As a former Big Ten Conference and Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player, Brent Moss has the credentials to be head coach of the Racine Threat.

And as someone who once had a series of off-the-field problems, Moss also feels he has the credentials to serve as a mentor for the young men he coaches.

What he has come up with in his first year as coach will go on display today at 7 p.m. when the Threat open their regular season with a Mid-States Football League game against Bolingbrook (Ill.) Buccaneers at Ameche Field in Kenosha. The Threat, who were 10-3 and won the Mid-States Football League West Division championship last season, are coming off a 21-15 preseason victory over the Joliet Stallions June 28 after two losses.

"I've been there and I know how it feels," said the 36-year-old Moss, who led Park to the 1988 WIAA Division 1 state championship and the University of Wisconsin to the 1994 Rose Bowl title. "I know what it takes. I've been coached by the best. And I know how hard it was for me to make sure I graded out at 98 or 99 percent on films every time I played the game with not making mistakes. That's exactly what I can bring to the game.

"Plus, I know about life. I've been through the ups and downs. I think I'm in the best position because I've been there with the lifestyle I used to have. I don't do that anymore. I'm more of a life coach and a lot of the guys I've talked to personally need advice and stuff and I'm there for them.

"I think semi-pro is one of the hardest things to coach because you get a lot of young adults who are set in their ways and they haven't learned a lot of things. And I have. I've learned everything the hard way."

So Moss has preached a family concept with his players, which he figures will let the wins and losses take care of themselves. In fact, Moss is so confident, he would like to challenge the established Racine Raiders to a game.

"My whole mission is we play together," Moss said. "If we play together, ain't no team, the Raiders or anyone else, that's going to beat us. I think the Racine Threat should play the Racine Raiders at the end of the season to see who's the best team."

The team Moss puts on display tonight is comprised mostly of former Racine high school players.

His offense features quarterback Ben Adrian (Park), running backs Greg Sanders (Park) and Mike Anderson (Horlick). The offensive line is comprised of left tackle Ron Reichel (Case), left guard Jeremy Marks (Case), center Andy Loomis (Park), right guard Erik Olson (a Park graduate who co-owns the team with Ed Possing), and right tackle Rory Coombs (Case).

The wide receivers are former Park teammates Jermaine Sorensen and Aldredo Jackson and the tight end is Derrick Wilson.

The defense is also dominated by former high school players from Racine. The defensive ends are Mike Barnes (Case) and James Herbrechtsmeier, who started on Park's 2005 WIAA Division 1 state championship. And at the tackle positions are Josh Struebing (Case) and Victor Jackson.

Darius Nunn (Park) will be at middle linebacker, with Nick Loomis (Park) and Roosevelt Watson (Horlick) on the outside. And the secondary is comprised of cornerbacks Dan Schani and Max Adrian (Park) and safeties Corey Uebele and Kerry Peterson (Horlick).

How well will this team gel? That remains to be seen. But Olson thinks he has the right man leading this young talent with Moss.

"I've been a big fan of Brent my whole life," Olson said. "I always admired his competitiveness and sportsmanship. What Brent brings to the table is just phenomenal with just his skills, where he's been … words can't say how thrilled I am to have him here."

Racine Threat schedule

Today - BOLINGBROOK BUCANEERS, 7 p.m. (Ameche Field)

Aug. 2 - at Leyden Lions, TBA

Aug. 9 -MIDSTATE STEEL, 7 p.m. (Ameche Field)

Aug. 16 - Open date

Aug. 23 - at Chicago Thunder, TBA

Sept. 6 - at Indiana Titans, TBA

Sept. 13 - NORTHERN ILLINOIS COWBOYS, 7 p.m. (Horlick Field)

Sept. 20 - at Lake County Steelers, TBA

Sept. 27 - BRADLEY PLOWMAN, 7 p.m. (Ameche Field).

Tickets - $6 adults, $2 students with an I.D, $1 kids 7-17; free for children under 6