Written by Chris Mabry
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This morning the IFL's San Diego Strike Force will announce on Facebook and other social media platforms something big. No other information has been released but when it does, Arena Football Talk will have you covered. 

What do you guys think is? 

UPDATE: The San Diego Strike Force are holding an open tryout on August 14. You can find more information on that by clicking here. Good luck to those who tryout. 

Written by Ducon Williams

The mark of any championship team, in a professional sport, is how well they finish games.  Coming into Friday night's contest at the Bismarck Event Center, the Frisco Fighters had won 6 of 7 games--and ALL were decided by one score!  Alternatively, the Bismarck Bucks came into the game at 5-5, but only two of their games were determined by one score.   The Fighters seemed poised for another close win as they've proven they can finish games.

The fireworks started early on when Darreon Jackson jarred the ball loose from the big paws of Manny Arceneaux, and Jackson's own brother, Malik Duncan recovered it for Bismarck.  A play later, J.T. Stokes found himself in the endzone; 7-0 Bucks.  That play was quickly answered when Fighter QB Jonathan Bane bombed a TD into the clutches of Mark Munson on a 29-yard airstrike.  That didn't satisfy Frisco's head coach Clint Dolezel, and the result was a faked PAT attempt, when QB Jerrod Heard, the holder, ran right up the gut for 2 point.  Fighters lead 8-7.  Bismarck QB Caleb Lewis took a sandwich hit that sidelined him for a few plays, but the result was a 31-yard dart for a touchdown to J.T. Stokes--giving former Clemson QB, Kelly Bryant, his first IFL touchdown pass.  Bucks up 13-8.  Then the Fighters turned to their epic run game.  A 13-yard trot for 6 from Demarcus Felton was followed soon after from the QB sneak from Bane, and Frisco suddenly seemed in control with 5:18 to go in the first half.

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QB Caleb Lewis said, "hold my beer" and returned to the game for Bismarck and found newcomer WR Andre Williams for a 21-yard sideline score.  After the extra point, it was Frisco's lead 22-20.  New Bucks kicker Kimo Naehu must have heard of the new IFL rule that you could get two points by kicking the ball through the uprights under a minute in the half.  He took full advantage by kicking it right down the center with  just enough distance giving the Bismarck Bucks their first deuce in franchise history!  How important was that kick?  Well, going into the half tied at 22 against the Frisky Frisco Fighters is a feat of it's own.

The second half would get crazier. as both teams run games found their respective grooves.  RB Demarcus Felton walked in for his second TD, but Bucks running back, Justin Rankin responded with a 1-yard TD run of his own.  The missed PAT left Frisco up by a penny; 29-28.  A tipped ball caused an errant throw from Jonathan Bane causing the ball to do a dying quail impersonation as it floated into the grasp of Darreon Jackson for his second turnover of the game.  The result?  Another beautiful TD run from Justin Rankin as he started left and did an impressive cut-back move to the right and outran James Romain's stout Frisco defense, hitting pay-dirt 18 yards later.  Bucks up 35-29 with 2:17 to go in the 3rd.  But, Frisky Frisco wasted no time as Bane found Mark Munson for his second TD of the game putting Frisco up 36-35 at the end of the third.

QB Lewis showed more value after his 8-yard dump pass to Justin Rankin gave the elusive running back his second half hat-trick, and the PAT put the Bucks up 42-36 with 5:24 to go.  Have you ever asked yourself how much does 1 point matter in the high-scoring indoor game?  It does!  On the ensuing kickoff, Naehu kicks a squib kick that somehow bounces and goes right through the sure fingers of WR Marques Rodgers.  He retreats desperately to the endzone to pick up the loose ball.  As he does, he darts full speed to get out of the endzone, when Bismarck's DB Deion Carter met him like a freight train giving the Bucks a rouge!  Add one more point, and Bismarck goes up 43-36!  

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The Frisco Fighters have proven time and time again, that they win ball games this close.  After turning the ball over on downs, the defense held strong.  Bismarck had the opportunity to extend their lead with a field goal that sailed just wide right.  The aggressive Fighters offense effortlessly marched down the field, when QB1 Bane hit QB2 Jerrod Heard for an 11-yard, potentially game-tying touchdown.  Down 43-42, Dolezel elected to go for the win with a 2-point conversion attempt.  The Bucks D-line put pressure on Bane who threw incomplete to no one.  Game over, right!?  Not so fast.  Malik Duncan was flagged for illegal defense, giving Frisco another try from the one-yard line with runners like Felton, Heard, and Rodgers in their arsenal.  Then, Dolezel/Radabaugh did their best Pete Carroll impersonation from his infamous play-call in Superbowl XLIX.  Instead of handing the rock to Beast Mode, Marshawn Lynch, they ran a pick play which resulted in the Patriots picking the ball off and winning the super bowl.  Rather than hand the ball off for the one-yard winner, the Fighters elected for the same pick play.  Trips right, with Felton, Heard, and Rodgers.  Heard picks Deion Carter, as Bane passes to Felton for the easy score....except....Bucks DB Zuril Hendrick read the play perfectly and with a full sprint and sure hands wrapped up Felton who fell down a few inches from the goal line.  The attempt failed!  The Bismarck Bucks have upset the Frisco Fighters 43-42 in one of the best indoor games you will ever see!  This, ladies and gentlemen, is indoor football.  It's a lightning fast, up-and-down, side-to-side, whiplash inducing roller coaster and you're bound to enjoy the ride!

The Fighters offense outgained the Bucks 267-186, but the Bucks forced 4 turnovers, and committed none.  It's amazing the Fighters kept it this close.  Of course, 5 missed field goals from the Bucks leaves alot of points off the board.  Justin Rankin won player of the game for Bismarck for his second-half hat trick.   JT Stokes led Bismarck receivers with 6 receptions for 69 yards and a score, but added one on the ground.  Demarcus Felton finished with 11 carries for 50 yards on the ground and a pair of scores for the Fighters.  WR Mark Munson led Frisco's receivers with 5 receptions for 115 yards and two scores of his own. 

The Fighters fall to 6-2 on the season and will host the expansion Northern Arizona Wranglers on July 24, at 7:05 PM Central.

The Bismarck Bucks improve to 6-5 and will travel to Tucson to take on the Sugar Skulls on Saturday, July 24, at 8:05 Central time. "

Both games can be viewed live on Youtube pending Stadium's decision on their Game of the Week next week.

Written by Chris Mabry
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In 2021 after being out of indoor football for seven years the Louisville Xtreme entered the Indoor Football League as an expansion team. Now after almost 2 months of playing in the IFL the team has been removed from the league. 

In a article posted on the IFL website, they said the team was removed  failure to meet and maintain league obligations. 

“This is a regrettable situation, but as our league continues to generate positive momentum this became a necessary action,” said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. “We have tremendous respect for Victor Cole and his partners in Louisville and the hard work they put into developing Louisville as a viable IFL franchise. However, as we position the IFL for long-term success, it is imperative that we maintain the high standards we have set as a league.”
Louisville will be removed from the league’s remaining schedule, starting with this weekend’s IFL games. This Saturday’s IFL Game of the Week on Stadium, which was to feature the Xtreme taking on the Frisco Fighters, will now emanate from Tucson and feature a matchup between the Tucson Sugar Skulls and the Massachusetts Pirates.
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Written by Chris Mabry 
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Last Night, the Frisco Fighters opened the Comerica Center to nearly a full house as they hosted the Duke City Gladiators. Frisco was entering 2-0 after winning on the road against the Spokane Shock and Louisville Xtreme.

As the game was going on the crowd was engaged and energetic cheering on the team in their home opener. For fans like myself in North Texas were waiting to see the Frisco Fighters as it has been over two years since the team was announced.

As for the game it was a nail biter. In the first half touchdowns and kickoff recoveries put the Fighters down 20-7. At halftime, the score was tied at 13 all. In the second half, both teams traded scores that is until the last minute of the game. Frisco quarterback Jonathan Bane began the following series with two incompletions, then completed four frantic passes to bring the Fighters into field goal range.

​Crawford played the role of the hero, splitting the uprights as time ran out. The Frisco Fighters came back from being down 13 points to win the game. Now they are 3-0 with a road trip to Massachusetts to face the Pirates.

Photo curtesy of Frisco Fighters/IFL

By Seth Tucker

HENDERSON - The Indoor Football League has announced they will be expanding to the Las Vegas Valley, with their 18th team set to play in 2022.

Per the official announcement made earlier today on the IFL's website, IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon stated, "Our league just got better today with the announcement of not only a great market in Vegas, but an even better ownership group."

The team, owned by the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights' Chairman and CEO Bill Foley and Dollar Loan Center Founder and CEO Chuck Brennan, will share an arena with the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League, affiliates of the Golden Knights. Dollar Loan Center, the arena where the Vegas team will play, is slated to open in spring 2022. The official team name and logo will be announced at a later date.

Prior to this new Vegas team, there have been (at least) three other arena football teams to call Las Vegas home. Teams include the Las Vegas Sting (AFL; 1994-1995), the Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL; 2003-2007), and the Las Vegas Outlaws (AFL; 2015). 

​For more information regarding the Vegas expansion franchise, visit vegasindoorfootball.com or follow their social media pages @vegasifl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

​Written by Chris Mabry 

In 2020 prior to COVID-19 ending the season, the then expansion team Frisco Fighters were going to play their first season at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. Then, the season was postponed. 

Over a year has past and thanks Texas Governor Greg Abbott has lifted any and all restrictions. This includes lifting mask restrictions and opening the state at 100 percent. Teams the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys have announced they will fill their stadiums to full compacity when their seasons start.

Now, you can put the Frisco Fighters on that list as they announce they will open the Comerica Center to full compacity starting in April. 

You can see the full story by Clicking here

Written by Chris Mabry
As it was announced last week, the Indoor Football League has released a revised 2021 season schedule. The 2021 which was going to start March 28 is now going to start May 15. In a statement, the IFL says “In trying to best meet the varying needs of all of our member teams, we determined as a league that delaying the start of the season is in the best interest of the IFL,” said league Commissioner Todd Tryon. “With a national footprint that stretches from the East Coast to the West Cost and from North Dakota all the way down to Texas, this year calls for us to be flexible and to consider the unique restrictions, or lack thereof, of each of our 12 markets.
 
“We view this as a positive step, as we have been able to put together a schedule that will allow each team the best opportunity for success in its own local market, while also allowing for additional time for our country as a whole to make greater strides in our collective efforts against the COVID pandemic. At the same time, we realize there will continue to be issues related to COVID and we have spent many hours developing plans on how we will deal with in-season situations that may arise.”
 
The IFL has developed a comprehensive system of COVID protocols and procedures that places the safety of the league’s fans, players, coaches, team and league staff, and partners at the forefront, including roster modifications, team testing procedures, limits on how teams interact within large group settings.
 
“The IFL is committed to delivering to our fans the best indoor football product in the world, and we look forward to kicking off our 13th season,” Tryon added. “We have many more exciting announcements regarding national broadcasts and other national partners that we look forward to sharing in the coming weeks.” 

​If you want to see the entire 2021 revised schedule by the IFL, click here 

Written by Chris Mabry
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2020 was a down year for Champions Indoor Football and 2021 is no different. As this season is quickly approaching, two teams have decided not to play this season. Those teams are the Amarillo Venom and the West Texas Birds. Both teams are based where COVID numbers are high and where there arenas are used as either COVID vaccination sites or testing locations. 

The CIF season was originally going to start on March 12 but now that two teams have opted out, the plan is to start on March 27 and have the season end sometime in June. More information will be revealed on February 18 when the revised schedule will be released. 
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By Seth Tucker

Atlanta - The National Arena League has announced via their website that they will be shortening their season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing the season from it's original 17-week slate to 10 weeks, with each team playing eight games. 

The move will push the first game back from April 3rd, 2021 to May 22nd, 2021, with playoffs scheduled to take place July 31, 2021 and a championship game on August 14th.

NAL commissioner Chris Siegfried said in the announcement, "Arena football is all about the fans, they help make the game great. We wouldn't think about playing without our fans, and this decision was made with them in mind."

Read the full article here, at National Arena League Shifts to Eight-Game Schedule - National Arena League.