About Us:

My name is Derrick Johnson, a San Diego native, and the proud owner of the San Diego Thunder. I have been involved in San Diego football starting with Pop Warner to initiating a Developmental Football team. Being a sports enthusiast and a die hard football fan, I decided to match my passion in life, meeting and interacting with people and my love for the game. As a result, the Southeast Raiders was formed 9 years ago. And from the Southeast Raiders we transitioned into the San Diego Thunder in 2005. Each year the number of players increases as does the talent of the team. We play variety of teams throughout the Southwest like Las Vegas, Bakersfield, and the greater Los Angeles area. And soon we hope to play other teams throughout the country. Not only are we involved football, but we also give back to the community. We are involved in many youth intervention programs in throughout San Diego. We speak to children about dangers of drugs and promote positive thinking and lending our services to local charity events.

In all, the Thunder has reached the SWFL playoffs 4 times, LCFL West playoffs once, SWFL championship 3 times, LCFL West championship once, Southern Cal championship 3 times, and the National championship 2 times. They won the SWFL championship in 2005 when they beat the California Outlawzs 31- 19 before 350 fans at Veteran Stadium in Long Beach, CA. And in 2006 they beat the California Tide 14 – 0 before 250 fans at Glendale, CA. And in 2007 they beat the Central Coast Grizzlies 40 – 0 before 300 fans at Atascadero, CA. And in 2008 they beat the Inglewood Blackhawks 35 – 12 before 500 fans. As an honor the Thunder was invited to play in the Manatee Bowl championship in 2006, there in Fort Pierce, FL.

The San Diego Thunder became the first team in 10 years from the west coast, to win in the championship bowl weekend, a score of 19 -16 against the Conshohocken Steelers of Pennsylvania. In 2008 the San Diego Thunder became the first developmental football in San Diego history to play for a national championship, which was held at Morris Brown University in Atlanta, Georgia.