The Hudson Valley Fort, a minor-league football team in the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL), plays at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, the Hudson Valley Renegades home since 1994. Their first regular-season game is Saturday, October 10th vs. the BROOKLYN BOLTS, announced Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and the Renegades.
“Autumn in the Hudson Valley is special; it’s better since we’ve added football to the foliage,” County Executive Molinaro said. “We look forward to defending the Fort.”
The FXFL was founded in 2014 by Commissioner/CEO Brian Woods to create a developmental platform for professional football talent.
John Jenkins is 2015 head coach/general manager of the Hudson Valley Fort. Head football coach of the University of Houston from 1990-92, Jenkins coached in the USFL and the CFL, favoring a run and shoot offense. Head coach of the CFL's Ottawa Renegades in 2006, Jenkins has mentored prominent quarterbacks Andre Ware, David Klingler, Jim Kelly, Anthony Calvillo and Doug Flutie.
Rod Rust, head coach of the New England Patriots in 1990, is assistant coach. Early in his career, he was an assistant to both Marv Levy and Dick Vermeil.
The 2015 Linebacker Coach is ex-Jet and middle linebacker Marvin Jones, who played for Florida State University (FSU), where he was twice named an All-American. The New York Jets drafted him in the first round in 1993 and he played his entire pro career for them!
Their 1st signee is Lt Trent Steelman! Signed by the Ravens as a free agent, he’ll be a WR for the Fort. He quarterbacked the 2010 Army Black Knights team, representing the US Military Academy at West Point.
Before the Renegades’ 2014 season, Dutchess County invested $1 million in refurbishments to The Dutch, including an artificial-turf playing surface. Team officials said the field was a factor in bringing the FXFL franchise to Fishkill.
The league boasts teams in Brooklyn, NY; Niles, Ohio; and Florida, with players emanating from collegiate football powerhouses, such as the University of Florida, Baylor University, NC State, Oklahoma and Clemson, among others. Additional home games are:
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd vs. BROOKLYN BOLTS
• FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th vs FLORIDA BLACKTIPS
Headquartered in NYC, the league counts ESPN3 and 20+ regional sports networks among its broadcast partners.
Fort games give fans more chances to enjoy Dutchess Stadium, and visitors the opportunity to enjoy everything the region has to offer in autumn. Follow them on twitter and Facebook.
