2013 Arena Football League season

Last updated
2013 Arena Football League season
League Arena Football League
Sport Arena football
DurationMarch 23, 2013 – August 17, 2013
Regular season
Season champions Arizona Rattlers
Season MVP Erik Meyer, SPO
AFL Playoffs
American Conference champions Philadelphia Soul
  American Conference runners-up Jacksonville Sharks
National Conference champions Arizona Rattlers
  National Conference runners-up Spokane Shock
ArenaBowl XXVI
Champions Arizona Rattlers
  Runners-up Philadelphia Soul
Finals MVP Rod Windsor, ARZ
AFL seasons
Usa edcp relief location map.png
ButtonViolet.svg
Gladiators
ButtonViolet.svg
Power
ButtonViolet.svg
Soul
ButtonRed.svg
Predators
ButtonRed.svg
Sharks
ButtonRed.svg
Storm
ButtonRed.svg
VooDoo
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Barnstormers
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Rush
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Talons
ButtonBlue.svg
Blaze
ButtonBlue.svg
Rattlers
ButtonBlue.svg
SaberCats
ButtonBlue.svg
Shock
American: ButtonViolet.svg East, ButtonRed.svg South
National: ButtonBlue.svg West, ButtonLightBlue.svg Central

The 2013 Arena Football League season was the 26th season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 23, 2013, with a five-game slate, the first of which to kick off being between the Utah Blaze and the Pittsburgh Power, and ended on July 27, 2013, with the Utah Blaze and Cleveland Gladiators as the last game to kick off. [1] [2] The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Philadelphia Soul by a 48–39 score in ArenaBowl XXVI to conclude the league's playoffs. [3]

Contents

League business

Teams

The league dropped to 14 teams during the offseason. The Kansas City Command ceased operations on August 23, 2012, [4] as well as the Georgia Force on October 14, 2012. [5] The Milwaukee Mustangs suspended operations for 2013, eyeing a return to play in the 2014 season. [6]

Television

It was announced on November 13, 2012, that the league had reached an agreement with CBS Sports Network to air 19 regular-season games, as well as two playoff games. The network was scheduled to air the league's "game of the week" each Saturday. The main CBS network was to televise ArenaBowl XXVI on August 17, 2013. [3]

Regular season standings

American Conference
East Division
TeamWLPCTPFPADIVCONHomeAway
(2) Philadelphia Soul 126.66710528392–26–35–47–2
Cleveland Gladiators [a] 414.22284710472–23–73–61–8
Pittsburgh Power 414.22272610142–24–81–83–6
South Division
TeamWLPCTPFPADIVCONHomeAway
(1) Jacksonville Sharks [b] 126.6679418836–011–06–36–3
(3) Orlando Predators [c] 711.38996510322–45–74–53–6
(4) Tampa Bay Storm 711.3899599802–44–62–75–4
New Orleans VooDoo 513.27883310692–44–63–62–7
National Conference
Central Division
TeamWLPCTPFPADIVCONHomeAway
(2) Chicago Rush [d] 108.5569739472–25–53–57–3
San Antonio Talons 108.5567828842–23–84–56–3
Iowa Barnstormers 612.3338279132–23–72–74–5
West Division
TeamWLPCTPFPADIVCONHomeAway
(1) Arizona Rattlers 153.83312038664–29–38–17–2
(3) Spokane Shock 144.77811988964–28–27–27–2
(4) San Jose SaberCats 135.72210338773–36–48–25–3
Utah Blaze 711.3898969881–53–84–53–6

Eight teams qualify for the playoffs: four teams from each conference, of which two are division champions and the other two have the best records of the teams remaining. [7]

Key: Conference and division champion  Division champion  Clinched playoff berth 

Tie-breakers

Playoffs

Conference Semifinals Conference Championship ArenaBowl XXVI
         
1Jacksonville69
4 Tampa Bay 62
1 Jacksonville 59
American Conference
2Philadelphia75
2Philadelphia59
3 Orlando 55
A2 Philadelphia 39
N1Arizona48
1Arizona59
4 San Jose 49
1Arizona65
National Conference
3 Spokane 57
2 Chicago 47
3Spokane69

Conference semifinals

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayHomeFinal scoreGame siteRecap
NationalAugust 110:00 p.m. EDT Chicago RushSpokane ShockSpokane, 67–49 Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena [9]
AmericanAugust 37:00 p.m. EDT Tampa Bay StormJacksonville SharksJacksonville, 69–62 Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena [10]
AmericanAugust 37:05 p.m. EDT Orlando PredatorsPhiladelphia SoulPhiladelphia, 59–55 Wells Fargo Center [11]
NationalAugust 48:00 p.m. EDT San Jose SaberCatsArizona RattlersArizona, 59–49 US Airways Center [12]

Conference championships

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayHomeFinal scoreGame siteRecap
AmericanAugust 107:00 p.m. EDT Philadelphia SoulJacksonville SharksPhiladelphia, 75–59 Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena [13]
NationalAugust 109:00 p.m. EDT Spokane ShockArizona RattlersArizona, 65–57 US Airways Center [14]

ArenaBowl XXVI

DateKickoffAwayHomeFinal scoreGame siteRecap
August 171:00 p.m. EDT Philadelphia SoulArizona RattlersArizona, 48–39 Amway Center [15]

All-Arena team

Offense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Quarterback Erik Meyer, Spokane Nick Davila, Arizona
Fullback Derrick Ross, Philadelphia Odie Armstrong, Arizona
Wide receiver Adron Tennell, Spokane
Joe Hills, Tampa Bay
Anthony Jones, Philadelphia
Rod Windsor, Arizona
Reggie Gray, Chicago
Jeron Harvey, Jacksonville
Center Brennen Carvalho, Philadelphia Billy Eisenhardt, Arizona
Offensive lineman Christian Johnson, Philadelphia
Rich Ranglin, Arizona
Michael Huey, Arizona
George Bussey, San Jose
Defense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Defensive end Joe Sykes, San Antonio
Bryan Robinson, Philadelphia
Mike Lewis, Iowa
Jerry Turner, Jacksonville
Nose guard Tim McGill, San Antonio Jason Stewart, San Jose
Middle linebacker Francis Maka, San Jose Aaron Robbins, Jacksonville
Jack linebacker Jamar Ransom, San Antonio Huey Whittaker, San Jose
Defensive back Clevan Thomas, San Jose
Virgil Gray, Arizona
Terrance Smith, Jacksonville
Rayshaun Kizer, Philadelphia
Arkeith Brown, Arizona
Fred Shaw, San Antonio
Special teams
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Kicker Garrett Lindholm, Arizona Carlos Martinez, Philadelphia
Kick returner Terrance Sanders, Spokane Dominic Jones, Orlando

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Soul</span> Arena football team

The Philadelphia Soul were a professional arena football team based in Philadelphia. They competed in the Arena Football League (AFL). The Soul made five ArenaBowl appearances, winning their first appearance and losing their next two appearances. The Soul won in their fourth appearance, against the Rattlers in 2016, winning 56–42. They also won in their fifth appearance in 2017 against the Tampa Bay Storm, winning 44–40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Jose SaberCats</span> Arena football team

The San Jose SaberCats were a professional arena football team based in San Jose, California. The SaberCats had been members of the Arena Football League (AFL) since 1995 ; and until 2015, they belonged to the AFL's National Conference. Over nineteen seasons of play, the SaberCats emerged as one of the Arena Football League's most successful franchises; at the conclusion of the 2015 season, the SaberCats boasted a lifetime regular season record of 198–98. Moreover, the SaberCats had won a total of four AFL Championships. Their lifetime postseason record stood at 19–12.

Nick Davila is an arena football quarterback who is currently a free agent. A three-time AFL champion, and three-time MVP, he also played for the Arizona Rattlers from 2010 to 2016. Davila is of Mexican American descent. He is nicknamed the "Latin Laser". In 2017, he was the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL), who went on to win the 2017 United Bowl.

The 2011 Arena Football League season was the 24th season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 11, 2011 and ended on July 23, 2011. The Jacksonville Sharks, in their second year of existence, defeated the Arizona Rattlers 73–70 in ArenaBowl XXIV on August 12, 2011 to conclude the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Arena Football League season</span> Sports season

The 2012 Arena Football League season was the 25th season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 9, 2012 with a game between the Pittsburgh Power and the Orlando Predators and ended on July 22, 2012 with a game between the Utah Blaze and Philadelphia Soul. The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Philadelphia Soul by a 72–54 score in ArenaBowl XXV on August 10, 2012 to conclude the playoffs.

The 2013 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 26th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League, and their 22nd in the Tampa Bay area. The team was coached by Dave Ewart and played their home games at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Storm lost their last seven regular season games but were still able to qualify for the playoffs. However, they were eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Jacksonville Sharks by a score of 69–62.

The 2013 Orlando Predators season was the 22nd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Doug Plank and played their home games at Amway Center. Despite losing their first five games, the Predators recovered enough to qualify for the playoffs. However, they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Soul by a score of 59–55 in the conference semifinals.

The 2013 Jacksonville Sharks season was the fourth season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. After winning the South Division for the fourth consecutive year, the Sharks were eliminated in the conference championship game by the Philadelphia Soul for the second straight year.

The 2013 Philadelphia Soul season was the eighth season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Clint Dolezel and played their home games at the Wells Fargo Center. The Soul captured another division championship, and went on to reach the ArenaBowl for the second consecutive season. However, they were once again defeated by the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVI by a 48–39 score.

The 2013 Pittsburgh Power season was the third season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Derek Stingley and played their home games at the Consol Energy Center.

The 2013 Chicago Rush season was the 12th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Bob McMillen and played their last few home games at BMO Harris Bank Center. The team's first five home games were played at Allstate Arena. The Rush won their division with a 10–8 record, but fell in the conference semifinals by a 69–47 score to the Spokane Shock.

The 2013 San Antonio Talons season was the 13th season for the franchise, the fourth in the Arena Football League, and the second in San Antonio, Texas. The team was coached by Lee Johnson and played their home games at the Alamodome. Finishing the season with a 10–8 record, the Talons missed the playoffs by losing a tiebreaker with the Chicago Rush. They also finished the season with 9 different quarterbacks, 6 of them getting injured.

The 2013 Arizona Rattlers season was the 22nd season for the franchise Arena Football League, coming off of their victory in ArenaBowl XXV. The team was coached by Kevin Guy and played their home games at the US Airways Center. With a 15–3 record, the Rattlers won their fourth consecutive division title to qualify for the playoffs. The Rattlers successfully defended their championship in ArenaBowl XXVI by once again defeating the Philadelphia Soul by a 48–39 score to win their fourth ArenaBowl championship in franchise history.

The 2013 San Jose SaberCats season was the 17th season for the franchise Arena Football League (AFL). The team was coached by Darren Arbet and played their home games at the SAP Center at San Jose. The SaberCats qualified for the playoffs with a 13–5 record, but were eliminated by the top seeded Arizona Rattlers in the conference semifinals by a 59–49 score.

The 2013 Spokane Shock season was the eighth season for the franchise, and the fourth in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Andy Olson and played their home games at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. With a 14–4 record in the regular season, the Shock qualified for the playoffs. However, they were defeated by the Arizona Rattlers in the conference championship game by a 65–57 score.

The 2013 Utah Blaze season was the seventh season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ron James and played their home games at EnergySolutions Arena. The Blaze missed the playoffs by finishing with a 7–11 record.

The 2014 Arena Football League season was the 27th season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 14, 2014 and ended on July 26, 2014.

The 2014 Arizona Rattlers season was the 23rd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League, coming off their victory in ArenaBowl XXVI, which was their second consecutive ArenaBowl championship. The team was coached by Kevin Guy and played their home games at the US Airways Center.

The 2015 San Jose SaberCats season was the team's 19th in San Jose, California. The team was coached by Darren Arbet and played their home games at the SAP Center at San Jose. They finished first in the Pacific Division with a 17–1 regular season record and went on to defeat the Jacksonville Sharks 68–47 in ArenaBowl XXVIII.

The 2016 Arena Football League season was the 29th season in the history of the Arena Football League. Prior to the start of the season, the league contracted to eight teams. The 16-game regular season then began on April 1, 2016 and ended on August 1, 2016. The league, however, kept its eight-team playoff format, which meant that every club qualified for the postseason.

References

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  2. "2013 AFL Schedule" (PDF). Arena Football League. November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.[ dead link ]
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  4. "Kansas City Command bows out; new team forms in new league – Kansas City Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. August 23, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  5. "Force Fold". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 14, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  6. "Milwaukee's AFL franchise announces that it will go dormant for the 2013 season". Milwaukee Mustangs. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  7. "Playoff Qualification, Selection of Teams". Arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  8. "Week 19 AFL Playoff Scenarios (Updated 7/26, 4:15 PM)". Arenafan.com. July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  9. "Shock hold off the Rush in 69-47 win". Spokane Shock. Arenafan.com. August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  10. "Sharks Cap Incredible Comeback with 69-62 Win Over Storm". Jacksonville Sharks. Arenafan.com. August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  11. "Soul defeat Predators to advance, 59-55". Philadelphia Soul. Arenafan.com. August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  12. "SaberCats Fall 59-49 to Rattlers in Close One in the Desert". San Jose SaberCats. Arenafan.com. August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  13. "Sharks Fall to Soul in Conference Championship, 75-59". Jacksonville Sharks. Arenafan.com. August 10, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  14. "Shock fall to the defending champs 65-57". Spokane Shock. Arenafan.com. August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  15. Jeff Sims (August 17, 2013). "Rattlers Repeat as ArenaBowl Champs". Arenafan.com. Retrieved August 18, 2013.