2016 Arena Football League season

2016 Arena Football League season
2016 Arena Football League season
League	Arena Football League
Sport	Arena football
Duration	April 1, 2016 – August 26, 2016
Regular season
Season MVP	Nick Davila, ARZ
League postseason
American Conference champions	Philadelphia Soul
American Conference runners-up	Jacksonville Sharks
National Conference champions	Arizona Rattlers
National Conference runners-up	Cleveland Gladiators
ArenaBowl XXIX
Champions	Philadelphia Soul
Runners-up	Arizona Rattlers
Finals MVP	Shaun Kauleinamoku, PHI
AFL seasons
	← 2015 2017 →

Last updated January 19, 2025

Predators

Sharks

Soul

Storm

Gladiators

Kiss

Rattlers

Steel

class=notpageimage|

National, American

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.

League business

Teams

The Las Vegas Outlaws and the New Orleans VooDoo were dropped from the league at the end of the 2015 season because new ownership groups could not be found for either team. The Spokane Shock jumped to the Indoor Football League on September 1, 2015.^[1] The AFL claimed ownership of the Shock name, forcing the team to rename itself the Spokane Empire.^[2] On October 30, 2015, the league announced that there would not be any expansion teams for the 2016 season; this event occurred just under three hours before what had been slated to be the expected announcement of an expansion franchise in San Antonio to be owned by the ownership group of the San Antonio Spurs. The group owning the 2015 league champion San Jose SaberCats returned the franchise to the league on November 12, 2015 for "reasons unrelated to League operations". Commissioner Scott Butera said the league would try to find new ownership, but this was not forthcoming in time for the team to operate during the 2016 season to defend its championship.^[3] Because the league was now down to eight teams for the 2016 season, there were still the American and National Conferences but no divisional play. The Cleveland Gladiators were moved to the National Conference to maintain a balance between the conferences.^[4] The league took over operations of the former Portland Thunder in January 2016^[5] and rebranded it as the Portland Steel.^[6] The 2016 schedule was announced on December 10, 2015.^[7]

ArenaBowl Playoffs

All teams from both conferences qualified for the playoffs. As in the prior season, there were the Conference Semifinals, the Conference Championships, and ArenaBowl XXIX.

In the American Semifinals, the Soul beat the Storm 63–41 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Sharks beat the Predators 69–68 in overtime; the National Semifinals saw the Rattlers beat the Steel 84–40 and the Gladiators beat the Kiss 56–52 in San Diego, California.

The Rattlers doubled up the Gladiators 82–41 in the National Conference title game. In the American Conference title game, the Soul edged the Sharks by a score of 55–50.

The Philadelphia Soul upset the heavily-favored Arizona Rattlers 56–42 in ArenaBowl XXIX in Glendale, Arizona for their second AFL title.

Alignment

Conference	Teams
American	Jacksonville Sharks, Orlando Predators, Philadelphia Soul, Tampa Bay Storm
National	Arizona Rattlers, Cleveland Gladiators, Los Angeles Kiss, Portland Steel

Regular season standings

2016 American Conference standings view talk edit
Team	Overall			Points			Records
Team	W	L	PCT	PF	PA	CON	Home	Away
x-Philadelphia Soul	13	3	.813	983	776	5–1	7–1	6–2
Orlando Predators	12	4	.750	893	781	5–3	6–2	6–2
Jacksonville Sharks	7	9	.438	829	774	5–3	3–5	4–4
Tampa Bay Storm	2	14	.125	568	868	0–8	2–6	0–8

2016 National Conference standings view talk edit
Team	Overall			Points			Record
Team	W	L	PCT	PF	PA	CON	Home	Away
x-Arizona Rattlers	13	3	.813	1,068	766	8–0	8–0	5–3
Los Angeles Kiss	7	9	.438	736	748	4–4	5–4	2–5
Cleveland Gladiators	7	9	.438	826	934	2–4	4–4	3–5
Portland Steel	3	13	.188	670	926	1–7	3–4	0–9

x - Clinched conference title.

Playoffs

Conference Semifinals			Conference Championships			ArenaBowl XXIX

1	Arizona	84

4	Portland	40
			1	Arizona	82
National Conference
			3	Cleveland	41
2	Los Angeles	52

3	Cleveland	56
						N1	Arizona	42

						A1	Philadelphia	56
1	Philadelphia	63

4	Tampa Bay	41
			1	Philadelphia	55
American Conference
			3	Jacksonville	50
2	Orlando	68

3	Jacksonville	69^OT

Conference semifinals

Conference	Date	Kickoff	Away	Score	Home	Game site	Recap
American	August 6	7:00 p.m. EDT	Jacksonville Sharks	69–68 (OT)	Orlando Predators	Amway Center	^[8]
National	August 6	10:00 p.m. EDT	Portland Steel	40–84	Arizona Rattlers	Talking Stick Resort Arena	^[9]
American	August 7	6:00 p.m. EDT	Tampa Bay Storm	41–63	Philadelphia Soul	PPL Center	^[10]
National	August 7	6:00 p.m. EDT	Cleveland Gladiators	56–52	Los Angeles Kiss	Valley View Casino Center	^[11]

Conference finals

Conference	Date	Kickoff	Away	Score	Home	Game site	Recap
National	August 13	9:30 p.m. EDT	Cleveland Gladiators	41–82	Arizona Rattlers	Talking Stick Resort Arena	^[12]
American	August 14	6:00 p.m. EDT	Jacksonville Sharks	50–55	Philadelphia Soul	PPL Center	^[13]

ArenaBowl XXIX

Date	Kickoff	Away	Score	Home	Game site	Recap
August 26	7:00 PM EDT	Philadelphia Soul	56–42	Arizona Rattlers	Gila River Arena	^[14]

All-Arena team

Offense
Position	First team	Second team
Quarterback	Nick Davila, Arizona	Dan Raudabaugh, Philadelphia
Fullback	Mykel Benson, Arizona	Jeramie Richardson, Philadelphia
Wide receiver	Joe Hills, Jacksonville Rod Windsor, Arizona Brandon Thompkins, Orlando	Donovan Morgan, Los Angeles T. T. Toliver, Tampa Bay Collin Taylor, Cleveland
Center	Jordan Mudge, Arizona (tie) Joe Madsen, Cleveland (tie)	Wayne Tribue, Philadelphia
Offensive lineman	Adam Smith, Philadelphia Cornelius Lewis, Jacksonville	Neal Tivis, Philadelphia D. J. Brandel, Cleveland

Defense
Position	First team	Second team
Defensive lineman	Jake Metz, Philadelphia Damien Borel, Arizona	Teddy Jennings, Philadelphia Darryl Cato-Bishop, Orlando
Nose guard	Randy Colling, Cleveland	Dimetrio Tyson, Arizona
Middle linebacker	Tyre Glasper, Arizona	Dexter Jackson, Jacksonville
Jack linebacker	Joe Goosby, Philadelphia	Terence Moore, Orlando
Defensive back	Tracy Belton, Philadelphia Greg Reid, Jacksonville Varmah Sonie, Orlando	Dwayne Hollis, Philadelphia Marvin Ross, Cleveland Fred Obi, Los Angeles

Special teams
Position	First team	Second team
Kicker	Tommy Frevert, Philadelphia	Mark Lewis, Orlando
Kick returner	Brandon Thompkins, Orlando	Larry Beavers, Cleveland

Related Research Articles

The Arizona Rattlers are a professional indoor football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area that competes in the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team in the Arena Football League and were the third oldest active franchise in the AFL until their departure in 2016. They play their home games at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. They previously played at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

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

The Philadelphia Soul can refer to one of two successive professional arena football teams in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They both have competed in the Arena Football League (AFL). The Soul made six 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 before losing in their sixth appearance in 2019 to the Albany Empire 45-27.

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.

Larry Brackins is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Pearl River Community College. Brackins was also a member of the New York Jets, New York Sentinels, Philadelphia Soul, Dallas Vigilantes, Orlando Predators and Cleveland Gladiators.

James Beaumont "Beau" Bell is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at UNLV. Bell was also a member of the Omaha Nighthawks, Las Vegas Locomotives, Spokane Shock, BC Lions, Los Angeles Kiss, and Philadelphia Soul.

Nick Davila is an American former professional arena football quarterback who played in the Arena Football League (AFL). A four-time ArenaBowl champion, and three-time MVP, he played for the Arizona Rattlers from 2010 to 2016 and the Washington Valor in 2018. He also played for the Spokane Shock of the af2 from 2008 to 2009. Davila is of Mexican American descent, and is nicknamed the "Latin Laser".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ArenaBowl XXIV</span> Annual league championship game

ArenaBowl XXIV was the 24th edition of the championship in the Arena Football League (AFL). The American Conference champion, Jacksonville Sharks, defeated the National Conference champion, Arizona Rattlers, 73–70. It was played on August 12, 2011. The game was hosted at the site of the highest remaining seed throughout the playoffs, which was US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Rattlers.

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.

Derrick Edward Summers is a former American football defensive lineman. He played as a defensive end for the University of Toledo.

ArenaBowl XXV was the 25th edition of the championship in the Arena Football League. The National Conference champion, Arizona Rattlers, defeated the American Conference champion, Philadelphia Soul, 72–54. The game was played on August 10, 2012. It was the first ArenaBowl at a neutral site since ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, also played in New Orleans. ArenaBowl XXV was played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, home of the New Orleans VooDoo.

Wayne Luis Tribue is a former American football guard. He played college football at Temple. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2012.

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 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.

Shaun Kauleinamoku is an arena football wide receiver for the Shanghai Skywalkers of the China Arena Football League. He played collegiately at Western Oregon University. Kauleinamoku has also been member of the Spokane Shock, San Antonio Talons, Utah Blaze, Pittsburgh Power and Shanghai Skywalkers.

Antonio Narcisse is an American former professional football center. He played college football at Portland State. He was a member of the New Orleans VooDoo, Cleveland Gladiators, Spokane Shock, Utah Blaze, Iowa Barnstormers, Portland Thunder, Pittsburgh Power, Jacksonville Sharks and San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League (AFL).

The 2015 Arena Football League season was the 28th season in the history of the league. The regular season began on March 27, 2015 and ended on August 8, 2015.

The 2015 Las Vegas Outlaws season was the first and only season for the expansion franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Aaron Garcia and played their home games at Thomas & Mack Center. The Outlaws finished their inaugural season 5–12–1, with the tie being a cancelled home game against the VooDoo. Though they qualified for the playoffs, the league announced on August 9 that the Outlaws would cease operations effective immediately, and would therefore not participate in the playoffs.

ArenaBowl XXIX was the championship game of the 2016 Arena Football League season. It was played between the American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul and the National Conference Champion Arizona Rattlers. The game was played at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The 2017 Arena Football League season was the 30th season in the history of the Arena Football League (AFL). Prior to the start of the season, the league contracted to five teams. Due to this, for the first time since 1991, the league was not divided into conferences or divisions. The 14-game regular season began on April 7, 2017, when the two new teams, the Baltimore Brigade and the Washington Valor, faced off in the Verizon Center, and ended on August 5, 2017, when the Tampa Bay Storm lost against the Philadelphia Soul.

Dwayne Hollis is an American professional football defensive back. He played college football at North Carolina Wesleyan College and attended Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia. He has also been a member of the Helsinki Roosters, Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, Trenton Freedom, Shanghai Skywalkers, and Atlanta Legends.

References

↑ "IFL Announces Addition of Spokane Shock". Indoor Football League. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
↑ "AFL Issues Statement on Spokane Shock". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
↑ "AFL Issues Statement on San Jose SaberCats". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. November 12, 2015. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
↑ "AFL Announces 2016 Conference Alignment". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. October 30, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
↑ "AFL Takes over Operations of Portland Thunder". OurSportsCentral. January 6, 2016.
↑ "Portland AFL Organization Rebrands to Steel". OurSportsCentral. February 24, 2016.
↑ "Arena Football League Announces 2016 Schedule". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
↑ "Orlando Eliminated From Postseason with Overtime Loss to Jacksonville". arenafootball.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "Rattlers Advance with Huge Win over Portland 84-40". arenafootball.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "Storm Falls in First Round of AFL Postseason, Loses to Philadelphia 63-41". arenafootball.cstv.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "LA KISS Eliminated From Postseason with Loss to Cleveland". arenafootball.cstv.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "Rattlers Earn Trip to ArenaBowl XXIX with Win over Gladiators, 82-41". arenafootball.com. August 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "Soul Outlast Sharks 55-50, Advance to ArenaBowl XXIX". arenafootball.com. August 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
↑ "Soul Defeat Rattlers, 56-42, to Claim AFL Crown". arenafootball.com. August 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[shockifl-1] "IFL Announces Addition of Spokane Shock". Indoor Football League. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.

[ShockName-2] "AFL Issues Statement on Spokane Shock". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.

[SaberCats-3] "AFL Issues Statement on San Jose SaberCats". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. November 12, 2015. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.

[2016Conf-4] "AFL Announces 2016 Conference Alignment". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. October 30, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.

[5] "AFL Takes over Operations of Portland Thunder". OurSportsCentral. January 6, 2016.

[6] "Portland AFL Organization Rebrands to Steel". OurSportsCentral. February 24, 2016.

[sched-7] "Arena Football League Announces 2016 Schedule". www.arenafootballleague.com. Arena Football League. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.

[8] "Orlando Eliminated From Postseason with Overtime Loss to Jacksonville". arenafootball.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[9] "Rattlers Advance with Huge Win over Portland 84-40". arenafootball.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[10] "Storm Falls in First Round of AFL Postseason, Loses to Philadelphia 63-41". arenafootball.cstv.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[11] "LA KISS Eliminated From Postseason with Loss to Cleveland". arenafootball.cstv.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[12] "Rattlers Earn Trip to ArenaBowl XXIX with Win over Gladiators, 82-41". arenafootball.com. August 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[13] "Soul Outlast Sharks 55-50, Advance to ArenaBowl XXIX". arenafootball.com. August 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[14] "Soul Defeat Rattlers, 56-42, to Claim AFL Crown". arenafootball.com. August 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]