FOOTBALL: Semi-pro football team outlives most teams

A plethora of professional sports teams have come and gone in Las Vegas, but one squad has stood the test of time -- the Las Vegas Wolves semi-pro football team.

The Wolves, the team's moniker the last four years, started out as the Las Vegas Gladiators in the 1970s and were subsequently called the Gamblers, Knights and Kings.

Head coach Herb Robinson would also like the defending West Coast Independent Football League champions to be known by another name.

"We want to become the people's team in Las Vegas," he said. "We've been here for years. The Arena (Football League) team is gone, the Canadian (Football League) team is gone and the XFL team is gone, but we're still around.

"We're a nonprofit organization. We're not asking for anything, just for (the public) to come out and watch us play. We're here to stay. If you want some afternoon clean fun, come out and watch us play. We're the defending champions so that should help right there."

Robinson guided the Wolves to a 10-5 record last year en route to the title. The Wolves, who recently started practicing for their Aug. 5 season opener, are ranked in the top 20 semi-pro teams in the country by the American Football Association.

Edwin Rose, a player/general manager/co-owner who graduated from Rancho, wants to generate more support for the team this season.

"This is our fourth year and nobody knows about us," he said. "It's very good quality here. It's like the XFL without the hype. You get the same smash-mouth football. You see the same hits and the same plays. We have a good defense and a very good offense. It's for real people who play for the love of the game."

The Wolves came from behind to beat the Bakersfield (Calif.) Panthers in last year's IFL championship.

The Wolves, who feature a host of former local prep and college players, stopped the Panthers eight times inside the 10-yard line in the last minute of the game to seal the 18-14 triumph.

Steve Poc, a former quarterback at Valley and UNLV, scored on a short keeper to give the Wolves the lead for good in the fourth quarter.

"He was the missing link," Robinson said. "My first two years, we didn't have a quarterback. We were primarily a running team, but with the addition of a quarterback, we had the whole package. He's an exceptional quarterback.

"These kids worked so hard last year. A lot of them had never been champions and it felt so good to be a champion. To do it with no (assistant) coaches, it was great. It was one of the best feelings I've had in a long time. It did bring tears to my eyes."

Robinson, 46 and a full-time plumber who is still passionate about the game, said the goals for this season are to stay healthy and finish strong.

"We want to keep everybody healthy and finish on a good note," he said. "Whether we win the championship or not, we want to finish with pride."

Robinson said fans coming out to their home games, which are played at Valley High School, can expect to see a solid brand of football.

"You won't hear any XFL crap," he said. "It's basic football for kids who did not make it and who still have love for the game. We have a very disciplined team. Discipline is the key."

Thurman McKinney, a 36-year-old who said he was an all-American fullback at Western, recently retired after 10 years with the Gamblers/Knights/Kings/Wolves.

McKinney, who will act as the team's running back coach this year, said he played at Northern Arizona University and then continued to compete in Las Vegas for the love of the game. He said the intensity of semi-pro football is comparable to high school and college.

"It's the same level. Guys hit just as hard," McKinney said. "That's where you find the true players -- where there's no money involved."

Players have to pay to play for the Wolves, who are looking for sponsors to cover the costs of uniforms and travel expenses. Players must pay a nominal fee for insurance. The team provides trainers and a doctor. Admission to the games is $5 per person, with kids admitted free.

A few players on the Wolves hope it leads to the next level.

Al Tate, a Rancho graduate who said he was named first team all-state in high school and was a second team all-American wideout at Dixie College before getting hurt, said he hopes to play college football again one day.

"If I can get to the next level, I'd love to go, but right now, I just play to stay in shape," he said. "Basically I just still want to play football. I'm going to try to take classes at UNLV in the fall and try to walk on (eventually)."

Tate, a 21-year-old nicknamed Showtime, is one of the youngest players on the Wolves.

"A lot of these guys have been around pro training camps and it's a good experience being around these guys," he said. "To me, football is football. My game level never goes down. I treat every game like it's a national championship or the Super Bowl. It's real exciting (playing for the Wolves), but a whole lot of people don't know about it."

Those interested can call 808-6290.