AFL Central Division Preview and Media Day Recap
Published on April 9, 2024 under Arena Football One (AF1) News Release
The AFL Central Division has a little bit of everything: former national champions, prolific passers, indoor football legends, and bitter rivalries.
The Central division will undoubtedly be full of rivalries. Specifically, the fight for the state of Kansas will provide prominent storylines with the Liberty, Storm, and Regulators! And don't count out the Rampage, who brings a ton of experience to the Central Division. This division will be a battle of some of the brightest coaching minds in the AFL, paired with some of the most dynamic athletes in football. One thing that this division is not lacking is passion for the sport of football.
Iowa Rampage
Head Coach - Tyus Jackson
https://www.iowarampage.com
Mid-America Center - Council Bluffs, Iowa
Coming out of Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Rampage will enjoy their first season of existence in 2024. The owners are Trevor Burdett and Mike Taliaferro, who established the second official Iowa-based AFL squad. With AFL legend Tyus Jackson at the helm, the Rampage are definitely a team to be intruiged about this season. Coach Jackson brought in Arena League legend, Donovan Morgan to run the offense. The roster, constructed by GM Tony Doremus, is loaded with a balance of young talent and grizzled veterans.
Coach Tyus Jackson is eager to get on the field and make noise in the Central Division. Jackson spent the last two seasons coaching the Topeka Tropics in the CIF and will bring a few players over to the Rampage with him. He has been preaching a one-day-at-a-time attitude to the players. Their veterans are eager for a chance to play on the big stage!
Key Players
Rakeem Kato will be the signal caller for the Rampage. He joins the AFL with an impressive football resume, to say the least. Kato was under center for Marshall from 2011-2014, where he finished his career 13th in NCAA history in passing yards and 5th in NCAA history in passing touchdowns. Professionally, Kato has done it all. He started in the CFL, playing for the Montreal Alouettes. In 2018, Cato played for the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League. Most recently, Cato played on the Orlando Predators of the NAL.
Max Novak is another rising superstar that shouldn't be overlooked. Novak comes over from the Topeka Tropics, where he played wide receiver under coach Jackson in 2023. He also spent time with the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks in 2022. He's known for his blazing speed over the middle of the field and his versatility at the receiver position.
Iowa Rampage Home Schedule
April 17 vs. Omaha Stockman 6:15 PM CT
May 11 vs. Georgia Force 7:05 PM CT
May 19 vs. Salina Liberty 7:05 PM CT
May 25 vs. ICT 7:05 PM CT
June 15 vs. SW Kansas 6:30 PM CT
June 22 vs. West Texas Desert Hawks 7:05 PM CT
Salina Liberty
Head Coach - Heron O'Neal
https://www.salinaliberty.com
Tony's Pizza Events Center- Salina, Kansas
Established in 2015, the Salina Liberty have seen success in their history in the CIF, playing in the Champions Bowl in five of their seven seasons of existence. Much of their success is attributed to head coach Heron O'Neal. The 2021 IFL Hall of Fame inductee is a four-time national champion (once with the Liberty). O'Neal will also serve as the team's assistant GM under GM Sam Sellers.
The roster will include seven players from 2023's Liberty team, a mix of veteran leaders and promising young talent. The team will garner respect because of their championship DNA and professionalism from the top down. The continuity in the roster will be something to watch for this season.
Key Players
Tracy Brooks is one of the most decorated players in Salina Liberty history. The 2021 CIF MVP will be a jack-of-all-trades for the Liberty in 2024. He's set to play WR, RB, DB, and return kicks. In 2023, he led the CIF in rushing yards per game with 56.1 and rushing touchdowns with 20. He's a dynamic player whom Coach O'Neal called "the most unselfish superstar you will ever see." At 5'8", Brooks relies on his blazing speed and quick feet to torch defenders all over the field. He will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFL this season.
Demarious Washington has been a member of the Liberty since 2021. At 6'5", Washington was known as one of the best deep ball threats in the CIF. His 14 touchdown catches and 449 receiving yards led the Liberty in 2023. He will also play Jack Linebacker in 2024.
Dontra Mathews is another Salina Liberty veteran, having played with coach O'Neal since 2018. In 2023, Mathews led the team with 6 interceptions. In 12 games played, Mathews also recorded 61 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His 6'3" frame and elite ball skills cause many issues for opposing quarterbacks.
Salina Liberty Home Schedule
April 13 vs. SW Kansas Storm 6:30 PM CT
April 28 vs. SW Kansas Storm 5:00 PM CT
May 25 vs. Rapid City Marshals 6:30 PM CT
June 8 vs. Iowa Rampage 6:30 PM CT
June 15 vs. Minnesota Myth 3:30 PM CT
June 29 vs. Wichita Regulators 6:30 PM CT
Southwest Kansas Storm
Head Coach - Gary Thomas
https://www.swkstormfootball.com
United Wireless Arena - Dodge City, Kansas
The Southwest Kansas Storm, based in Dodge City, Kansas, are back for their third season. Similar to the Salina Liberty, the Storm was originally a member of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF). They were added as an expansion team in 2021 and played their first season in 2022.
Gary Thomas will be at the helm of the Storm. Thomas is a Dodge City legend, having coached at Dodge City Community College from 2013 to 2018. He carries the reputation of a terrific X's and O's coach. He's confident his 16 years of head coaching experience can give him an edge over his opponents this season.
Thomas has worked closely with General Manager Patrick Williams to construct a roster from scratch. The Storm team is filled with young players looking to make a name for themselves on the big stage.
Key Players
Caden Walters will be a name to know for the Storm. Walters played under coach Thomas at Dodge City Community College from 2016-2017, making a name for himself as a dual-threat quarterback. He then transferred to the University of Sioux Falls, where he led the 19th-ranked offense in Division II college football in 2018. For his University of Sioux Falls career, Walters threw for 4511 yards with 39 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, along with 592 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. In 2023, Walters was a member of the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
One of Walters' top targets this season will be Hunter Rison. Rison played at Michigan State before transferring to Grand Valley State University. Professionally, Rison had stops in the USFL but is now eager to join the AFL for the Storm. He is just 5'11" but has excellent footwork and route running skills.
Another player destined to make an even bigger name for himself is Connor Davis. Davis played defensive end in high school but switched to the offensive side of the ball in college. He will be playing Line for the Storm, and there is no doubt he will be a force. At 6'8" and 254 lbs, it will be difficult to stop him. Davis is a Spring League veteran, having competed in many different leagues. He started his professional career in 2019 with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football. He also had stops with the New York Jets and Clevland Browns. Most recently, Davis played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL.
Southwest Kansas Storm Home Schedule April 20 vs.Wichita Regulators 6:00 PM CT
May 4 vs. Iowa Rampage 5:00 PM CT
May 25 vs. Billings Outlaws 6:00 PM CT
May 25 vs. Salina Liberty 2:00 PM CT
June 15 vs. Washington Wolfpack 2:00 PM CT
June 22 vs. Wichita Regulators 6:00 PM CT
Wichita Regulators
Head Coach - Clinton Solomon
https://www.wichitaksregulators.com
Hartman Arena- Park City, Kansas
Established in 2022, the Wichita Regulators will play their first season as a professional team in 2024. They began in 2022 as an independent semi-pro indoor team and went 5-0 in their inaugural season. In 2023, it was announced that Wichita would be returning to the AFL, making the Regulators the fifth arena team to play in Wichita. They'll join the Stealth, Warlords, Wild, and Force.
Clinton Solomon, one of the youngest coaches in the AFL, is the head coach of the Wichita Regulators. Solomon had a 10+ year professional playing career as a wide receiver, bringing the offensive experience to the Regulators. Coach Solomon even spent three seasons playing in Wichita with the Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League.
The Regulators roster comprises veterans with championship experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and young prospects eager to make a name for themselves.
Key Players Former Louisville Cardinal wide receiver Traveon Samuel will be one of the top targets for the Regulators in 2024. Samuel is on the smaller side for a WR, but his blazing speed and precise route running make him effective. His speed will allow for versatility in this Regulators offense.
Xae Holliday will compete for the quarterback position. He played his college football at Warner University in Florida. Professionally, this is Holliday's first team, having joined the Regulators right from college.
Dreko Statham is another player to keep an eye on, especially on defense. He was a member of the Southwest Kansas Storm during the 2021-2022 CIF season. Statham led the league with 9 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also contributed 43 total tackles. In 2023, Statham was a member of the Sioux Falls Storm of the IFL.
Wichita Regulators Home Schedule
April 8 vs. Salina Liberty (Preseason)
May 6 vs. Salina Liberty
May 13 vs. SW Kansas Storm
June 1 vs. Iowa Rampage
June 8 vs. Philadelphia Soul
June 15 vs. Rapid City Marshals
Arena Football One Stories from April 9, 2024
- Marshals Announce Transactions - Rapid City Marshals
- AFL Central Division Preview and Media Day Recap - AF1
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