2016 Arena Football League season

Last updated
2016 Arena Football League season
League Arena Football League
Sport Arena football
DurationApril 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
Usa edcp relief location map.png
ButtonRed.svg
Predators
ButtonRed.svg
Sharks
ButtonRed.svg
Soul
ButtonRed.svg
Storm
ButtonBlue.svg
Gladiators
ButtonBlue.svg
Kiss
ButtonBlue.svg
Rattlers
ButtonBlue.svg
Steel
class=notpageimage|
ButtonBlue.svg National, ButtonRed.svg 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.

Contents

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

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

Regular season standings

x - Clinched conference title.

Playoffs

Conference Semifinals Conference Championships ArenaBowl XXIX
         
1 Arizona84
4 Portland 40
1 Arizona82
National Conference
3 Cleveland 41
2 Los Angeles 52
3 Cleveland56
N1 Arizona 42
A1 Philadelphia56
1 Philadelphia63
4 Tampa Bay 41
1 Philadelphia55
American Conference
3 Jacksonville 50
2 Orlando 68
3 Jacksonville69OT

Conference semifinals

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
AmericanAugust 67:00 p.m. EDT Jacksonville Sharks69–68 (OT)Orlando Predators Amway Center [8]
NationalAugust 610:00 p.m. EDT Portland Steel40–84Arizona Rattlers Talking Stick Resort Arena [9]
AmericanAugust 76:00 p.m. EDT Tampa Bay Storm41–63Philadelphia Soul PPL Center [10]
NationalAugust 76:00 p.m. EDT Cleveland Gladiators56–52Los Angeles Kiss Valley View Casino Center [11]

Conference finals

ConferenceDateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
NationalAugust 139:30 p.m. EDT Cleveland Gladiators41–82Arizona Rattlers Talking Stick Resort Arena [12]
AmericanAugust 146:00 p.m. EDT Jacksonville Sharks50–55Philadelphia Soul PPL Center [13]

ArenaBowl XXIX

DateKickoffAwayScoreHomeGame siteRecap
August 267:00 PM EDT Philadelphia Soul56–42Arizona Rattlers Gila River Arena [14]

All-Arena team

Offense
PositionFirst teamSecond 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
PositionFirst teamSecond 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
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Kicker Tommy Frevert, Philadelphia Mark Lewis, Orlando
Kick returner Brandon Thompkins, Orlando Larry Beavers, Cleveland

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona Rattlers</span> Arena football team

The Arizona Rattlers are a professional indoor American football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of 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 Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix, but have occasionally played at Gila River Arena in neighboring Glendale when their primary home has been unavailable. The Rattlers are led by head coach Kevin Guy. Since the team's establishment in 1992, the Rattlers have won ten division titles and have played in nine ArenaBowl Championship games, winning championships in 1994, 1997, 2012, 2013, 2014. The Rattlers also won the 2017 United Bowl in their first season in the IFL.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clint Dolezel</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Clint Dolezel is an American football coach and former professional arena football player in the Arena Football League (AFL).

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beau Bell (American football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

James Beaumont "Beau" Bell is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted 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 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">Kyle Rowley</span> American football player (born 1979)

Kyle Rowley is an arena football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He also played in the former af2. He played college football at Brown.

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">ArenaBowl XXV</span> Annual league championship game

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Tribue</span> American football player (born 1990)

Wayne Luis Tribue is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Kauleinamoku</span> American football player (born 1987)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darius Reynolds</span> American football player (born 1989)

Darius Reynolds is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League (NAL). He first enrolled at Reedley College before transferring to Iowa State University. He attended C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia. Reynolds has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Iowa BarnstormersSan Jose SaberCats and Philadelphia Soul

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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Arena Football League season</span> Sports season

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwayne Hollis</span> American football player (born 1989)

Dwayne Hollis is an American football defensive back for the Albany Empire of the National Arena League (NAL). 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

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