Red and Black starts season July 14

Red and Black opens 2012 season on July 14

The Watertown Red and Black will begin its 116th semipro football season by hosting the Monroe Sting on July 14 at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. The Empire Football League released its schedule Sunday.

The league will consist of nine teams this season with the addition of Monroe, and the Vermont Ice Storm, which will return from a one-year hiatus.

In addition to the season opener, Watertown will have home games against Vermont (Aug. 4), defending champion Albany (Aug. 18), Glens Falls (Sep. 15) and Syracuse (Sep. 29). The team will travel to play Syracuse (July 21), Montreal (July 28), Monroe (Aug. 11), Amsterdam (Sep. 8) and Plattsburgh (Sep. 22).

The EFL playoffs will begin on Oct. 6 and the championship game, hosted by the highest remaining seed, is scheduled for Oct. 20.