2014 Arena Football League season

Last updated
2014 Arena Football League season
League Arena Football League
Sport Arena football
DurationMarch 14, 2014 – August 23, 2014
Regular season
Season champions Cleveland Gladiators
Season MVP Nick Davila, ARZ
League postseason
American Conference champions Cleveland Gladiators
  American Conference runners-up Orlando Predators
National Conference champions Arizona Rattlers
  National Conference runners-up San Jose SaberCats
ArenaBowl XXVII
Champions Arizona Rattlers
  Runners-up Cleveland Gladiators
Finals MVP Nick Davila, ARZ
AFL seasons
Usa edcp relief location map.png
ButtonViolet.svg
Barnstormers
ButtonViolet.svg
Gladiators
ButtonViolet.svg
Power
ButtonViolet.svg
Soul
ButtonRed.svg
Predators
ButtonRed.svg
Sharks
ButtonRed.svg
Storm
ButtonRed.svg
VooDoo
ButtonBlue.svg
SaberCats
ButtonBlue.svg
Shock
ButtonBlue.svg
Thunder
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Kiss
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Rattlers
ButtonLightBlue.svg
Talons
class=notpageimage|
American: ButtonViolet.svg East, ButtonRed.svg South
National: ButtonBlue.svg Pacific, ButtonLightBlue.svg West

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.

Contents

League business

Teams

The city of Anaheim, California was awarded an expansion team on August 15, 2013. The team, named the Los Angeles Kiss, was the first AFL team to call Los Angeles home since the Los Angeles Avengers in 2008. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, members of the rock band Kiss, were the owners of the expansion franchise. [1]

Two teams that competed in 2013 suspended operations, (Chicago Rush & Utah Blaze) and their rosters were dispersed throughout the league during a dispersal draft on September 6, 2013. [2]

The Milwaukee Mustangs sold their league membership to Terry Emmert, who then started a new franchise in Portland, Oregon named the Portland Thunder. [3]

Television

On December 17, 2013 it was announced that ESPN had agreed to a multi-year deal in televising several games, including the ArenaBowl. Additionally, at least 75 games during the season were to be aired on ESPN3, the network's online streaming service. ESPN had owned an equity interest in the former league organization prior to its bankruptcy, and had previously aired games as recently as the 2008 season, prior to the league's hiatus that resulted in the canceled 2009 season. [4]

Realignment

With teams expanding, relocating and suspending operations, the AFL announced the divisional alignment for 2014 on October 29, 2013. The two conferences had an even number of teams, and were placed in two divisions. [5]

ConferenceDivisionTeams
American East Cleveland Gladiators, Iowa Barnstormers, Philadelphia Soul, Pittsburgh Power
South Jacksonville Sharks, New Orleans VooDoo, Orlando Predators, Tampa Bay Storm
National Pacific Portland Thunder, San Jose SaberCats, Spokane Shock
West Arizona Rattlers, Los Angeles Kiss, San Antonio Talons

Regular season standings

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. [6]

Tie-breakers

Playoffs

Conference Semifinals Conference Championship ArenaBowl XXVII
         
1Cleveland39
4 Philadelphia 37
1Cleveland56
American Conference
2 Orlando 46
2Orlando56
3 Pittsburgh 48
A1 Cleveland 32
N1Arizona72
1Arizona52
4 Portland 48
1Arizona72
National Conference
2 San Jose 56
2San Jose55
3 Spokane 28

Conference semifinals

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
AmericanAugust 27:00 p.m. EDT Philadelphia Soul37–39Cleveland Gladiators Quicken Loans Arena [7]
NationalAugust 210:00 p.m. EDT Spokane Shock28–55San Jose SaberCats SAP Center at San Jose [8]
AmericanAugust 32:00 p.m. EDT Pittsburgh Power48–56Orlando Predators CFE Arena [9]
NationalAugust 36:00 p.m. EDT Portland Thunder48–52Arizona Rattlers US Airways Center [10]

Conference finals

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
AmericanAugust 103:00 p.m. EDT Orlando Predators46–56Cleveland Gladiators Quicken Loans Arena [11]
NationalAugust 108:00 p.m. EDT San Jose SaberCats56–72Arizona Rattlers US Airways Center [12]

ArenaBowl XXVII

DateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
August 238:00 p.m. EDT Arizona Rattlers72–32Cleveland Gladiators Quicken Loans Arena

All-Arena team

Offense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Quarterback Nick Davila, Arizona Shane Austin, Cleveland
Fullback Derrick Ross, Philadelphia Mykel Benson, San Antonio
Wide receiver Marco Thomas, Iowa
Rod Windsor, Arizona
Dominick Goodman, Cleveland 		Greg Carr, Orlando
Darius Reynolds, Iowa
Donovan Morgan, Los Angeles
Center Antonio Narcisse, Pittsburgh Shannon Breen, Cleveland
Offensive lineman Rich Ranglin, San Jose
Michael Huey, Arizona 		Colin Madison, Pittsburgh
Wayne Tribue, Philadelphia
Defense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Defensive end James Ruffin, Spokane
Ted Jennings, Philadelphia 		Cliff Dukes, Arizona
Mike Lewis, Iowa
Nose guard Jason Stewart, San Jose Willie McGinnis, Cleveland
Middle linebacker Beau Bell, Los Angeles Francis Maka, San Jose
Jack linebacker Tanner Varner, Orlando Bryce Peila, Portland
Defensive back Marquis Floyd, Arizona
Varmah Sonie, Portland
Marrio Norman, Cleveland 		Cameron McGlenn, New Orleans
Kelvin Rodgers, San Antonio
Rayshaun Kizer, Philadelphia
Special teams
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Kicker Nich Pertuit, San Jose Julian Rauch, Pittsburgh
Kick returner Terrance Sanders, Spokane Larry Beavers, New Orleans

Related Research Articles

The Tampa Bay Storm were a professional arena football team based in Tampa, Florida, US. It played in the Arena Football League (AFL). Originally the team was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and operated as the Pittsburgh Gladiators. The franchise was one of the original four that launched the Arena Football League for its inaugural season in 1987. The club was relocated to Tampa Bay area for the 1991 season, being the last of the original teams to either fold or leave its market. After 26 years in the Tampa market, the team ceased operations in December, 2017.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Brackins</span> American football player (born 1982)

Larry Brackins is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pearl River Community College. Brackins has also been a member of the New York Jets, New York Sentinels, Philadelphia Soul, Dallas Vigilantes, Orlando Predators and Cleveland Gladiators.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Summers</span> American football player (born 1988)

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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. The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Philadelphia Soul by a 48–39 score in ArenaBowl XXVI to conclude the league's playoffs.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Kiss</span> Arena football team

The Los Angeles Kiss were a short-lived professional arena football team based in Anaheim, California, and members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The Kiss joined the AFL as an expansion team after Los Angeles' previous franchise did not return as a part of Arena Football 1. The team's ownership was a group of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, members of rock band Kiss, as well as their manager Doc McGhee. The team played its home games at the Honda Center in nearby Anaheim, which they shared with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. The team was featured in the AMC series 4th and Loud.

The 2014 Los Angeles Kiss season was the franchise's first season in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team was coached by Bob McMillen and played their home games at the Honda Center.

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References

  1. ↑ "Arena Football League, KISS Bring Pro Football Back to Los Angeles". Arena Football League. August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-02-09. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  2. ↑ Richard Obert (September 7, 2013). "Rattlers bolster pass rush with addition of Alex Magee in dispersal draft Friday". www.azcentral.com. azcentral.com. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  3. ↑ Don Walker (October 2, 2013). "Milwaukee Mustangs bound for Portland". www.jsonline.com. Journal Sentinel, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ "ESPN Acquires Rights to Arena Football Starting in 2014". arenafootball.com. Arena Football League. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ "With Rush gone, AFL sets realignment for 2014 season". www.dailyherald.com. Paddock Publications, Inc. October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Playoff Qualification, Selection of Teams". Arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Gladiators Beat Soul on Last Play, Again". Cleveland Gladiators. Arenafan.com. August 3, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  8. ↑ Aseltine, Griffin (August 3, 2014). "San Jose Shocks Spokane in Playoff Blowout, 55-28". Arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ Sims, Jeff (August 4, 2014). "Morris and KEEFENSE Surge Power". Arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  10. ↑ Loeschman, Matt (August 4, 2014). "Snakes alive -- Floyd interception saves Rattlers' season". Arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ Rosenblum, Jonah (August 10, 2014). "Steady Gladiators Best Orlando, Advance to ArenaBowl". Arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ Loeschman, Matt (August 11, 2014). "Rattlers show championship form in dominating Cats". Arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
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