On the prowl

     By Kirk Kern
     View editor
      The Las Vegas Wolves went 9-2 last year in their initial campaign and lost in the championship game of the High Desert semi-pro football league.
      This year's version of the Wolves may be hard-pressed to match that squad, having lost star wide receiver Ricky Ross to the Indoor Professional Football League.
      "We have 40 guys out there, mostly specialty players," said Edwin Rose, Wolves owner and also a player on the team. "We've already had tryouts, but we're still taking on people. We really need some linemen."
      The Wolves, who played home games at Cheyenne High last year, have moved to Mojave High, where they opened the season Sunday against the Bakersfield (Calif.) Rockets.
      The Wolves were led last season by Ross, who has since gone on to star for the indoor Idaho Stallions. This past season, Ross finished third in the IPFL in scoring with 126 points. He was tied for sixth in receptions with 47 catches and fourth in yards with 736 yards.
      "We set it up for recreational purposes," Rose said. "We tried to get the guys together to continue their football careers. It's turned out bigger than we thought. Most want to continue their football careers, but once you hit age 26 or older, it looks pretty dim."
      The Wolves are a nonprofit organization that promotes physical fitness, family values and volunteering in the community. Funding for the Wolves comes from sponsorships and players' efforts to earn money for the team. Some of their equipment was donated and several of the players had their own.
      The squad is coached by Ozzie Robinson along with assistants James Storm, Tim Griffith, Axel James and Fred Walters.
      Many of the players have local ties as well.
      Darrell Green, a UNLV standout in 1995, returns at outside linebacker. Al Tate, a former Rancho High and Dixie (Utah) College standout, made the squad this year at wide receiver, as did Basic High alums Tony Lichner and David Mestas. Ex-Rancho player Travis Thomas will play cornerback for the Wolves.
      Other returning players include backs Eric Ruffin and Thurman McKinney, defensive tackle Howard Carter and strong safety Wynton Blue.
      While many positions were set heading into the opener, Rose said there was uncertainty at possibly the most important spot -- quarterback.
      Going into the opener, the leading candidate for the job was Joe Kristosik, UNLV's All-American punter last season and a former Bishop Gorman quarterback. Kristosik had indicated he'd like to play for the Wolves but still had some opportunities to try out for NFL squads as a punter.
      "He said he was recruited out of (Bishop Gorman) high school as a quarterback," Rose said. "If he doesn't make it in the NFL, he'll come back and play for us."
      Other candidates included Brian Lund and Scott Henninger. Rose said he'd also like to contact Jon Denton about playing on the team, but hasn't been able to reach the former UNLV and Green Valley High star.
      The High Desert League consists of the California (Los Angeles) Allstars, the Los Angeles Falcons, Bay City (Calif.) Falcons, Moreno Valley (Calif.) Mercury, Bakersfield and Las Vegas.
      Last year, the Wolves lost in the league championship game to the Los Angeles Falcons, 22-0. Earlier in the season, Las Vegas beat the Falcons 26-0, but Rose said his team was a little intimidated playing on the road.
      "We had a lot of first-year players last year and they were a little scared," Rose said. "I played with the Falcons for seven years and they're all good guys. But there's something about South Central (Los Angeles) that our guys just couldn't get over."
      The team practices at Paradise Park at Tropicana Boulevard and McLeod Drive on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Anyone interested in joining the Wolves can call Rose at 395-3250.SCHEDULE
      Sept. 19 -- at California Allstars
      Sept. 26 -- Los Angeles Falcons
      Oct. 3 -- at Bay City (Oakland, Calif.) Falcons
      Oct. 10 -- at Moreno Valley Mercury
      Oct. 17 -- at Bakersfield Rockets
      Oct. 24 -- California Allstars
      Oct. 31 -- Los Angeles Falcons
      Nov. 7 -- Bay City (Oakland, Calif.) Falcons
      Nov. 14 -- at Moreno Valley Mercury
     All home games, 1 p.m. at Mojave High School. Admission is $5, with first 100 fans getting free programs and balloons. Children under 14 are free.