WEBSTER CITY - Can semi-pro football not only exist, but thrive in Webster City?  It was a question that no one had the answer to just a few short months ago.

But with one season almost in the books it's safe to say that the inaugural campaign for the Midwest Rampage has been a success. True, the team's record could be better - so say many of the players as they enter the final week at 3-5 overall - but the support from the community has made this a summer to remember, says team president and starting middle linebacker John Elkin.

"I am proud to say I am very glad the Rampage came to be," Elkin, one of the organization's founders, said. "We've enjoyed tremendous support from our fans, the town and (local) businesses, and we've averaged 320 (spectators) a game, which is far superior to the other teams we play."

But the Rampage hope to enjoy one more successful evening on the field on Saturday when it closes out the season at home against the Bridge City Knights (0-1) at 5:30 p.m.

Out of Ottumwa, the Knights are a second-year team that feature former University of Iowa running back Jermelle Lewis, who started for the Hawkeyes in 2002. They will throw the triple-option offensive attack at a Rampage defense that has been stingy during large portions of the season.

Elkin leads the Rampage defense with 83 tackles. Veteran defensive lineman Brian Miller has six sacks, and says this season has proven that the small-town Rampage can compete in the World Football League.

"For a first-year team, even though our record isn't what we wanted it to be, for us to come out and do what we've done and compete against all of these large-city teams, it just shows that we have a solid base to build on for the future," he said.

Defensive tackle Cory Simpson will join the Rampage for the first time this season. A three-year veteran of the Iowa Eagles, Simpson just recently returned from a year-long tour in Afghanistan, and he will serve as an honorary captain on Saturday.

Bruising running back Jake Thoma has gained 607 yards on the ground to spearhead the Rampage offensively. Rookie Dan Schaa has also been a vital cog, particularly in recent weeks since he moved to quarterback.

Saturday's contest will also be an Orange Out, as every spectator that wears an orange shirt will receive a free bag of popcorn. In addition, all apparel will be marked down 20 percent, food at the concessions stand will be sold at a reduced rate, and $10 gift cards to the Grid Iron will be raffled off for every Rampage first down.

The Rampage players will also take part in Friday's Relay for Life. The team will raffle off an official Rampage helmet, signed by all of the players, with all of the proceeds going to the Hamilton County chapter of the American Cancer Society as they also will have a dunk tank in which for $1 a person gets 3 attempts to dunk a player of their choice.