Port Huron Patriots

Last updated
Port Huron Patriots
Established 2011
Folded 2014
Played in McMorran Arena in Port Huron, Michigan
PortHuronPatriots.jpg
League/conference affiliations
Continental Indoor Football League (2012–2014)
  • North Division (2014)
Current uniform
CIFL-Uniform-PortHuron.png
Team colorsRed, Navy, White
   
Personnel
Owner(s)Jude Carter
Lonnie Nichols
Lance Nichols
David Nichols
Larry Page
Matt Wuchte
Nick Kennedy-Saura
General managerJude Carter
Head coachJohn Forti (2012)
Dave Kinsman (2012)
Demar Cranford (2013–2014)
Terry Foster (2014)
Team history
  • Port Huron Patriots (2012–2014)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

The Port Huron Patriots were a professional indoor football team based in Port Huron, Michigan. The team was a member of the North Division of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). [1] The Patriots joined the CIFL in 2012 as an expansion team. The Patriots were the third indoor football team to be based in Port Huron, the first being CIFL charter members and inaugural champions the Port Huron Pirates (2006–2007), and the other being the CIFL based Port Huron Predators. The Owners of the Patriots were Jude Carter, Lonnie Nichols, Lance Nichols, David Nichols, Larry Page, Matt Wuchte and Nick Kennedy-Saura. The Patriots played their home games at the McMorran Arena.

Contents

Franchise history

Play begins: 2012

After the disappointing end to the Port Huron Predators season in 2011, Dave and Cyndi Kinsman wanted to bring back a team to Port Huron in 2012 and the future. Kinsman stated, "We are aware of the history of teams in this city and the bottom line is that you have to win on and off the field to make this succeed. Other teams could win on the field, but couldn't win off the field meaning they didn't have the front office and leadership it takes to succeed. We are confident in the direction this franchise will head and we are thrilled to be in Port Huron." The team also announced that they would be playing at McMorran Arena during Kinsman's press conference. In early September 2011, the Patriots signed former Predators head coach John Forti, as well as re-signed local players who had played for the Predators. [2] On December 24, 2011 the team announced its training camp roster. [3]

On February 11, 2012, the team played its first preseason game. They defeated the outdoor semi-professional Southern Michigan Timberwolves 35–21. This first unofficial win came in the wake of the tragic loss of Offensive Lineman Ken Hamilton, who was killed in a shooting outside of a Detroit nightclub. Teammate Antonio Martin was also injured in the shooting. [4] [5] On March 10, 2012, the Patriots earned their first victory in franchise history with a 52–49 victory over the Chicago Vipers.

On March 29, 2012 Kinsman fired head coach John Forti, and the rest of his staff. Kinsman cited Forti's decision to hire his friends as assistant coaches and not make the best choices for the team as their reason for Forti's termination. [6]

Kinsman went on to lead the Patriots to a 3–4 record, making them 4–6 overall, clinching the 4th seed in the CIFL playoffs, but despite this factor, the league decided to shorten the playoffs. This left the Patriots and the Evansville Rage both out of the playoffs. [7]

2013

The Patriots will return to the CIFL in 2013. On February 21, just two games into the season, the Kinsman's sold the team, as David was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. [8] The team was sold locally to Jude Carter, Lonnie Nichols, Lance Nichols, David Nichols, Larry Page, Matt Wuchte and Nick Kennedy-Saura, with Carter also serving as the team's general manager. [8] The also announced that the team's new head coach would be Demar Cranford. [8]

2014

In June 2013, the Patriots agreed to terms with the CIFL to return for the 2014 season. [9] Coach Demar Cranford left the team as did several players just prior to their April 13, 2014, game against the Erie Explosion. He says he resigned, but team co-owner Jude Carter said he was fired due to "lack of leadership and the team’s lack of performance". The team (using replacement players from the Erie Express, a semi-pro team from the Explosion's hometown of Erie) would lose to the Explosion 114–0, leaving their future in serious doubt, [10] but Carter stated otherwise. [11] After the season, the CIFL disbanded and its remaining active teams joined other leagues; by this time, the Patriots' owner could no longer be reached. [12]

Logos and uniforms

The team announced that its logo would be a bald eagle's head with a flag in the background, and the colors would be red, white and blue, during a September 24, 2011 press conference at the McMorran [13] [14]

Final roster

All-League players

The following Patriots players have been named to All-League Teams:

Coaches of note

Head coaches

NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
WLTWin%WL
Quentin Celano 2012 120.33300
Quentin Celano 2012–2013 450.44400
Quentin Celano 2013–2014 4110.26700
Quentin Celano 2014 010.00000

Coaching staff

Port Huron Patriots staff
Front office
  • Co-owner/General Manager – Jude Carter
  • Co-owner - Lonnie Nichols
  • Co-owner - Lance Nichols
  • Co-owner - David Nichols
  • Co-owner - Larry Page
  • Co-owner - Matt Wuchte
  • Co-owner - Nick Kennedy-Saura
  • Game day coordinator – Lori Jones

Head coach

  • Head coach – Quentin Celano AKA "Da Coach"

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive line/offensive coordinator – Darrel Rich
 

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Larry Page
  • Defensive Line/Asst. Defensive Coordinator – Darrel Rich

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator -

Season-by-season results

League ChampionsConference ChampionsDivision ChampionsWild Card BerthLeague Leader
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results
FinishWinsLossesTies
2012 2012 CIFL 4th460
2013 2013 CIFL 6th460
2014 2014 CIFL North4th180
Totals9200All-time regular season record (2012–2014)
00-All-time postseason record (2012–2014)
9200All-time regular season and postseason record (2012–2014)

Related Research Articles

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

The Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) was an indoor football league based along the Midwestern United States region that played nine seasons from 2006 to 2014. It began play in April 2006 as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL). It was formed by Jeff Spitaleri, his brother Eric, and a third member, Cory Trapp, all from the Canton, Ohio, area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Huron Pirates</span> American indoor football team

The Port Huron Pirates were a professional indoor football team based in Port Huron, Michigan. The team was a charter member of the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL) joining the league in 2006 as an expansion team. The Pirates were the first professional indoor football team to be based in Port Huron. They played their home games at McMorran Arena in Port Huron, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Huron Predators</span>

The Port Huron Predators were a professional Indoor Football team based in Port Huron, Michigan. The team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). The Predators joined the CIFL in 2011 as an expansion team. The Predators were the second indoor football team to be based in Port Huron, the first being CIFL charter members and inaugural champions the Port Huron Pirates (2006–2007). The Owner of the Predators was Rachel Brusate. The Predators played their home games at the McMorran 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.

The 2011 Continental Indoor Football League season was the league's sixth overall season. The regular season started on Saturday, February 26, with the expansion Port Huron Predators defeating the expansion Indianapolis Enforcers 69-12, and ended with the 2011 CIFL Championship Game on June 11, 2011, at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Cincinnati Commandos defeated the Marion Blue Racers 44-29 to clinch their second consecutive CIFL Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Indianapolis Enforcers season</span>

The 2011 Indianapolis Enforcers season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

The 2011 Port Huron Predators season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. They were the first team in Port Huron since the Port Huron Pirates played there in 2007. On February 26, 2011, the Predators won their first game in franchise history, with a 69-12 victory over the visiting Indianapolis Enforcers. They got off to a quick start after a brief scare and never looked back. After the Enforcers brought back the opening kick-off to the Predators nine-yard line, the Port Huron defense stepped up and picked off the first play from scrimmage. It was the first of seven interceptions by the Predators' defense. On the next play, Predators back-up quarterback Jim Roth, who was filling in for Damon Dowdell, found Robert Height for a 41-yard score to put the team ahead for good. The Predators carried the 7-0 into the second quarter and led 21-6 at the half. In the second half, the flood gates opened as the Enforcers, a first-year team travel team, showed their inexperience with several mistakes. After several interceptions and fumbles, Port Huron took a commanding 47-6 lead into the third quarter before going on to win by the lopsided score. On March 28, the Predators fired their second coach of the season as well as their director of operations. Head Coach Jason Lovelock was let go after Brusate said, "The players wanted something different." As for Director of Operations, Julie Crankshaw, Brusate cited, "We had different ideas on what should be done. She was fired. She didn't live up to her contract; she didn't fulfill it. So there is no need to fulfill my end." Brusate appointed Offensive Coordinator, John Forti, as the Interim Head Coach. On April 2, Forti lead the team into his first game as Head Coach, and lead the team to a 29-45 defeat to the Chicago Knights, who hadn't won a game in over 2 season. The Predators announced on April 28, 2011 that they would be forfeiting the rest of the season.

The 2012 Continental Indoor Football League season was the Continental Indoor Football League's seventh overall season. The regular season started on Saturday March 10, with the expansion Port Huron Patriots defeating the expansion Chicago Vipers 52–49 at McMorran Arena, and ended with the 2012 CIFL Championship Game, the league's championship game, on June 2, 2012, at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan where the Saginaw Sting defeated the Dayton Silverbacks 35–7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Dayton Silverbacks season</span>

The 2012 Dayton Silverbacks season is the seventh season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

The 2012 Chicago Pythons season was the first and only season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Port Huron Patriots season</span>

The 2012 Port Huron Patriots season is the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. After the disappointing end to the Port Huron Predators season in 2011, Dave and Cyndi Kinsman wanted to bring back a team to Port Huron in 2012 and the future. Kinsman stated, "We are aware of the history of teams in this city and the bottom line is that you have to win on and off the field to make this succeed. Other teams could win on the field, but couldn't win off the field meaning they didn't have the front office and leadership it takes to succeed. We are confident in the direction this franchise will head and we are thrilled to be in Port Huron." The team announced that they would be playing at McMorran Arena. In early September 2011, the Patriots signed former Pradators head coach John Forti, as well as re-signed local players who had played for the Predators. On December 24, 2011 the team announced its training camp roster.

The 2012 Evansville Rage season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Pythons</span>

The Chicago Pythons were a professional indoor football team based in Homer Glen, Illinois. The team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). The Pythons joined the CIFL in 2012 as an expansion team under the name "Chicago Vipers". They changed their name to the "Chicago Pythons" four weeks into the season. The Pythons were the third indoor football team based in the Chicago area. The Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League were based in Rosemont, and the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League are based in Hoffman Estates. The Pythons replaced the Chicago Knights, formerly the Chicago Cardinals, as the Illinois-based CIFL team, which replaced the Slaughter after they left for the Indoor Football League after a dispute with CIFL management. The Owner of the Pythons was Michael Duran. The Pythons were supposed to play their home games at The Megaplex in Homer Glen, Illinois, but the team never hosted a home game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Thunder</span>

The Detroit Thunder was a professional indoor football team based in Fraser, Michigan. The team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League. The Thunder were the third indoor football team to have called the Motor City home, following two Arena Football League teams: the four-time ArenaBowl champion Detroit Drive (1988–1993) and the Detroit Fury (2001–2004). In addition, a team called the Motor City Reapers was proposed for the 2007 CIFL season, but the team folded before ever playing a single game. The Thunder were owned by Terrence and Lawrence Foster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Port Huron Patriots season</span>

The 2013 Port Huron Patriots season was the second season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. The Patriots kicked off their exhibition schedule with a 62–2 victory over the Michigan Renegades, a semi-professional outdoor football team.

The 2013 Detroit Thunder season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

The 2013 Continental Indoor Football League season will be the Continental Indoor Football League's eighth overall season. The regular season will start on Friday February 8, with the Marion Blue Racers visiting the Saginaw Sting at the Dow Event Center, and will end with the 2013 CIFL Championship Game, the league's championship game being held on, or around, May 18. The league approved the expansion of the playoff format from four teams to six teams.

The 2014 Continental Indoor Football League season was the Continental Indoor Football League's ninth overall season. The regular season started on Monday February 3, with the Northern Kentucky River Monsters visiting the Bluegrass Warhorses at the Alltech Arena, and ended with the 2014 CIFL Championship Game, the league's championship game held on May 18.

The 2014 Marion Blue Racers season was the fourth season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Port Huron Patriots season</span>

The 2014 Port Huron Patriots season was the third season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise.

References

  1. ↑ "Ask the GM volume 2" . Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  2. ↑ James Kelley (September 30, 2011). "Indoor football coming back to Port Huron". The Voice. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Joseph Hayes (December 24, 2011). "Football: Port Huron Patriots declare their roster, initial schedule". The Times Herald. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  4. ↑ Joseph Hayes (February 12, 2012). "Patriots win inaugural game against Timberwolves, 35-21". Times Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  5. ↑ Joseph Hayes (February 13, 2012). "Football:Death stings Port Huron Patriots". The Time Herald. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ Joseph Hayes (March 30, 2012). "Football: Port Huron Patriots make big change". The Times Herald. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  7. ↑ Kyle Austin (May 11, 2012). "CIFL shortens playoff format, puts Saginaw Sting in league title game". www.mlive.com. M Live. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 Joseph Hayes (February 22, 2013). "Dave Kinsman sell Port Huron Patriots locally". The Time Herald. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  9. ↑ Cory Butzin (June 10, 2013). "Continental Indoor Football League agree to terms with five teams for next season". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  10. ↑ Joseph Hayes (April 13, 2014). "Port Huron Patriots lose, 114-0, without coach and regulars". www.thetimesherald.com. The Times Herald. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ Joseph Hayes (April 14, 2014). "Football: Patriots reach new low". www.thetimesherald.com. The Times Herald. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  12. ↑ Joseph Hayes (November 25, 2014). "CIFL folds, Patriots future uncertain". www.thetimesherald.com. The Time Herald. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  13. ↑ Hayes, Joseph (September 25, 2011). "Football: Port Huron Patriots introduce themselves to the community". thetimesherald.com. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  14. ↑ Kelley, James (October 2, 2011). "Indoor football coming back to Port Huron". voicenews.com. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
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