For Allner, It's Been a Long Road

Published on August 21, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

TULSA, Okla. - A four-year veteran finally getting a shot at the championship may sound a little weird in a league where players rarely stay for long periods of time, but that is exactly what Mitch Allner is and it is exactly what he is getting this weekend as he and the Tulsa Talons prepare to take on the Macon Knights for the 2003 ArenaCup championship.

A much-traveled player from Morningside College, Allner is playing for his third team in af2. He began his pursuit of an af2 championship in 2000 when he had a brief stint in Davenport, Iowa with the Quad City Steamwheelers. Allner participated in a couple of games as a wide receiver/linebacker with Quad City catching five passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Allner injured his hamstring in his first game with the Steamwheelers and then played the second game with the injury. The injury proved to be too much and Allner decided to leave the team after his second game so he could go home and get healthy.

The next season Allner traveled down the road to Des Moines, Iowa to play for the Iowa Barnstormers. Allner came to the Barnstormers in the fourth game of the season, as the team was looking for answers after a 0-3 start. They found the help they needed as Allner hauled in 85 passes for 1,134 yards and 29 touchdowns for a team that finished 9-7. Iowa suspended operations after the 2002 season and once again Allner was on the road in search of a new team and in pursuit of the championship. After that season, Allner signed a contract to play for the Oklahoma Wranglers of the Arena Football League (AFL). Although he signed with the Wranglers, Allner never played a game as the team was contracted. Allner was once again in search of a new team and still in search of the championship.

His search came to an end and he landed in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the Tulsa Talons. Allner became familiar with Tulsa early in his career before he ever played in Quad City.

"I tried out for them before I went to Quad City, so I was familiar with them, but I didn't know a whole lot about them," said Allner. "I needed to make a quick decision and they were close to home and to be honest I probably would have went to play for Quad City but since they couldn't play in the playoffs, I chose Tulsa."

Allner helped guide the high-flying Talons offense to a 14-2 record and a berth in the af2 playoffs. With Allner leading the way, the Talons offense ranked first in the league in scoring offense, first in touchdowns scored, sixth in total offense, and second in total offensive touchdowns.

"We had a great group of guys last season," said Allner. "They played hard and we had great team chemistry."

Tulsa would lose in the second round of the playoffs to the Birmingham Steeldogs and Allner's chance at a championship would have to wait one more year.

Allner was named the af2 Offensive Player of the Year as he put up league leading numbers in several categories. He led the league in touchdowns with 42 (35 receiving, 6 kickoff returns, and 1 rushing), his 266 points were the third most in af2 history, he ranked fifth in all purpose yards (2,695), third in receptions (128), fifth in receiving yards (1,563) and second in receiving touchdowns (35).

"I was surprised when I won the award," said Allner. "This is an award that usually goes to a quarterback who is putting up big numbers. But even with the award, when you lose that last game of the season, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

After last seasons award winning campaign, the call came from the Arena Football League and Allner was once again on the road trying to break onto a new team, earn a spot on an AFL roster, and get a shot at a championship. Allner had workouts with several AFL teams, but went to camp with the Las Vegas Gladiators under former Quad City head coach Frank Haege. Allner failed to make the team and was on the road back to the af2 and the Tulsa Talons.

"Of course, I was disappointed, but Las Vegas was a good experience for me," said Allner.

On his way back to Tulsa this season, Allner had one request of his coach, to be moved to a two-way position so he could showcase his versatility for AFL teams.

"It was not a tough decision to make to move Mitch to wide receiver/linebacker," said Talons head coach Skip Foster. "It was a request that he had made and he has been an impact player on both sides of the ball this year for us."

With the additions of Tacoma Fontaine and Shon King this season, moving Allner made the Talons more of a threat in the league. Allner has battled some injuries this season, but has continued to put up impressive stats. In 14 games this season, Allner has compiled 67 catches for 941 yards and 24 touchdowns. On June 28th, he became the af2's all-time leading scorer, scoring his 610th career point, surpassing Birmingham's Wayne Thomas who held the previous mark at 606 points. Defensively, he added 15 tackles (six unassisted and 18 assisted), one tackle for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and ten pass breakups.

So after 46 career regular season games and four playoff games, the af2's all-time leading scorer is on the verge of winning his first af2 championship.

"I have always imagined myself getting to a point like this, and I am really looking forward to this game," said Allner.

So for this much traveled veteran of arenafootball2, the long road to a shot at the championship is finally here.

arenafootball2 Stories from August 21, 2003

• Steamwheelers Office/Team Shop Closed August 22nd - Quad City Steamwheelers
• For Allner, It's Been a Long Road - af2

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