2016 West Michigan Ironmen season

Last updated
2016 West Michigan Ironmen season
OwnerTerrence Williams
Head coachTyrese Lynk
Home field L. C. Walker Arena
Results
Record6–1
Division place1st
Playoff finishWon Northern Semifinals (Freedom) 78–37
Won Northern Championship (Steelhawks) 42–35
Lost AIF Championship (Lions) 32–74

The 2016 West Michigan Ironmen season was the franchise's inaugural season and the city of Muskegon's first indoor football season since the West Michigan ThunderHawks folded following the 2009 season.

Contents

The Ironmen won their first-ever season game against the Northern Kentucky 65–27 on March 20. Head coach Tyrese Lynk led the Ironmen to a 6–1 record and birth in the 2016 AIF Championship Game where they lost 32–74 to the Columbus Lions.

Coaching staff

2016 West Michigan Ironmen staff
Front Office
  • Owner - Terrence "TJ" Williams
  • Owner - Heith Seewald
  • General Manager - currently vacant
  • Director of Football Operations - currently vacant
 

Head Coach

  • Head Coach - Tyrese Lynk

Assistant Coachescurrently vacant

Schedule

Key:   Win  Tie  Loss   Bye

Preseason

All start times are local to home team

WeekDayDateKickoffOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
1SundayMarch 63:05pm Atlanta Vultures W 63–29 [1] 1–0 L. C. Walker Arena

Regular season

All start times are local to home team

WeekDayDateKickoffOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
1 BYE
2 BYE
3SundayMarch 133:05pmat River City Raiders L 68–75 [2] 0–1 Family Arena
4SundayMarch 207:05pm Northern Kentucky Nightmare W 65–37 [3] 1–1 L. C. Walker Arena
5 BYE
6SaturdayApril 27:00pm Chicago Blitz W 34–30 [4] 2–1 L. C. Walker Arena
7SaturdayApril 97:05pm River City Raiders W 69–49 [5] 3–1 L. C. Walker Arena
8 BYE
9SaturdayApril 237:05pmCincinnati BulldogsW 73–6 [6] 4–1 L. C. Walker Arena
10SaturdayApril 307:00pm Northern Kentucky Nightmare W 55–27 [7] 5–1 L. C. Walker Arena
11SaturdayMay 77:05pmCincinnati BulldogsW 107–0 [8] 6–1 L. C. Walker Arena
12 BYE
13 BYE
14SaturdayMay 287:00pmat Chicago Blitz Cancelled Odeum Expo Center

Standings

2016 AIF Northern standings
TeamWLTPCTPFPAPF (Avg.)PA (Avg.)STK
West Michigan Ironmen 610.85747122467.332.0W6
River City Raiders 610.85739823556.933.6W3
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 620.75043023753.829.6L1
Philadelphia Yellow Jackets 430.57126616938.024.0L2
Central Penn Capitals 440.50037333846.642.3W3
Chicago Blitz 330.50023717039.528.3L1
Triangle Torch 340.42929235941.751.3L2
Winston Wildcats 350.37513930017.437.5W3
Maryland Eagles020.000191169.558.0L2
Northern Kentucky Nightmare 050.00011623623.247.2L5

Playoffs

All start times are local to home team

RoundDayDateKickoffOpponentScoreLocation
Div. SemifinalsSaturdayJune 47:05pm Myrtle Beach Freedom*W 78–37 [9] L. C. Walker Arena
Div. ChampionshipSaturdayJune 118:00pm Lehigh Valley Steelhawks W 42–35 [10] L. C. Walker Arena
AIF Championship GameSaturdayJune 187:00pmat Columbus Lions L 32–74 [11] Columbus Civic Center

*When initially announced, the Ironmen were set to play the Northern Division's fourth-seeded Central Penn Capitals. On May 30, the Capitals were replaced with the Southern Division's third-seeded Myrtle Beach Freedom.

Roster

2016 West Michigan Ironmen roster
Quarterbacks
  •  2Stephen Kulikowski

Running backs

  • 44Korey Ringer
  • 33Dakota Smith

Wide receivers

  •  9Donovan Campbell
  •  1Cornelius Johnson
  • 20Terry Mitchell
  •  4Justin Mott
  •  6Jamie Potts
Offensive linemen
  • 99Amilio Flores
  • 85Garrett Hoskins
  • 59Mario Rodriguez

Defensive linemen

  • 91Ryan Armstrong
  • 63Deonte' Cruse
  • 67Desmond Kenner
  • 52Luther Robinson Jr.
Linebackers
  • 51Stan Knappen
  • 55Korey Morrow
  •  7Derek VandenBosch

Defensive backs

  • 11Jamal Abbey
  • 21Corey Edwards
  • 24Deonte' Hurst
  • 22Erik Thompson
  • --Justin Williams

Kickers

  • Currently vacant
Injured reserve
  • Currently vacant

Transfer list

  • --Ben Hutchins RB (Exempt)

Refuse to report

  • Currently vacant

Rookies in italics
Roster updated May 4, 2016
26 Active, 1 Inactive

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References

  1. Mark Opfermann (March 6, 2016). "Johnson brothers, West Michigan Ironmen make strong showing in preseason debut". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  2. Mark Opfermann (March 13, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen drop inaugural football game on the road". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  3. Mark Opfermann (March 20, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen receiver hauls in six TD passes in home win". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  4. Mark Opfermann (April 2, 2016). "Late kickoff return for TD a game-winner for West Michigan Ironmen". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  5. Mark Opfermann (April 9, 2016). "Passing combo helps West Michigan Ironmen post arena win". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. Mark Opfermann (April 23, 2016). "Orchard View grad part of near-shutout effort by West Michigan Ironmen". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  7. Mark Opfermann (May 1, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen pick up arena football win". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  8. Mark Opfermann (May 7, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen top 100 points in arena football rout". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  9. Mark Opfermann (June 6, 2016). "Muskegon sports briefs: Ironmen, Mustangs win; Risers fall in soccer". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  10. Mark Opfermann (June 11, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen advance to league championship game". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  11. Mark Opfermann (June 19, 2016). "West Michigan Ironmen fall short in title game ended early by altercation". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 20, 2016.