Canton Cougars

Last updated
Canton Cougars
Established 2010
Folded 2012
Played in Canton, Ohio
at the Canton Memorial Civic Center
CantonCougars.PNG
League/conference affiliations
Ultimate Indoor Football League (2011)
Current uniform
Team colorsBlack, Gold, Red    
MascotCujo Da Cougar
CheerleadersCougar Kittens
Personnel
General managerRobb Bickis
Head coachPaul Farrah
Team history
  • Canton Cougars (2011)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

The Canton Cougars were a professional indoor football team based in Canton, Ohio. The team began play in 2011 as a charter member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) for its inaugural 2011 season. The Cougars played their home games at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. The Cougars were Canton's second indoor football team; their first since the American Indoor Football Association's Canton Legends, which played from 2005 until 2008 (winning the AIFL championship in 2006).

Contents

History

2011

The Cougars were formed by the head of the Ultimate Indoor Football League, Andrew Haines. [1] Haines made the hire of Rashan Hall to become the Cougars first ever head coach. [2] The Cougars played their first ever game on February 20, 2011 against the Huntington Hammer, a game in which the Cougars lost 41-26. [3] With the team getting off to a rough 0-3 start, Haines issued a guarantee to the people of Canton, saying that the revamped Cougars roster would defeat the Saginaw Sting during their week 4 meeting. [4] The Cougars didn't make their owner a liar, defeating the Sting 53-52. [5] Their victory over the Sting proved to be the lone bright spot for the Cougars, who would lose 9 straight before firing their Hall, and replacing him with Paul Farrah. [6] Farrah would lose the game, with less than a week to prepare. The Cougars finished with a 1-13 record, and finished last in the UIFL.

2012

On June 16, 2011, it was announced that Michael Taylor and Andrew Hines had sold their controlling state in the Cougars to Tim Clark. [7] Clark was the former owner of the Johnstown Generals, but the commute was becoming a hassle. Once he gained ownership, he made several personnel changes including, naming Paul Farrah as its new head coach. Farrah was recently hired as the director of football operations. He also hired Canton South High School head coach Mo Daniska as the new defensive coordinator, while Louisville High School defensive coordinator Troy Davis will serve as the director of community relations, focusing on developing youth football camps and clinics. Former head coach Rashaun Hall has been retained as an assistant coach and will also serve as director of player personnel. [8] They also announced and hired seasoned operations executive David Lopez as the new director of sales and marketing. The new group made plenty of signings for the 2012 season, and lasted until January when the franchise suspended operations. [9]

Notable players

Final roster

Canton Cougars roster
Quarterbacks
  •  6Ray Marrow
  • --Marc Pullen

Running backs

  • 43Daniel Suitca

Wide receivers

  •  3Ryan Brinson
  • --Nate Ford
  • --Chris Kolokithas
  •  7Tim Smith
Offensive linemen
  • --Zack Anderson
  • 73Donald Foster
  • 74Chris Saunders
  • 55Luke Summers

Defensive linemen

  • --Anton Ceasar
  • 93Jerome Jackson
  • 56Harrison Jones
  • 98Antonio Reynolds
  • 20Dawon Smith
Linebackers
  • 22Cody Smith
  • 42Lawrence Vickerstaff

Defensive backs

  • 15John Chisolm
  • 24Pat O'Malley
  •  9 JoJo Polk
  • 33Dawon Woodward

Kickers

  • --Jared Thomas
Injured reserve
  • currently vacant

Exempt list

Practice squad

  • currently vacant

rookies in italics
Roster updated March 28, 2011
23 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

All-League selections

Head coaches

NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
WLTWin%WL
Rashal Hall 2011 1120.07700
Paul Farrah 2011 010.00000

Season-by-season results

League ChampionsConference ChampionsDivision ChampionsWild Card BerthLeague Leader
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results
FinishWinsLossesTies
2011 2011 UIFL 6th1130
Totals1130All-time regular season record (2011)
00-All-time postseason record (2011)
1130All-time regular season and postseason record (2011)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erie Explosion</span> American indoor football team

The Erie Explosion was a professional American indoor football team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2007 as the Pittsburgh RiverRats, the Explosion played in the Professional Indoor Football League, the United Indoor Football League, the Southern Indoor Football League, the Continental Indoor Football League and the American Indoor Football Association and operated continuously from 2007 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultimate Indoor Football League</span>

The Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) was a regional professional indoor football league that began its inaugural season on February 18, 2011 as the Ultimate Indoor Football League before playing as the United Indoor Football League in 2012, then switched back to "Ultimate" for the 2013 season. After the 2014 season, the league merged with X-League Indoor Football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saginaw Sting</span> American indoor football team

The Saginaw Sting was a professional Indoor Football team based in Saginaw, Michigan. The team was most recently a member of American Indoor Football (AIF). They began play in 2008 as an expansion team in the Continental Indoor Football League and then moved to the Indoor Football League for the 2009 season. They suspended operations for the 2010 season before becoming an inaugural member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The following season they were suspended by the UIFL and re-joined the CIFL under new ownership. The team has since moved to the AIF. The owners of the Sting were Stuart Schweigert, Rob Licht and Jim O'Brien. The Sting played their home games at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Commandos</span> Indoor football team based in Ohio, US

The Cincinnati Commandos were a professional indoor football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team suspended operations for the 2013 season, with hope of returning in 2014. They began play in 2010 as an expansion team in the Continental Indoor Football League before moving to the United Indoor Football League in 2012. The Commandos then left the UIFL after winning Ultimate Bowl II and re-joined the CIFL, but never took the field after its announcement. The Commandos were the fifth arena or indoor football in Cincinnati, after the Cincinnati Rockers, Cincinnati Swarm, Cincinnati Marshals, and Cincinnati Jungle Kats. The owners of the Commandos are Dennis Whitman and Paul Napier. The Commandos played their home games at Cincinnati Gardens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Drillers</span>

The Kentucky Drillers were a professional indoor football team based in Pikeville, Kentucky. The franchise started as the Eastern Kentucky Drillers and joined the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2013 after playing their first two seasons as a charter member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) for its inaugural 2011 season. The owner of the Drillers was Rick Kranz. The Drillers played their home games at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntington Hammer</span> US professional indoor football team

The Huntington Hammer were a professional indoor football team that began play as a charter member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) for its inaugural 2011 season. The Hammer were based in Huntington, West Virginia, with home games played at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marion Blue Racers</span>

The Marion Blue Racers were a professional indoor football team based in Marion, Ohio. The Blue Racers began play as an expansion team in the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2011, before moving to the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) for the 2012 season. The Blue Racers returned to the CIFL in 2013. The team had announced that it would be joining the Xtreme Indoor Football League (XIFL) for the 2014, but later re-signed with the CIFL. During the 2015 season, the Blue Racers played as members of X-League Indoor Football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Hound Dogs</span>

The Mississippi Hound Dogs were a professional indoor football team based in Tupelo, Mississippi. The Hound Dogs played their home games at the BancorpSouth Arena as a member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League's Southern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River City Raiders</span> Indoor football team

The River City Raiders were a professional indoor football team based in St. Charles, Missouri. They play their home games at Family Arena. As of February 2018 the River City Raiders website and social media pages have been removed. No formal announcement has ever been publicly made by the Raiders or their ownership after their final 2017 regular season game regarding their future or folding.

The 2011 Canton Cougars season was the 1st and only season for the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise. The Cougars were formed by the head of the Ultimate Indoor Football League, Andrew Haines. Haines made the hire of Rashan Hall to become the Cougars first ever head coach. The Cougars played their first ever game on February 20, 2011 against the Huntington Hammer, a game in which the Cougars lost 41-26. With the team getting off to a rough 0-3 start, Haines issued a guarantee to the people of Canton, saying that the revamped Cougars roster would defeat the Saginaw Sting during their week 4 meeting. The Cougars didn't make their owner a liar, defeating the Sting 53-52. Their victory over the Sting proved to be the lone bright spot for the Cougars, who would lose 9 straight before firing Hall, and replacing him with Paul Farrah. Farrah would lose the game, with less than a week to prepare. The Cougars finished with a 1-13 record, and finished last in the UIFL.

The 2011 Huntington Hammer season was the first season for the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise. The Hammer were able to finish the season with a 7–7 record. In the playoffs, they were defeated by the Eastern Kentucky Drillers.

The 2011 Northern Kentucky River Monsters season was the first season for the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise. Announced as a startup team for the newly formed Ultimate Indoor Football League in 2010, the team was purchased by Jill Chitwood from the UIFL in February 2011. Just a week before the season began, team General Manager, Jared Lorenzen, relieved himself of his duties as general manager, and became the quarterback for the franchise. In the River Monsters first ever game they defeated the Canton Cougars by a score of 63–41. With a Week 9 win over the Saginaw Sting, the River Monsters had clinched a postseason berth in their first season, clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. After wrapping up the season, the UIFL had discovered that the River Monsters had been paying their players over the league's salary cap. The UIFL stripped the River Monsters of the #1 seed and made them the #4 seed, taking away the River Monster's chance to earn playoff money. The River Monster now traveled to Saginaw, Michigan to play the Sting, where the Sting upset the River Monsters 48–47. On June 6, 2011, it was announced that the UIFL and the River Monsters mutually agreed to part ways, leaving the team free to join another league. However, the UIFL had a lease agreement with the arena, which hampered the likelihood the River Monsters would play in Highland Heights in 2012. The team had been mentioned as a charter member Stadius Football Association, but that league never got off the ground.

The 2011 Saginaw Sting season was the 3rd season for the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise. After not faring well during their only season in the IFL, the Sting For the 2011 season, the team was purchased by San Diego-based business man, Mike Esposito. Esposito announced that the team would play in the newly formed Ultimate Indoor Football League, which Esposito was also the league's commissioner. He hired Stuart Schweigert as the Sting's Director of Player Development. After a 2-1 start, John Mize was fired for failing to submit a game roster before the Wednesday night deadline, causing the Sting to play a game short handed, that they eventually lost 37-38. He was replaced by assistant coach Vince Leveille. The Sting went on to win the Ultimate Bowl, with quarterback Tommy Jones setting several UIFL passing records and claiming the Ultimate Bowl's MVP honors. Ultimate Indoor Football League franchise. The Sting were able to finish the season with a 10-4 record, and won the Ultimate Bowl over the Eastern Kentucky Drillers.

The 2012 United Indoor Football League season was the second season of the league. The league was split into two conferences, and four divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Kentucky River Monsters</span> Professional indoor football team based in Highland Heights, Kentucky

The Northern Kentucky River Monsters were a professional indoor football team based in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The River Monsters began play as a charter member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) for its inaugural 2011 season spending one season in the UIFL before reaching an agreement with league management to leave. After a two-year hiatus, the River Monsters returned in 2014 as a member of the South Division of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). The River Monsters played their home games at The Bank of Kentucky Center. On June 6, 2011, it was announced that the UIFL and the River Monsters mutually agreed to part ways, leaving the team free to join another league. However, the UIFL had a lease agreement with the arena, which hampered the likelihood the River Monsters would play in Highland Heights in 2012. The team had been mentioned as a charter member Stadius Football Association in 2012, but that league never got off the ground. The team suspended operations on October 1, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miami Sting</span>

The Miami Sting were a professional indoor football team based in Coral Gables, Florida. The Sting was to play its home games at the BankUnited Center on the campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables. The Sting folded just before the 2013 season began.

The 2012 Marion Blue Racers season was the 2nd season for the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise.

Shawn Liotta is currently the Head Football Coach at Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment and is the author of the book "No Huddle No Mercy" which details his record setting offensive system that has been used by football programs around the world. Since 2018 Liotta has served as the Head Football Coach at Burrell High School

The 2012 Western Pennsylvania Sting season was the first season and only season for the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) franchise.

The 2013 Ultimate Indoor Football League season was the third season of the league. The league contracted down to just 6 teams.

References

  1. ↑ Ed Balint (January 18, 2011). "Baseball league has big plans for Munson stadium". www.cantonrep.com. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ Jim Thomas (July 14, 2010). "Rashan Hall to coach Canton Cougars indoor football team". www.cantonrep.com. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  3. ↑ David Walsh (February 20, 2013). "Hammer wins opener, 41-26". www.herald-dispatch.com. HD Media Company, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Canton Owner Issues Guarantee". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. March 14, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  5. ↑ Jim Thomas (March 22, 2011). "Cougars rally, take thriller for first win of season". www.cantonrep.com. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Canton Cougars hire ex-Louisville coach Paul Farrah". www.cantonrep.com. GateHouse Media, Inc. May 23, 2011. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  7. ↑ Mike Popovich (June 14, 2011). "Tim Clark takes control of Canton Cougars". www.cantonrep.com. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Clark takes over Canton, makes changes". www.theuifl.com. UIFL. Archived from the original on 2011-12-10.
  9. ↑ Michael Stainbrook (January 30, 2012). "Football: Former Ohio QB switches teams before UIFL season". www.thepost.ohiou.edu. The Post. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
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.