patriots hit to the
road with a roster of only 23 men for the game; this list excluded such starters as OLB Steve Levels,
ILB Mike Peel, OT Mike Potter, DB Jonathon Smith, DB Chad Hawkins, WR Greg Williams, among
others.
Indiana's offense is potent, averaging 50.2 points per game on the backs of players like former NFL
RB Roosevelt Potts of the Colts, Dolphins, and Ravens and such Indiana legends as former Indiana
Mr. Football Israel Thompson. Their defense just as strong, holding teams to 10.6 points per game.
23 players suited to play in the game. By halftime, Indiana had a crushing 48-7 lead and only 20
healthy bodies remained. But the heart and pride in the Patriot ball club showed strong as the men
wearing red, white, and blue refused the offer of a second half running clock. Instead, the players
battled for one more half. At games end, 18 Patriots were all that remained healthy enough to take
the field. But all 23 and the staff were able to walk on the field and shake hands with Indiana who
were humble in victory. Final Score: Patriots 7 - Tornados 78
Doug Palmer Replaces John Thomas
Monday, July 26 2004
There was more then just one priority the Patriots had during the July 24 bye week. Following the two
day youth football camp, Doug Palmer was named head coach replacing John Thomas (1-15 igp,
3-15 over-all, 1 1/2 seasons) following his resignation July 19. The resignation came after a July 18
meeting with General Manager Leo Lyon and Director of Operations Brad Lyon in which concerns
regarding the leadership and direction of the team was discussed. "I just don't think I can be the
coach you guys want me to be," Thomas said in a sad tone regarding managements' request of him
to take a stronger leadership and disciplinary role in creating a team dedicated to winning. "Coach
Thomas is a nice man, a great guy, and a person who loves the sport of football. Yet, at times a
head coach cannot always choose to be the nice guy when developing team dedication," Director
of Operations Brad Lyon stated. "He is an fantastic person who just was not the right coach for the
job needed. We wish him the best in whatever he does from here."
Doug Palmer is promoted from his Defensive Coordinator position during his second season at the
helm of the defense. Coach Palmer ran a successful defense that limited the majority of teams'
offenses during the first three quarters of the 2003 season. However, a young and unproductive
offense was unable to keep the defense off the field during the teams inaugural season. That was
partly due to establishing a new offensive system with all new players and a revolving door situation
at QB. Palmer has been named the Interm Head Coach for the remainder of the 2004 season and
the Interm title may be removed during the off season. "We feel Coach Palmer has the potential to
be a great head coach for the program and we will evaluate that at the end of the year."
Bye Week Youth Football Camp
Wednesday, July 18 2004
During the July 24 bye week the Patriots will be holding their second 2004 season youth football
camp. The July 24 and 25 two day camp will be held at the Clio Youth Sports Complex. The
Patriots held a free football camp for Clio Youth July 11 where nearly 50 kids showed up to learn and
have fun. July 11th camp included coaching by QB Jeff Daniels, WR Peter Jerome, FB/LG Brad
Lyon, CB Elijah Nobel, and SB Demond Sewell. The two day camp will feature even more of your
favorite Patriots players.
Patriots Add More Firepower
Wednesday, July 14 2004
Wednesday, July 14th, the Patriots added two new talented players to their roster. Lake Fenton
Graduate and former 2nd team all GAC conference QB Curt Keranen fills a priority position the
Patriots have looked to acquire. The 6'2, 185 lb quarterback was a Tri-County Times Newspaper and
Channel 12 athlete of the week. Ferris State DB 6', 195 lb Justin Hopgood also was signed and adds
great talent to a defense that has been impressive in the last two games. Hopgood was signed from
the Flint Fury, a AA team in the OVFL. "We are not comfortable sitting still just being happy with
being competitive. As a program, our goal is to win and we will continue to build and acquire the
best talent we can in order to do so," Vice-President and Director of Operations Brad Lyon stated.
"We feel all of our recent signings including Curt and hopgood are a big piece of making this team a
success.
Patriots Sign Talented Free Agents
Monday, July 5 2004
On Monday, July 5th, former Arena Football League QB/LB Mike Rankee who also was a member of
the Lansing Lightning signed with the Patriots. He was a member of the Milwaukee Mustangs, an
AFL team that left Milwaukee after the 2001 season. He is the second new Arena player added to the
roster this season as Steve Levels, a past LB from the Flint Flames Indoor Football Team joined the
team earlier this season. Levels has already showed he is a great addition to the program after a
huge game against the Storm where he captured 2.5 sacks and an INT return for a touchdown. Also
just added to the team during the bye week is CB Jonathon Smith who played for Northwood
University. In addition, Rankee or incumbent QB Jeff Daniels may have a nice new WR threat from a
local Flint Central High School grad, 6'2 Greg William.
Wrestling at Halftime, Pro Wrestling June 5th
Friday, May 28 2004
Saturday Night Slam and Legends of Wrestling Entertainment has teamed up with the Genesee
County Patriots to add even more excitement to Patriot home games. During the home opener on
June 5th, SNS will present a halftime show featuring Atomic Demolition with Manager Henry Fuji
versus America's team, the Cowboysin a tag team match. This is the first in what may become a
series of partnerships with the Legends of Wrestling organization to bring Pro Wrestling and Pro
Football together on the same stage.
Patriots Show Power In Strength Scrimmage
Friday, May 21 2004
The Genesee County Patriots were host to the Macomb County Strength Friday, May 21 at their
practice field location. Each team's offensive and defensive units had two series of 15 plays against
the opposing unit. The Strength offense was the first to take the field against the Patriots' defense.
The Strength showed some big play ability but a number of strong stands by the defense kept them
out of the Red Zone for their first series. The Patriot Offense was able to move the ball for consistent
short gains but the Strength defense matched the Patriot's own as both teams went scoreless in the
first half. The second Macomb Offensive series led to a combination of an interception, fumble, and
a well caught deep pass for a touchdown. Finally, the last series of the night featured the Patriot
offense showing a long response of their own with RB Terry Carter breaking out for a big TD run.
Each defense had an interception and a number of fumble recoveries on the night.
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