It’s starting to come together for the Rocky Mountain Renegades.

And coming together means a decided home field and 32 newly signed players.

Rocky Mountain Renegades, the Castle Rock-based football team in the North American Football League, committed 31 players to its inaugural roster during a signing party at the Fowl Line in Castle Rock. While more players are expected to sign between now and the start of the Renegades’ season in May, the roster includes 10 players from Aurora, three from Parker and the rest from Castle Rock.

John Byrd, one of the team’s players and one of its ownership families, said he wants to keep the roster at around 40. More than 40 players means it would be tough to get everyone time on the field.

In addition to the roster, the Renegades have found a home. Byrd said the team’s home games will be played at Castle View High School’s turf in Castle Rock. The sideline staff for the Renegades also continues to grow, even though the operation still is seeking coaches.

Dave MacDonald has been added to the team as its offensive coordinator, and Terry Mares will serve as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

Based on what he has seen at tryouts, MacDonald said the team should have plenty of size and strength, and given its beef, will be fast.

As an offensive coordinator of a team in a community-built football league in western New York, MacDonald developed an offensive system which he feels the players signed to the team thus far should fit. He said in his final two seasons in New York, the team went undefeated.

Heart is the most important quality MacDonald is hoping to see from the 32-strong thus far.

“If you don’t have the heart, you have nothing,” he said.

Mares, who is from another one of the Renegades’ ownership families, said heart also was something he looked for from the team’s hopefuls during tryouts.

“I want guys who just want to play and are eager to learn,” said Mares, who has years of coaching youth and other levels of football. “I expect them to be motivated, go above and beyond, and learn what we’re teaching them.

“I’m used to winning. I want to win. If they are willing to learn, I’m willing to teach. They don’t want to learn, then they don’t play.”

From the already signed players, Mares estimates the team’s defensive linemen should average 300-plus pounds in a 3-5-3 system. The rest of the defensive strength will come from the backfield and what he calls his “dogs,” or linebackers.

Come the Renegades season home opener, Mares is most excited to see the turn-out from Castle Rock and surrounding communities. He wants to see the stands at Castle View High School’s football field filled at the home opener at 3 p.m. May 15 against the Colorado Havoc.

“We’re the home team,” Mares said. “As far as I know, no other community this size in Colorado has its own football team like this. They should come out and support and have a good time.

“We’re just trying to provide opportunities for the players in this area.”

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Renegades, visit the team’s Web site at www.rockymountainrenegades.com. Contact information is available on the site for persons interested in applying for a coaching position.