TEAM OWNER PAYS FOR HIS DEVOTION.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

ACTON -- Tim Brandon's passion shelves his social life and empties his wallet.

That's how it is for Brandon and his teammates. Players on the Santa Clarita Knights semipro football team work to play.

One of them drives an 18-wheeler, delivering shipments throughout California. One sells computers. Another polices inmates at a corrections facility. Three work at an Italian restaurant.

But they all pay to work three times a week as members of the West Coast Football League.

Each player has to pay for his own equipment.

But when a Knights player can't afford equipment and the $275 team fee each player must pay, Brandon, the team owner, is there to help.

Brandon is also the backup quarterback, but more importantly, he's the team's economic spine. He built the team last year using his own money. Brandon is still building the team and still uses his own money.

He is a server and cook at the Italian restaurant where other teammates work.

``Last year, I spent $6,000 to $7,000 from my checking account. I do get my family members to lend me money but I put most charges on my credit card. Total charges for last year and this year are almost $10,000.''

When funds are low and it's time to pay back loans, Brandon looks for construction jobs or lawn-mowing jobs he can do on days he's not cooking or playing football.

But, to the 5-foot-10, 175-pound former Vasquez High quarterback, the money and time he spends is worth it.

Brandon played his last season at Vasquez in 2002. He wanted to play at the next level, but colleges didn't come calling.

The Knights, as with many semipro teams, are designed to help players and coaches develop football skills. Some attempt to move on to play in college, the arena leagues and possibly the Canadian Football League.

Brandon started the Knights after failed arena league tryouts and a one-year stint with the Antelope Valley Dirt Devils of the semipro LeBelle Community Football League in 2004.

The Knights boast 37 former high school and junior college players -- 36 men, one woman. Some of the players, ages 18 to 35, have never played football.

They play nine regular-season games at Acton's Vasquez High School. They play four to five preseason games, some at various locations in the valley. The Knights practice for three hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Bridgeport Park in Valencia.

The Knights made their WCFL debut in August 2005 with Brandon as head coach and 23 players. The team finished 4-5-1, and Brandon won the league's owner of the year award.

Now in the team's second season, the 22-year-old quarterback wants to strap on pads again. Brandon gave the coaching position to his assistant coach and girlfriend, 21-year-old Rhonda Ripley.

The move stirred criticism among teammates and other teams.

Ripley had no coaching experience prior to working as an assistant for the Knights last year. Before that, Ripley spent the 2004 preseason playing wide receiver and defensive back for the Antelope Valley Bombers, an all-female team in the National Women's Football League.

``There were a couple of guys who had a problem listening to a female coach,'' Ripley said. ``That made me nervous when Tim (Brandon) made me head coach, but after our first preseason game, those players came up to me and told me their doubts had changed.

``I want to go out there and show that my play-calling is just as good as other coaches in this league.''