2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks season | |
---|---|
Owner | J. Michael Loomis |
General manager | J. Michael Loomis |
Head coach | Willie Davis Jr. |
Home field | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum |
Results | |
Record | 6–4 |
League place | 3rd |
Playoff finish | Lost CIFL Semifinals 24–25 (Wolfpack) |
The 2010 Fort Wayne Firehawks season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. In November 2009, the FireHawks were announced as the successor team to the Fort Wayne Freedom. [1] Owners J. Michael Loomis and John Christner purchased the assets left from the Freedom franchise, who had played the two seasons before the FireHawks were announced. [1] Christner's first action as General Manager was naming former Freedom head coach Willie Davis as the team's first head coach. [2] On December 9, 2009, it was confirmed that Loomis and Christner would take over the entities that used to run the Freedom. [3] Before the season started, the team announced they had signed Katie Hnida as the team's placekicker. Hnida is best known for becoming the first woman to score a point in an NCAA football game and speaking out during the recruiting scandal at her first school, the University of Colorado. [4]
According to The Journal Gazette in 2011, former players said they were still owed from the 2010 season. Team owner Mike Loomis did not confirm or deny the reports in that article. [5] The team drew about 2,000 fans per game, according to CIFL stats.
Position | Player | 2009 team |
---|---|---|
QB | Kota-Carone Colors | Fort Wayne Freedom |
DB | Terry Moore | Milwaukee Bonecrushers |
WR | Justin Wynn | Fort Wayne Freedom |
WR | Mike Tatum | Marion Mayhem |
DB | Jesse Allen | Erie RiverRats |
WR | Chris Kolokithas | Erie RiverRats |
DE | Thomas McKenzie | Marion Mayhem |
DB | Bryan Williams | Marion Mayhem |
OL | Anthony Harrison | Fort Wayne Freedom |
OL/DL | Al Fertil | Fort Wayne Freedom |
DL/DL | Brodrick Johnson | Fort Wayne Freedom |
2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks roster | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
| Reserve lists
Practice squad
Updated June 19, 2010 rookies in italics |
2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks staff | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
Head coaches
| Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game site | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final score | Team record | |||||||
1 | Bye | |||||||
2 | Bye | |||||||
3 | Bye | |||||||
4 | April 2 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Cincinnati Commandos | L 27–55 | 0–1 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
5 | April 10 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Miami Valley Silverbacks | W 44–28 | 1–1 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
6 | April 16 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 0–49 | 1–2 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
7 | April 24 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Chicago Cardinals | W 69–45 | 2–2 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
8 | May 1 | 7:00 p.m. CST | at Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 32–33 | 2–3 | Hartmeyer Ice Arena | ||
9 | May 9 | 1:00 P.M. EDT | Miami Valley Silverbacks | W 26–8 | 3–3 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
10 | May 15 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | at Marion Mayhem | W 2–0 (Forfeit) | 4–3 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | ||
11 | May 22 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | at Cincinnati Commandos | L 46–49 | 4–4 | Cincinnati Gardens | ||
12 | May 28 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Marion Mayhem | W 2–0 (Forfeit) | 5–4 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
13 | June 5 | 7:00 P.M. CST | at Chicago Cardinals | W 48–0 | 6–4 | Odeum Expo Center | ||
14 | Bye |
Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | PF (Avg.) | PA (Avg.) | STK | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati Commandos-y | 9 | 1 | 0 | .900 | 493 | 294 | 49.3 | 29.4 | L1 | ||
Wisconsin Wolfpack-x | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | 345 | 213 | 34.5 | 21.3 | W3 | ||
Fort Wayne FireHawks-x | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | 294 | 267 | 36.75 | 33.375 | W2 | ||
Miami Valley Silverbacks-x | 4 | 6 | 0 | .400 | 309 | 354 | 34.33 | 39.33 | W1 | ||
Marion Mayhem | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 202 | 193 | 33.67 | 32.16 | L5 | ||
Chicago Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 0 | .000 | 205 | 525 | 20.5 | 52.5 | L10 |
The FireHawks suffered a loss in their first game as a franchise April 2, 2010, a 55–27 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos. [6] During the game, the FireHawks also lost their quarterback, Adam Gibson, during the game, leaving the FireHawks searching for another quarterback before the next week. [7]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commandos | 13 | 29 | 0 | 13 | 55 |
FireHawks | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
The FireHawks earned their first victory April 10, 2010, 44–28 against the Miami Valley Silverbacks, as new quarterback, Kota Carone-Colors, paced the team with seven touchdown passes. [8]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Silverbacks | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 28 |
FireHawks | 20 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 44 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Throughout the season the team experienced many ups and downs, none lower than a 0–49 defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Wolfpack. [9] Three weeks into the season, the FireHawks received a blow, when co-owner and general manager John Christner left the organization, leaving Loomis as the sole owner. [10]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wolfpack | 16 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 49 |
FireHawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Game information | ||
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|
The FireHawks' showed no effects from the front office problems, as the following week the team came out and defeated the Chicago Cardinals 69–45, but the team played without Hnida, as a blood clot on her foot put her out for the season. [11]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 14 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 45 |
FireHawks | 6 | 29 | 6 | 28 | 69 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Game information | ||
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|
The FireHawks got a quick chance at revenge against the Wolfpack, but they failed losing 32–33 as they couldn't score from the 1-yard line with seconds left, as backup quarterback, Mike Whitaker's pass sailed over the hands of Jermaine Woolfolk. The FireHawks didn't dress a kicker during the game, citing "low ceilings" as the reason not to dress the team's new kicker, David McLane, an intern for the team. [12]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FireHawks | 6 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 32 |
Wolfpack | 6 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
at Hartmeyer Arena, Madison, Wisconsin
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
The FireHawks won their next game against Miami Valley, 26–8. [13]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Silverbacks | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
FireHawks | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 26 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
During the week before the team's first game at the Marion Mayhem, Loomis stated that the team would continue to play despite its mounting financial struggles. [14] The Mayhem, who were having financial problems of their own, forced the FireHawks next game back to June 12. [15]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FireHawks | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Mayhem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at (forfeit, game was not played)
Game information |
---|
|
The FireHawks continued their season the following week against the undefeated Commandos, losing 46–49 after leading by 12 with 4:12 left in the game. [16]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FireHawks | 12 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 46 |
Commandos | 7 | 14 | 6 | 22 | 49 |
at Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
The team was scheduled to the Mayhem the next week, but before they played the FireHawks the franchise folded. [17] The folding of Marion credited the FireHawks with two forfeit wins, but hurt the team financially by costing them a home game. [18] Because the Mayhem didn't finish the season, several of Marion's players were signed by Fort Wayne in the subsequent weeks to join in the FireHawks' playoff run. [19]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mayhem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
FireHawks | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Game information |
---|
|
The FireHawks went to Chicago and shutout the Cardinals 48–0. [20] The FireHawks finished 6–4 during the 2010 Continental Indoor Football League season, earning a third-seed in the playoffs. [21]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FireHawks | 14 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 48 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game site | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final score | Team record | |||||
1 | June 19 | 7:00 p.m. CST | at Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 24-25 | 0-1 | Hartmeyer Ice Arena |
In the first playoff game in team history, the FireHawks lost to the second-place Wolfpack, 25–24. [22]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FireHawks | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 24 |
Wolfpack | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 25 |
at Hartmeyer Arena, Madison, Wisconsin
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Player | Comp. | Att. | Comp% | Yards | TD's | INT's | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kota-Carone Colors | 71 | 155 | 45.8% | 694 | 14 | 9 | 92.3 |
Mike Whitaker | 14 | 35 | 40% | 144 | 3 | 2 | 83.9 |
Ean Decker | 5 | 14 | 35.7% | 30 | 0 | 1 | 4.8 |
Adam Gibson | 4 | 14 | 28.6% | 43 | 1 | 0 | 89.2 |
Player | Car. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kota-Carone Colors | 42 | 235 | 5.4 | 4 | 28 |
Justin Wynn | 12 | 115 | 9.0 | 2 | 33 |
Brandon Williams | 18 | 87 | 4.2 | 3 | 23 |
Victor Tolbert | 18 | 73 | 4.1 | 2 | 14 |
Tramaine Billie | 12 | 34 | 2.8 | 6 | 7 |
Player | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Wynn | 25 | 358 | 14.3 | 8 | 45 |
Zach Rainey | 21 | 162 | 7.7 | 1 | 25 |
Brandon Walker-Roby | 19 | 124 | 6.5 | 2 | 19 |
Jermaine Woolfolk | 11 | 109 | 9.9 | 3 | 29 |
1st Team All-CIFL
2nd Team All-CIFL
The Fort Wayne Freedom was a professional indoor football team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) was an indoor football league based along the Midwestern United States region that played nine seasons from 2006 to 2014. It began play in April 2006 as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL). It was formed by Jeff Spitaleri, his brother Eric, and a third member, Cory Trapp, all from the Canton, Ohio, area.
The Marion Mayhem were a professional indoor football team based in Marion, Ohio. The team was a charter member of the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL), later renamed the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), joining in 2006 as an expansion team. The Mayhem were the first professional indoor football team to be based in Marion, but were the second pro football team to be based in the area since the NFL's Oorang Indians. The team folded during the 2010 season due to financial problems. The Owners of the Mayhem were Michael Burtch and Stanley Jackson. They played their home games at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Marion, Ohio.
The West Michigan ThunderHawks were an indoor football team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The team was most recently a member of the Indoor Football League. From their inception in 2007 until 2009, the ThunderHawks were known as the Muskegon Thunder and played at L.C. Walker Arena. In 2010, the team moved to Grand Rapids, MI. This is where the downfall of the team took place. The season started off hopeful with a 5–2 record. After week 7 the players were promised money at a later date as long as they played. Starting in 2010, the ThunderHawks played their home games at the DeltaPlex Arena, in nearby Walker, Michigan. The Thunderhawks did not field a team in 2011.
The CIFL championship game was the annual championship game of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). In 2006, it was the meeting of the two semifinal game winners. Following the 2007 and 2008 season, the game was between the Great Lakes Division champion and the Atlantic Division champion. In 2009 the league was divided into an East and West Division.
The Wheeling Wildcats were a professional indoor football team located in Wheeling, West Virginia. The team began play in the Continental Indoor Football League during the 2009 season as an expansion team. The Wildcats were the second indoor football team to be based in Wheeling. The team filled the void left by the demise of the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, who played their final down of football in 2007. The owner of the Wildcats was Dave Bender. The Wildcats played their home games at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.
The Wisconsin Wolfpack was an American football franchise based in Wisconsin. The Wolfpack name and brand was used for two teams: an indoor football team in the Continental Indoor Football League and a traditional (outdoor) football team in the Mid Continental Football League.
The Fort Wayne FireHawks were a professional indoor football team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The team joined the Continental Indoor Football League as an expansion team during the 2010 season. The FireHawks were the fourth attempt at indoor football in Fort Wayne after the original Fort Wayne Freedom, Fort Wayne Fusion, and the second Fort Wayne Freedom. The Owner of the FireHawks was Championship Sports Enterprises LLC. The FireHawks played their home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The 2010 Continental Indoor Football League season was the league's fifth overall season. The regular season started on Saturday March 13 with the expansion Cincinnati Commandos defeating the Miami Valley Silverbacks 38-32, and ended with the 2010 CIFL Championship Game, on June 26, 2010, at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio where the Commandos defeated the Wisconsin Wolfpack 54-40.
The 2011 Continental Indoor Football League season was the league's sixth overall season. The regular season started on Saturday, February 26, with the expansion Port Huron Predators defeating the expansion Indianapolis Enforcers 69-12, and ended with the 2011 CIFL Championship Game on June 11, 2011, at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Cincinnati Commandos defeated the Marion Blue Racers 44-29 to clinch their second consecutive CIFL Championship.
The 2010 Cincinnati Commandos season was the 1st season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. The Commandos were able to finish the season with a 9–1 record, and qualified for the playoffs as the 1st seed, where they went on to defeat the Wisconsin Wolfpack in the CIFL Championship Game.
The 2010 Chicago Cardinals season was the third season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise, but the team's first as the Chicago Cardinals after relocating from Milwaukee where they were known as the Milwaukee Bonecrushers. The Cardinals were able to finish the season with an 0-10 record, and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Cardinals replaced the Slaughter in the CIFL, after the Slaughter left that league for the IFL due to a dispute with CIFL management. The Cardinals were formerly known as the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, also of the CIFL, and relocated to Villa Park in 2010. The Cardinals use their name with permission from the original National Football League team, now known as the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2010 Marion Mayhem season was the fifth season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise, and the team's last season, as they would fail to be able to finish the season, and forfeit their last 4 games of the 2010 season. On December 24, 2009, team announced their intentions to move the Mayhem franchise to Columbus, Ohio and become the Columbus Aces before the season, citing a lack of attendance as the reason for the move. The move fell through, and the team played the 2010 season in Marion. After starting the season 3-3, the Mayhem folded, rewarding the teams that had yet to play them with victories.
The 2010 Miami Valley Silverbacks season was the fifth season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. The 2010 Silverbacks announced they will continue play in the CIFL as a full travel squad. The team named former Cincinnati Swarm (af2), Louisville Fire (af2) and Cincinnati Marshals (NIFL) assistant Brian Wells as head coach. The 2010 Silverbacks finished the regular season with, at the time, the best winning percentage in team history (.400) and their second ever playoff berth. Wells was awarded CIFL Co-Coach of the year along with Commandos Head Coach Billy Back. The Silverbacks were eliminated in the first round by the eventual CIFL Champion Cincinnati Commandos.
The 2010 Wisconsin Wolfpack season was the second season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. For 2010, the Wolfpack chose to move its home games to the Hartmeyer Arena on the northeast side of Madison. 2010 also saw the team stock its roster with more players from the nearby Wisconsin Badgers football program. Joining defensive lineman Kurt Ware and linebacker James Kamoku from the 2009 Wolfpack would be tight end Andy Crooks, safety Josh Nettles, defensive lineman Ricky Garner, offensive lineman Kenny Jones and, following a season-ending injury to quarterback Brian Ryczkowski, Matt Schabert. Under Schabert's guidance, the Wolfpack had its most successful season to date, indoor or outdoor, finishing the regular season 8-2 and becoming the only team to defeat the then-undefeated Cincinnati Commandos. The Wolfpack would win its first-ever home playoff game, beating the Fort Wayne FireHawks, 25-24, before falling to the Commandos in the 2010 CIFL Championship Game, 54-40, in Cincinnati.
The 2011 Indianapolis Enforcers season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.
Mike Anthony Tatum is an American football coach who is the head coach and offensive coordinator for the Omaha Beef of the National Arena League (NAL). He is former indoor American football wide receiver for the Nebraska Danger, Bismarck Bucks, and the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Oxnard College. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Marion Mayhem in 2009. He played with the Mayhem until their disbanding during the 2010 season. Tatum then finished the 2010 season with the Fort Wayne FireHawks. Tatum then returned to Marion in 2011, when a new franchise called the Marion Blue Racers expanded into the CIFL. Tatum has also played for the Everett Raptors of the IFL.
Bryan Williams is a former American football defensive back. He played college football at the University of Akron.
Thomas "T.J." McKenzie is a former indoor football defensive lineman.
The 2009 Marion Mayhem season was the fourth season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. The Mayhem finished the regular season with a 9-3 record in 2009. This was good enough to earn them the 2009 CIFL East Division Regular Season Title and the opportunity to host the East Division Championship Game. This was the third season in a row the Mayhem made the playoffs. Their opponent in the East Division Championship Game was the Fort Wayne Freedom (6-5). Coming into the game the Freedom had been experiencing money problems and up until three days before the East Division Championship Game the Freedom still were not sure they were going to show up in Marion. But when game time came the Freedom, whom brought a smaller than usual roster that had not practiced regularly for a couple of weeks, played with more heart and determination then the Mayhem and won 49-40.