A native of Bettendorf (IA), John not only served as the Rampage President & CEO from the team's inception in 2009 through to full seasons in 2011, but also played middle linebacker where he served as a co-captain in 2010 and '11.  By day, Elkin is the Principal of Webster City High School and combined his knowledge, organizational and recruiting skills, and passion for football to help build the Rampage into what he calls ",,,one of the best Minor League football team in Iowa." 

John played football at Drake University where he was a 3-year starter and 4-year letterman at linebacker.  This past season for the Rampage--who were members of the new league called the Midwest Football Alliance--Elkin led the both the MFA and Rampage with 94 tackles while also earning 1st Team All-MFA honors.  Elkin also intercepted two passes for touchdowns including a 75-yard jaunt versus the Quad City Stallions  (May 21) and in the very next game, a 27-yard score versus the Bridge City Knights (June 4).

In 2010, Elkin led the Rampage and the World Football League with 97 tackles while also being named 1st Team All-MFA and a Minor League Football News All-American.  2009 as a member of the Iowa Eagles, Elkin was not only the 2009 WFL "Co-Defensive Player of the Year," but also 1/3 finalists for the national "Linebacker" and "Defensive Player of the Year" awards presented by Minor League Football News & Hall of Fame.  For the 2009 season, Elkin after racked up 109 tackles while helping the Eagles qualify for the WFL playoffs.  John also was named a 1st Team All-American in 2009 while also being selected as a WFL All-Star. 

Career-wise, in the past five seasons, Elkin was not only a 5-time team MVP as voted by his peers, but he also racked up 450 tackles while starting 50-consecutive games--quite a feat for a player who was 40 years old during the 2011 season.

John and his wife, Jamie, have a son named Rowan and are expecting this second child in April of 2012.

BOARD MEMBER
Andy Sowle

Andy, who played at Ellsworth Community College, has been involved in Minor League football since 2006 when he started playing for the former Iowa Brusiers (who later became the Manson, then Iowa, Eagles).

Andy became a major force on the Eagles' defense from 2007-09 where he was a two-time All-American in 2007 as a 2nd Team selection by Minor League Football News and 2008 was a 3rd Team pick by the Coaches Poll.  Andy was also a NAFL All-Star in 2006 and 2007 and although his 2009 season was cut short due to injury, he was still named a WFL All-Star and finished (tied for) third on the defense in tackles with 46 stops in just 4 games.

In 2010, Andy was not only elected as a co-captain by his teammates, but ranked second on the defense in tackles where he collected 68 tackles from his free safety position; Sowle also intercepted 2 passes while ranking second on the defense with 6 deflected passes and for his efforts was named 1st Team All-WFL in 2010.  Sowle's desire to have a quality Minor League football team in Webster City led him to be one of the ringleader's in helping create and maintain the Rampage.

Andy is a firefighter for the City of Webster City.

Jay Smith is one of two new members to the Rampage Board of Directors and enters his fifth season of playing Minor League Football since 2008.  Like his fellow Rampage members, Jay was a former member of the Iowa Eagles and was an Honorable Mention All-American by Minor League Football News in 2008 for them before helping bring football pride back to Webster City with the inception and rise of the Midwest Rampage.

In 2010, Jay began the season as a defensive end but due to several key injuries, switched positions and became an integral part of the offensive line which carried over into the 2011 season.  After an intense off-season training program with fellow Rampage player John Elkin, Jay became an anchor on the offensive line where he helped make the Rampage offense extraordinary in '11 as the team reached the inaugural MFA championship.  For his efforts, Jay earned 1st Team All-MFA honors and was also voted by his teammates as the "Most Improved Offensive Player" of the 2011 season.

As a defensive end for the Rampage in 2010 and for the Eagles in 2008-09, Smith racked up 43 total tackles plus 8 quarterback sacks along with 4 fumble recoveries.  An All-American in 2008, Jay also was named to the NAFL All-Star game that same season.

BOARD MEMBER
Cory Simpson

Cory Simpson has been involved with Minor League football as long as all the other Rampage Board of Director members dating back to the days of the Manson (and then Iowa) Eagles.  A serviceman who has thrice served overseas, Cory has has two shortened seasons with the Rampage--the first in '10 when he returned from Afghanistan the day before the last game of the season and then in the middle of the '11 campaign; in both cases, his impact on the defensive line and on the sideline was made immediately.

Simpson is a scrappy player who always makes plays.  A former prep for the (high school) Manson Eagles before they consolidated into the Manson-Northwest Webster Cougars, Cory was an All-District defensive end in '1992 and '93 as well as an Honorable Mention All-Stater in '93; as a senior, Simpson collected 21 tackles in a 15-14 loss against Southern Cal which ahs to be some sort of record for a defensive end. 

Cory brings an invaluable sense of loyalty and thought to the Rampage as a new member of the Board of Directors and his passion for football is well-known.  Cory and his new bride, Kate, are expecting their first child this year.