2017 Indoor Football League season

Last updated
2017 IFL season
League Indoor Football League
Sport Indoor Football
DurationFebruary 16, 2017 – June 17, 2017
Number of teams10
Regular season
Season MVPCharles McCullum (Wichita Falls Nighthawks)
Playoffs
Intense championsArizona Rattlers
  Intense runners-upNebraska Danger
United championsSioux Falls Storm
  United runners-upIowa Barnstormers
2017 United Bowl
ChampionsArizona Rattlers
  Runners-upSioux Falls Storm
Finals MVPJustin Shirk (LB, ARI)
IFL seasons

The 2017 Indoor Football League season was the ninth season of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Playing with ten teams in two conferences spread across the midwestern and western United States, the league's regular season kicked off on February 16, 2017, when the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles hosted the Nebraska Danger. The regular season ended 18 weeks later on June 18, 2017, with the defending league champion Sioux Falls Storm visiting the Iowa Barnstormers and the Wichita Falls Nighthawks visiting the Nebraska Danger. The playoffs were held in two rounds, with the top two seeds in each conference playing against each other in the conference championships. The winner of those games met in the United Bowl. [1] [2]

Contents

Teams

For 2017, the IFL maintained its two-conference, no-divisions format, with each of the ten teams playing 16 games during the 18-week regular season. The Billings Wolves and Tri-Cities Fever announced their suspension of operations for the 2017 season, maintaining hope of a return for 2018. [3] [4] In their place, the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (owned by Project FANchise, with fans controlling every aspect of the team) were accepted into the IFL as an expansion team, [5] and the Arizona Rattlers joined the IFL after having played the last 24 seasons in the Arena Football League. [6]

TeamLocationArenaCapacityFoundedJoinedHead Coach
United Conference
Cedar Rapids Titans Cedar Rapids, Iowa U.S. Cellular Center 6,90020122012 Marvin McNutt
Green Bay Blizzard Green Bay, Wisconsin Resch Center 8,60020032010Chris Williams
Iowa Barnstormers Des Moines, Iowa Wells Fargo Arena 15,18119952015Dixie Wooten
Sioux Falls Storm Sioux Falls, South Dakota Denny Sanford Premier Center 10,67820002009Kurtiss Riggs
Wichita Falls Nighthawks Wichita Falls, Texas Kay Yeager Coliseum 7,38020132015Billy Back
Intense Conference
Arizona Rattlers Phoenix, Arizona Talking Stick Resort Arena 15,50519922017 Kevin Guy
Colorado Crush Loveland, Colorado Budweiser Events Center 5,28920072009Jose Jefferson
Nebraska Danger Grand Island, Nebraska Eihusen Arena 6,00020112011Hurtis Chinn
Salt Lake Screaming Eagles West Valley City, Utah Maverik Center 10,00020162017 Matthew Sauk
Spokane Empire Spokane, Washington Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena 10,77120062016Adam Shackleford

Standings

Playoffs

Semifinals 2017 United Bowl
      
I2 Nebraska 36
I1Arizona62
I1Arizona50
U1 Sioux Falls 41
U2 Iowa 32
U1Sioux Falls66

Awards

Players of the week

The following were named the top performers during the 2017 season:

WeekOffensive
Player of the Week
Defensive
Player of the Week
Special Teams
Player of the Week
1 [7] Charles McCullum
(Nighthawks)
Rashard Smith
(Storm)
Trey Wafford
(Danger)
2 [8] Verlon Reed
(Screaming Eagles)
Robert Brown
(Empire)
Tyler Williams
(Nighthawks)
3 [9] Derrick Bernard
(Danger)
Tyree Robinson
(Empire)
Tanner Graeber
(Nighthawks)
4 [10] Trevor Kennedy
(Empire)
Javicz Jones
(Barnstormers)
Jamal Miles
(Rattlers)
5 [11] Charles Dowdell
(Empire)
Manny Asprilla
(Blizzard)
Carlton Watkins
(Storm)
6 [12] Mike Tatum
(Storm)
John Hardy-Tuliau
(Empire)
Joshua Gable
(Danger)
7 [13] Charles McCullum
(Nighthawks)
Nikolas Sierra
(Danger)
Spencer Groner
(Crush)
8 [14] Cody Sokol
(Rattlers)
Javicz Jones
(Barnstormers)
Justin Syrovatka
(Storm)
9 [15] Darrell Monroe
(Rattlers)
DaeJohn Love
(Barnstormers)
Marcus Barnett
(Titans)
10 [16] Liam Nadler
(Crush)
Eze Obiora
(Danger)
Trevor Kennedy
(Empire)
11 [17] Darrell Monroe
(Rattlers)
James Calhoun
(Screaming Eagles)
Tyler Williams
(Nighthawks)
12 [18] Travis Partridge
(Barnstormers)
Tyler Knight
(Storm)
Tyrell Pearson
(Blizzard)
13 [19] Tre' Parmalee
(Titans)
Khalif Mitchell
(Storm)
Sawyer Petre
(Rattlers)
14 [20] Travis Partridge
(Barnstormers)
Justin Shirk
(Rattlers)
Chris Robinson
(Screaming Eagles)
15 [21] Brady Roland
(Barnstormers)
James Calhoun
(Screaming Eagles)
Rockne Belmonte
(Nighthawks)
16 [22] Drew Powell
(Danger)
Jamie Bender
(Barnstormers)
Tyler Williams
(Nighthawks)
17 [23] Brady Roland
(Barnstormers)
Allen Chapman
(Rattlers)
Miles Bergner
(Crush)
18 [24] Drew Powell
(Danger)
Rashard Smith
(Storm)
Miles Bergner
(Crush)

Individual season awards

AwardWinnerPositionTeam
Most Valuable PlayerCharles McCullum Quarterback Wichita Falls Nighthawks
Offensive Player of the YearCharles McCullum Quarterback Wichita Falls Nighthawks
Defensive Player of the YearJavicz Jones Linebacker Iowa Barnstormers
Special Teams Player of the YearTyler Williams Kick returner Wichita Falls Nighthawks
Offensive Rookie of the YearVerlon Reed Quarterback Salt Lake Screaming Eagles
Defensive Rookie of the YearTrey Wafford Defensive back Nebraska Danger
Most Improved Award Travis Partridge Quarterback Iowa Barnstormers
Adam Pringle AwardJack Bramswig Wide receiver Green Bay Blizzard
Coach of the YearDixie Wooten Head coach Iowa Barnstormers

[25] [26] [27] [28]

1st Team All-IFL

Offense
Quarterback Charles McCullum, Wichita Falls
Running back Darrell Monroe, Arizona
Wide receiver Jordan Jolly, Wichita Falls
Brady Roland, Iowa
Damond Powell, Cedar Rapids
Offensive tackle Darius Savage, Nebraska
Lamar Mady, Arizona
Center Rashad Mungro, Sioux Falls
Defense
Defensive line J. D. Griggs, Spokane
Ra'Shawde Myers, Iowa
Chris McAllister, Arizona
Linebacker Javicz Jones, Iowa
Defensive back Trey Wafford, Nebraska
Allen Chapman, Arizona
Rashard Smith, Sioux Falls
James Calhoun, Salt Lake
Special teams
Kicker Rockne Belmonte, Wichita Falls
Kick returner Tyler Williams, Wichita Falls

2nd Team All-IFL

Offense
Quarterback Travis Partridge, Iowa
Running back Tyler Williams, Wichita Falls
Wide receiver Kyle Kaizer, Colorado
Devin Mahina, Salt Lake
Marquel Willis, Green Bay
Offensive tackle Kyle Bryant, Sioux Falls
D'Angelo McCray, Iowa
Center Damian Love, Arizona
Defense
Defensive end Eze Obiora, Nebraska
Claude Davis, Sioux Falls
Walter Thomas, Wichita Falls
Linebacker Tyler Knight, Sioux Falls
Defensive back Jamie Bender, Iowa
Matt Hermanson, Sioux Falls
John Hardy-Tuliau, Spokane
Manny Asprilla, Green Bay
Special teams
Kicker Sawyer Petre, Arizona
Kick returner Daniel Lindsey, Colorado

[29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tri-Cities Fever</span> American indoor football team

The Tri-Cities Fever were a professional indoor football franchise based in Kennewick, Washington. The Fever joined National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2005 as an expansion team. The Fever were owned by Teri Carr. From 2005 to 2016, the Fever played their home games at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington. On June 30, 2016, the team announced it would go dormant for the 2017 season and beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sioux Falls Storm</span>

The Sioux Falls Storm are a professional indoor football team based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Storm joined the original Indoor Football League as an expansion team in 1999 as the Sioux Falls Cobras, and first took the field for the 2000 season. They currently participate in another iteration of the Indoor Football League; prior to that, the Storm were in United Indoor Football (UIF), where they won all four of the league's championship games. In the newer IFL, the Storm have won seven of the eleven championships in the league as of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Crush (IFL)</span> Indoor football team

The Colorado Crush were a professional indoor football team. The Crush played its home games at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado, outside Fort Collins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indoor Football League</span> Indoor American football league founded in 2008

The Indoor Football League (IFL) is a professional indoor American football league created in 2008 out of the merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football. It has one of the largest number of currently active teams among indoor football leagues. As of 2023 season, the league consists of 14 teams in two conferences with each team playing 16 games over 19 weeks.

The 2009 Indoor Football League season is the inaugural season of the Indoor Football League, a league formed as a merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football. The regular season began on Friday, March 13 and ended on Saturday, July 11. The league champions were the Billings Outlaws, who defeated the RiverCity Rage in the 2009 United Bowl.

Mike Anthony Tatum is currently the Offensive Coordinator for the Omaha Beef. Mike is the ALL TIME yards leader in Indoor Football League history. He is former indoor American football wide receiver for the Nebraska Danger, Bismarck Bucks and the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Oxnard College. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Marion Mayhem in 2009. He played with the Mayhem until their demise during the 2010 season. Tatum then finished the 2010 season with the Fort Wayne FireHawks. Tatum then returned to Marion in 2011, when a new franchise called the Marion Blue Racers expanded into the CIFL. Tatum has also played for the Everett Raptors of the IFL. Tatum is known for his return capabilities, winning Special Teams Player of the Year in 2 different leagues.

Chris Dixon II is a former professional indoor football player. He is also a former head coach. He ended his long playing career with a stint as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) before returning to the Sioux Falls Storm (IFL) near the end of their 2019 season. Dixon attended Contra Costa College for two years before attending Humboldt State University, where he was an All-conference player.

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

Claude Davis is an American football linebacker for the Sioux City Bandits of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football at the University of South Florida.

Lamar Mady is an American football center for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football for Youngstown State.

Tyler Knight is a professional indoor football linebacker. He played college football at Mississippi Valley State, and currently plays for the Sioux City Bandits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billings Wolves</span>

The Billings Wolves were a professional indoor football team based in Billings, Montana and members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Wolves began play in 2015 as an expansion team of the IFL. The Wolves were owned by Ron Benzel and coached by Chris Dixon. The Wolves played their home games at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

Allen Chapman is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. He played college football at Kansas State.

Craig Peterson is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He is also an advocate for health at every size.

Chris McAllister is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He attended Judson High School in Converse, Texas; upon graduating in 2009, he played football at Baylor University. During his time at Baylor, McAllister recorded a total of 15.0 sacks; this left him tied for the record of most career sacks in Baylor history. He led the team in sacks in 2012 and 2013.

The IFL National Championship is the Indoor Football League's championship game. It has been played every year since 2009, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current champions are the Northern Arizona Wranglers, who won their first IFL National Championship in 2022, their second season in the league. The Sioux Falls Storm won six straight United Bowls from 2011 to 2016.

<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.

The 2017 Colorado Crush season was the eleventh season for the professional indoor football franchise and ninth in the Indoor Football League (IFL). It was the second season of the franchise being labeled the Crush after playing nine seasons under the Ice moniker. The Crush were one of ten teams that competed in the IFL for the 2017 season. The Crush were members of the Intense Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Daniels</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Sean Daniels is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Temple University.

The 2018 Indoor Football League season was the tenth season of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The league played with six teams, after the suspension of operations of three teams, the departure of another two teams, and the addition and subsequent suspension of two teams.

Mason Espinosa is a former professional American football quarterback and current coach for the DePauw Tigers football team. He has also played for the Albany Empire, the Erie Explosion and the Billings Wolves. Espinosa played college football for Ohio Wesleyan University. He currently holds 17 individual Ohio Wesleyan records, as well as being the all-time North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) career leader in passing yards and total yards, while also setting a single season NCAC record for completions.

References

  1. "IFL Announces 2017 Schedule - Indoor Football League". goifl.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-27.
  2. "IFL Record and Fact Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
  3. "Billings Wolves suspend operations; team could return in 2018 | Montana Sports". Archived from the original on 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  4. The City Herald (subscription required)
  5. "IFL Announces Salt Lake City Expansion Team". OurSports Central. April 21, 2016.
  6. "IFL Announces Addition of Arizona Rattlers". IFL. October 17, 2016. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  7. "Week 1 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  8. "Week 2 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  9. "Week 3 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  10. "Week 4 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. March 15, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  11. "Week 5 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  12. "Week 6 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  13. "Week 7 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  14. "Week 8 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  15. "Week 9 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. April 19, 2017. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  16. "Week 10 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  17. "Week 11 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  18. "Week 12 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  19. "Week 13 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  20. "Week 14 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  21. "Week 15 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  22. "Week 16 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. June 7, 2017. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  23. "Week 17 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  24. "Week 18 Players of the Week Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  25. "IFL Rookies of the Year Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  26. "Most Improved Player & Adam Pringle Awards Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  27. "IFL MVP & Coach of the Year Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  28. "IFL Players of the Year Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  29. "IFL Announces 2017 All-IFL Teams". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.

See also