Jaguars glad to be back home for new season

During Lorrie Jean Rarey’s early days as general manager of the King County Jaguars, the minor league football team had its home field in Kent. But not really a home.

She and the team set about to change that. And now, after spending last season playing most of their games in Auburn while French Field received a brand-new playing surface, the Jaguars are back in Kent with the idea of making their roots here even stronger.

“We’ve been trying to develop our relationship with Kent. When I took over four years ago, we didn’t have any relationships,” Rarey said. “No one knew about it. We’ve come a long way in brand recognition.”

The perennial power Jaguars, who have moved up to the national-level North American Football League this year, open their new season tonight at 7:30 at French Field against the Kitsap County Bears.

Aside from tonight’s opener, the Jaguars will play host to the British Columbia Spartans in the third annual Cornucopia Bowl on July 12 in conjunction with Kent Cornucopia Days. And, the regular-season finale on Sept. 20 will be the team’s second City of Kent night.

The team is working with Big Brothers and Big Sisters on fundraisers for those organizations, has outsourced its concessions to Havoc Hoops, a local youth basketball team, and will feature cheerleaders from the Liberty Belles junior cheer program. Still in the works are some youth football clinics, though details are not finalized.

They also are doing some cross-marketing with the Seattle Thunderbirds, who will bring their brand of hockey to the new Kent Events Center this winter.

Rarey said the Jags’ door is open to other area groups, too.

“We’re always looking for organizations looking for fundraisers,” she said.