Dominic Montero , a 2013 Marian High School graduate and former Colt football player, is staying connected to the sport.

A Tamaqua native, Montero is the owner of two professional teams in the American Indoor Football League (AIF).

Montero recently acquired both the River City Rage and the River Kings franchises. The River City Rage are based in Council Bluffs, Iowa, while the River Kings will play in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Montero, who is also a graduate of Valley Forge Military College and Peru State, has been involved in indoor football for the last several years as a player, coach and a member of the front office. Montero’s playing career included stints with the Salina Liberty and Bismarck Bucks. He also spent time coaching both the Topeka Tropics and the Omaha Beef. While coaching the Beef, he also had the role of team president.

“I am excited to bring the Cedar Rapids River Kings and the River City Rage into the American Indoor Football league,” Montero said. “Football has always been a passion of mine, and I chose Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs because these cities possess a rich football tradition and a fan base that is hungry for exciting indoor football action. I am committed to building competitive teams and creating a thrilling game-day experience for our fans.”

The Rage and River Kings will join the Corpus Christi Tritons and the West Virginia Roughriders as the first four members of the AIF.

“As we prepare to relaunch the AIF for the 2024 season, we are thrilled to introduce the first four teams that will be a part of this exciting journey,” said Commissioner John Morris in a press release. “These teams embody the spirit of indoor football, and we are confident that they will provide fans with incredible moments on the field. We can’t wait to unveil more teams and witness the level of competition and sportsmanship that the AIF is known for.

“The Cedar Rapids River Kings and the River City Rage possess great talent, dedicated fan bases, and a commitment to sportsmanship. “Dominic’s dedication to the sport and his community-oriented approach have set a high standard for others to follow. I am excited to witness their journey in the 2024 season.”

In the coming weeks, the AIF is expected to announce additional teams from various regions across the United States.