2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks season
The 2010 Fort Wayne Firehawks season was the first season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) franchise. In November 2009, the FireHawks were announced as the successor team to the Fort Wayne Freedom.[1] Owners J. Michael Loomis and John Christner purchased the assets left from the Freedom franchise, who had played the two seasons before the FireHawks were announced.[1] Christner's first action as General Manager was naming former Freedom head coach Willie Davis as the team's first head coach.[2] On December 9, 2009, it was confirmed that Loomis and Christner would take over the entities that used to run the Freedom.[3] Before the season started, the team announced they had signed Katie Hnida as the team's placekicker. Hnida is best known for becoming the first woman to score a point in an NCAA football game and speaking out during the recruiting scandal at her first school, the University of Colorado.[4]
| 2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | J. Michael Loomis |
| General manager | J. Michael Loomis |
| Head coach | Willie Davis Jr. |
| Home field | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–4 |
| League place | 3rd |
| Playoff finish | Lost CIFL Semifinals 24–25 (Wolfpack) |
According to The Journal Gazette in 2011, former players said they were still owed from the 2010 season. Team owner Mike Loomis did not confirm or deny the reports in that article.[5] The team drew about 2,000 fans per game, according to CIFL stats.
Players
Signings
| Position | Player | 2009 Team |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Kota-Carone Colors | Fort Wayne Freedom |
| DB | Terry Moore | Milwaukee Bonecrushers |
| WR | Justin Wynn | Fort Wayne Freedom |
| WR | Mike Tatum | Marion Mayhem |
| DB | Jesse Allen | Erie RiverRats |
| WR | Chris Kolokithas | Erie RiverRats |
| DE | Thomas McKenzie | Marion Mayhem |
| DB | Bryan Williams | Marion Mayhem |
| OL | Anthony Harrison | Fort Wayne Freedom |
| OL/DL | Al Fertil | Fort Wayne Freedom |
| DL/DL | Brodrick Johnson | Fort Wayne Freedom |
Final roster
| 2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Updated June 19, 2010 rookies in italics | |||
Staff
| 2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
Head coaches
|
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
| |||||
Schedule
Regular season
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game site | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | Bye | |||||||
| 2 | Bye | |||||||
| 3 | Bye | |||||||
| 4 | April 2 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Cincinnati Commandos | L 27–55 | 0–1 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 5 | April 10 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Miami Valley Silverbacks | W 44–28 | 1–1 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 6 | April 16 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 0–49 | 1–2 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 7 | April 24 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Chicago Cardinals | W 69–45 | 2–2 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 8 | May 1 | 7:00 p.m. CST | at Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 32–33 | 2–3 | Hartmeyer Ice Arena | ||
| 9 | May 9 | 1:00 P.M. EDT | Miami Valley Silverbacks | W 26–8 | 3–3 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 10 | May 15 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | at Marion Mayhem | W 2–0 (Forfeit) | 4–3 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 11 | May 22 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | at Cincinnati Commandos | L 46–49 | 4–4 | Cincinnati Gardens | ||
| 12 | May 28 | 7:00 P.M. EDT | Marion Mayhem | W 2–0 (Forfeit) | 5–4 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | ||
| 13 | June 5 | 7:00 P.M. CST | at Chicago Cardinals | W 48–0 | 6–4 | Odeum Expo Center | ||
| 14 | Bye | |||||||
Standings
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | PF (Avg.) | PA (Avg.) | STK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Commandos-y | 9 | 1 | 0 | .900 | 493 | 294 | 49.3 | 29.4 | L1 | ||
| Wisconsin Wolfpack-x | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 | 345 | 213 | 34.5 | 21.3 | W3 | ||
| Fort Wayne FireHawks-x | 6 | 4 | 0 | .600 | 294 | 267 | 36.75 | 33.375 | W2 | ||
| Miami Valley Silverbacks-x | 4 | 6 | 0 | .400 | 309 | 354 | 34.33 | 39.33 | W1 | ||
| Marion Mayhem | 3 | 7 | 0 | .300 | 202 | 193 | 33.67 | 32.16 | L5 | ||
| Chicago Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 0 | .000 | 205 | 525 | 20.5 | 52.5 | L10 | ||
Regular season results
Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Commandos
The FireHawks suffered a loss in their first game as a franchise April 2, 2010, a 55–27 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.[6] During the game, the FireHawks also lost their quarterback, Adam Gibson, during the game, leaving the FireHawks searching for another quarterback before the next week.[7]
Week 4: Cincinnati Commandos at Fort Wayne FireHawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commandos | 13 | 29 | 0 | 13 | 55 |
| FireHawks | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Date: April 2
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 2,456
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 5: vs. Miami Valley Silverbacks
The FireHawks earned their first victory April 10, 2010, 44–28 against the Miami Valley Silverbacks, as new quarterback, Kota Carone-Colors, paced the team with seven touchdown passes.[8]
Week 5: Miami Valley Silverbacks at Fort Wayne FireHawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverbacks | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 28 |
| FireHawks | 20 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 44 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Date: April 10
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 1,954
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 6: vs. Wisconsin Wolfpack
Throughout the season the team experienced many ups and downs, none lower than a 0–49 defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Wolfpack.[9] Three weeks into the season, the FireHawks received a blow, when co-owner and general manager John Christner left the organization, leaving Loomis as the sole owner.[10]
Week 6: Wisconsin Wolfpack at Fort Wayne FireHawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfpack | 16 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 49 |
| FireHawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Date: April 16
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 2,074
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 7: vs. Chicago Cardinals
The FireHawks' showed no effects from the front office problems, as the following week the team came out and defeated the Chicago Cardinals 69–45, but the team played without Hnida, as a blood clot on her foot put her out for the season.[11]
Week 7: Chicago Cardinals at Fort Wayne FireHawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 14 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 45 |
| FireHawks | 6 | 29 | 6 | 28 | 69 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Date: April 24
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 2,020
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 8: vs. Wisconsin Wolfpack
The FireHawks got a quick chance at revenge against the Wolfpack, but they failed losing 32–33 as they couldn't score from the 1-yard line with seconds left, as backup quarterback, Mike Whitaker's pass sailed over the hands of Jermaine Woolfolk. The FireHawks didn't dress a kicker during the game, citing "low ceilings" as the reason not to dress the team's new kicker, David McLane, an intern for the team.[12]
Week 8: Fort Wayne FireHawks at Wisconsin Wolfpack – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireHawks | 6 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 32 |
| Wolfpack | 6 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
at Hartmeyer Arena, Madison, Wisconsin
- Date: May 1
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 9: vs. Miami Valley Silverbacks
The FireHawks won their next game against Miami Valley, 26–8.[13]
Week 9: Miami Valley Silverbacks at Fort Wayne FireHawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverbacks | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| FireHawks | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 26 |
at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Date: May 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 1,353
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 10: vs. Marion Mayhem
During the week before the team's first game at the Marion Mayhem, Loomis stated that the team would continue to play despite its mounting financial struggles.[14] The Mayhem, who were having financial problems of their own, forced the FireHawks next game back to June 12.[15]
Week 10: Fort Wayne FireHawks at Marion Mayhem – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireHawks | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mayhem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at (forfeit, game was not played)
- Date: May 15
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
| Game information |
|---|
|
Week 11: vs. Cincinnati Commandos
The FireHawks continued their season the following week against the undefeated Commandos, losing 46–49 after leading by 12 with 4:12 left in the game.[16]
Week 11: Fort Wayne FireHawks at Cincinnati Commandos – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireHawks | 12 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 46 |
| Commandos | 7 | 14 | 6 | 22 | 49 |
at Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: May 22
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game attendance: 2,218
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 12: vs. Marion Mayhem
The team was scheduled to the Mayhem the next week, but before they played the FireHawks the franchise folded.[17] The folding of Marion credited the FireHawks with two forfeit wins, but hurt the team financially by costing them a home game.[18] Because the Mayhem didn't finish the season, several of Marion's players were signed by Fort Wayne in the subsequent weeks to join in the FireHawks' playoff run.[19]
FORFEIT BY MARION
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayhem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FireHawks | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
- Date: May 28
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- (forfeit, game was not played)
| Game information |
|---|
|
Week 14: vs. Chicago Cardinals
The FireHawks went to Chicago and shutout the Cardinals 48–0.[20] The FireHawks finished 6–4 during the 2010 Continental Indoor Football League season, earning a third-seed in the playoffs.[21]
Week 14: Fort Wayne FireHawks at Chicago Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireHawks | 14 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 48 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois
- Date: June 5
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game attendance: 375
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Postseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Game site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||
| 1 | June 19 | 7:00 p.m. CST | at Wisconsin Wolfpack | L 24-25 | 0-1 | Hartmeyer Ice Arena |
Postseason results
Semifinals: vs. Wisconsin Wolfpack
In the first playoff game in team history, the FireHawks lost to the second-place Wolfpack, 25–24.[22]
Semifinals: Fort Wayne FireHawks at Wisconsin Wolfpack – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FireHawks | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 24 |
| Wolfpack | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 25 |
at Hartmeyer Arena, Madison, Wisconsin
- Date: June 19
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats
Passing
| Player | Comp. | Att. | Comp% | Yards | TD's | INT's | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kota-Carone Colors | 71 | 155 | 45.8% | 694 | 14 | 9 | 92.3 |
| Mike Whitaker | 14 | 35 | 40% | 144 | 3 | 2 | 83.9 |
| Ean Decker | 5 | 14 | 35.7% | 30 | 0 | 1 | 4.8 |
| Adam Gibson | 4 | 14 | 28.6% | 43 | 1 | 0 | 89.2 |
Rushing
| Player | Car. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kota-Carone Colors | 42 | 235 | 5.4 | 4 | 28 |
| Justin Wynn | 12 | 115 | 9.0 | 2 | 33 |
| Brandon Williams | 18 | 87 | 4.2 | 3 | 23 |
| Victor Tolbert | 18 | 73 | 4.1 | 2 | 14 |
| Tramaine Billie | 12 | 34 | 2.8 | 6 | 7 |
Receiving
| Player | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Wynn | 25 | 358 | 14.3 | 8 | 45 |
| Zach Rainey | 21 | 162 | 7.7 | 1 | 25 |
| Brandon Walker-Roby | 19 | 124 | 6.5 | 2 | 19 |
| Jermaine Woolfolk | 11 | 109 | 9.9 | 3 | 29 |
CIFL awards
- Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Tramaine Billie
- Special Teams Player of the Year - Mike Tatum (Also played with the Marion Mayhem during 2010 season)
1st Team All-CIFL
- WR Justin Wynn
- LB Tramaine Billie
- KR Mike Tatum
2nd Team All-CIFL
- C Anothony Harrison
- DE Brodrick Johnson
- DE Thomas McKenzie (Also played with the Marion Mayhem during 2010 season)
- DB Paul Carter
References
- Stacy Clardie (November 17, 2009). "Next up: Fort Wayne Firehawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- "Ex-Freedom coach takes over FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. November 20, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "Judge advances steps to acquire FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. December 9, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Reggie Hayes (March 31, 2010). "FireHawks' new kicker rekindling her dream". The News-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "Indoor football could return to city". The Journal Gazette. July 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (April 3, 2010). "FireHawks lose QB, opener". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (April 10, 2010). "2 QBs to take snaps for FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (April 11, 2010). "New QB produces in FireHawks 1st win". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (April 17, 2010). "FireHawks QBs endure difficult night". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "FireHawks' Loomis now team's sole owner". The Journal Gazette. April 23, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "FireHawks rebound, trounce Cardinals". The News-Sentinel. April 26, 2010.
- Stacy Clardie (May 2, 2010). "FireHawks lose by one at Wisconsin". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Greg Jones (May 10, 2010). "FireHawks move into tie for 3rd in CIFL". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (May 13, 2010). "Owner: FireHawks will play despite financial challenges". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (May 15, 2010). "FireHawk's game pushed to June 12". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "FireHawks can't hold off final Commandos charge". The News-Sentinel. May 24, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (May 27, 2010). "FireHawks' final home game is off". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (May 28, 2010). "Folded franchise cost FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Stacy Clardie (June 13, 2010). "'New' FireHawks prep for postseason". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "FireHawks dominate Chicago in 48-0 rout". The Journal Gazette. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Reggie Hayes (June 18, 2010). "Tough playoffs for FireHawks". The News-Sentinel. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- "FireHawks' season ends on bitter note". The Journal Gazette. June 20, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
External links
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