2022 National Arena League season
2022 NAL season | |
---|---|
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League | National Arena League |
Sport | Indoor American football |
Number of teams | 6 |
Regular season | |
Season champions | Albany Empire |
2022 NAL Championship | |
Champions | Albany Empire |
Runners-up | Carolina Cobras |
NAL seasons | |
← 2021 |
The 2022 National Arena League season was the fifth season of the National Arena League (NAL).[1] The league played with only six teams mostly based in the Eastern United States, with one new team arriving from the American Arena League, the San Antonio Gunslingers, based in Texas.[2] The season ended with the Albany Empire, Carolina Cobras, Columbus Lions, and Jacksonville Sharks qualifying for the playoffs[3] and the Albany Empire winning the championship.[4]
Ironman football
For the season, the league re-introduced ironman football rules.[5] This concept had previously been used by the Arena Football League from 1987 up to 2007.[5] Ironman football is a variant that allows players to play in both the offense and the defense for the game.[6] Only two players from the offense, two players from the defense, and one player from the special teams can have a player who has their position for just one side of the ball.[6] The stated goal of the ironman football rules is to see players become more creative by showing their skills on offense and defense.[6]
Teams
For 2022, the NAL consisted of six teams without conferences or divisions. Each team played 12 games, six home and six away, with the exception of the Carolina Cobras and the Jacksonville Sharks who both played 14 games,[7][8][9] seven home and seven away.[10][11] During the season, there were two byes given out,[7] with the exception of the Carolina Cobras and the Jacksonville Sharks, where they do not get a bye week.[7]
Teams | Location | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head Coach |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albany Empire | Albany, New York | MVP Arena[12] | 13,000[13] | 2020 | 2021 | Tom Menas |
Carolina Cobras | Greensboro, North Carolina[14] | Greensboro Coliseum Complex[15][16] | 5,000[15] | 2018[16] | 2018 | Josh Resignalo |
Columbus Lions | Columbus, Georgia | Columbus Civic Center[17] | 10,000 | 2006 | 2017 | Jason Gibson |
Jacksonville Sharks | Jacksonville, Florida | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena[18] | 15,000 | 2009 | 2017 | Siaha Burley |
Orlando Predators | Orlando, Florida | Amway Center | 20,000 | 2019 | 2019 | Jeff Higgins |
San Antonio Gunslingers | San Antonio, Texas | Freeman Coliseum[19] | 11,700 | 2020 | 2021[20] | Fred Shaw[21] |
Reference for teams in 2022:[22]
Standings
Team | Win | Loss | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
z – Albany Empire | 8 | 4 | .667 | 717 | 619 | W4 |
y – Carolina Cobras | 9 | 5 | .643 | 725 | 676 | W1 |
x – Columbus Lions | 7 | 5 | .583 | 576 | 554 | W3 |
x – Jacksonville Sharks | 7 | 7 | .500 | 707 | 663 | L2 |
e – San Antonio Gunslingers | 4 | 8 | .333 | 647 | 720 | L1 |
e – Orlando Predators | 3 | 9 | .250 | 492 | 632 | L6 |
z – clinched home field advantage
y – clinched home playoff game
e – eliminated from playoffs
Reference:[3][23]
Playoffs
Semifinal | 2022 NAL Championship | ||||||||
1 | Albany Empire | 68 | |||||||
4 | Jacksonville Sharks | 67 | |||||||
1 | Albany Empire | 47 | |||||||
2 | Carolina Cobras | 20 | |||||||
2 | Carolina Cobras | 65 | |||||||
3 | Columbus Lions | 51 |
Reference:[3][4][24][25]
Controversies
- In a game between the Orlando Predators and the San Antonio Gunslingers, after official Andrew McGrath got injured and taken to the hospital in the second quarter due to a broken clavicle and a face laceration, and there were only four referees left. In the fourth quarter, with 24 seconds left, a Gunslinger was close to the end zone, and one referee signaled touchdown while the other signaled him short of the goal line, however, the clock kept until the time was out while the referees were discussing the play. After review, the runner was short of the goal line. The clock was set to four seconds left, however, per league rules there was a 10 second run-off since the ball was not spotted before the previous play. The Gunslingers then scored the game-winning play. After a review by commissioner Chris Siegfried, the lead official, and the supervisor of officials, they decided that that was the correct call.[26]
- In a game between the Jacksonville Sharks and the San Antonio Gunslingers, Jacksonville player Devin Wilson hit official Gary Vaught from behind. The player was suspended indefinitely.[27][28]
Awards
Players of the Week
Weeks | Offensive Player of the Week | Defensive Player of the Week | Special Team Player of the Week | Ironman Player of the Week |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Devin Wilson, Jacksonville Sharks | Walter Thomas, Carolina Cobras | Darius Prince, Albany Empire (1/4) | Jarmon Fortson, Columbus Lions |
2 | Sam Castronova, Albany Empire (1/3) | Rob Jones, Jacksonville Sharks | Marc Orozco, Albany Empire (1/3) | Darius Prince, Albany Empire (2/4) |
3 | Darius Prince, Albany Empire (3/4) | Cris Page, Carolina Cobras (1/2) | Marc Orozco, Albany Empire (2/3) | Zack Brown, Carolina Cobras (1/2) |
4 | Malik Henry, Jacksonville Sharks | Kwan Stallworth, Jacksonville Sharks | TC Stevens, Carolina Cobras (1/3) | Miles Kelly, Jacksonville Sharks |
5 | Darius Prince, Albany Empire (4/4) | Cris Page, Carolina Cobras (2/2) | Marc Orozco, Albany Empire (3/3) | Dwayne Hollis, Albany Empire |
6 | Rakeem Cato, Orlando Predators | Droell Greene, Columbus Lions | Cody Barber, Jacksonville Sharks | Anthony Johnson, Jacksonville Sharks |
7 | Arvell Nelson, Jacksonville Sharks | Rodney Hall Jr., Columbus Lions | TC Stevens, Carolina Cobras (2/3) | Zack Brown, Carolina Cobras (2/2) |
8 | Robert Kent, San Antonio Gunslingers (1/2) | Kenny Starks, Columbus Lions | Darien Townsend, Columbus Lions (1/2) | Darien Townsend, Columbus Lions (2/2) |
9 | Robert Kent, San Antonio Gunslingers (2/2) | Droell Greene, Columbus Lions | Daniel Justino, Orlando Predators | Kendrick Ings, Carolina Cobras |
10 | Sam Castronova, Albany Empire (2/3) | Marvin Ross, Albany Empire | Drew Pearson, San Antonio Gunslingers | Trevon Shorts, Albany Empire |
11 | Sam Castronova, Albany Empire (3/3) | Joshua Jenkins, Orlando Predators | TC Stevens, Carolina Cobras (3/3) | DJ Myers, Carolina Cobras |
12 | Mason Espinosa, Columbus Lions | Maurice Leggett, Columbus Lions | Nick Belcher, Orlando Predators | Kamrin Solomon, Jacksonville Sharks |
Reference:[29][30]
The 2022 All-National Arena League Team
2022 All-NAL Second Team
Offense
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
QB | Robert Kent | San Antonio Gunslingers | Back-to-back 2022 Offensive Player of the Week. |
FB | Pierre Turner | San Antonio Gunslingers | |
WR | Khali Rashaad | San Antonio Gunslingers | |
WR | DJ Myers | Carolina Cobras | |
WR | Phillip Barnett | San Antonio Gunslingers | |
OL | Dashawn Johnson | Carolina Cobras | |
OL | Brandon Turner | Columbus Lions | |
C | Melvin Hollins | Albany Empire |
Defense
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
ML | Zack Brown | Carolina Cobras | Two time 2022 Ironman Player of the Week. |
WL | Trevon Shorts | Albany Empire | 2022 Ironman Player of the Week. |
DB | Delvon Randall | Orlando Predators | |
DB | Maurice Leggett | Orlando Predators | |
DB | Droell Green | Columbus Lions | |
DE | Chei Hill | Jacksonville Sharks | |
DE | Larry Ford | Carolina Cobras | |
DT | Kwan Stallworth | Jacksonville Sharks |
Special Teams
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
K | Marc Orzoco | Albany Empire | Three time 2022 Special Team Player of the Week. |
KR | Darien Townsend | Columbus Lions |
Reference:[31]
2022 All-NAL First Team
Offense
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
QB | Sam Castronova | Albany Empire | Three time 2022 Offensive Player of the Week. |
FB | Zack Brown | Carolina Cobras | Two time 2022 Ironman Player of the Week. |
WR | Darius Prince | Albany Empire | Two time 2022 Offensive Player of the Week, 2022 Special Team Player of the Week, and 2022 Ironman Player of the Week. |
WR | Nyqwan Murray | Jacksonville Sharks | |
WR | Darien Townsend | Columbus Lions | 2022 Special Teams Player of the Week, 2022 Ironman Player of the Week. |
OL | Cornelius Lewis | Albany Empire | |
OL | Faleoga Russell | Jacksonville Sharks | |
C | Derrick Zeigler | Carolina Cobras |
Defense
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
ML | Kerry Starks | Columbus Lions | |
WL | DJ Myers | Carolina Cobras | 2022 Ironman Player of the Week |
DB | Josh Jenkins | Orlando Predators | |
DB | Markus Smith | Jacksonville Sharks | |
DB | Dwayne Hollis | Albany Empire | 2022 Ironman Player of the Week |
DE | Ken Washington | Columbus Lions | |
DE | Justin Alexandre | San Antonio Gunslingers | |
DT | Walter Thomas | Carolina Cobras | 2022 Defensive Player of the Week |
Special Teams
Position | Player | Team | Former PotW awards |
---|---|---|---|
K | TC Stevens | Carolina Cobras | Three time 2022 Special Teams Player of the Week |
KR | Kali Rashaad | San Antonio Gunslingers |
Reference:[32]
References
- ^ "About the NAL - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "NAL Announces San Antonio Gunslingers as Expansion Franchise". XFL Newsroom. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b c "News: Playoff Preview - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ a b "The NAL Becomes the New Home for Ironman Football". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b c Rubel, Abigail (2022-06-29). "Here's what Albany Empire players, fans say about NAL's two-way play". Times Union. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Stats - San Antonio Gunslingers". www.sanantoniogunslingers.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Stats - San Antonio Gunslingers". www.sanantoniogunslingers.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Stats - Jacksonville Sharks". www.jaxsharks.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Stats - Jacksonville Sharks". www.jaxsharks.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ Singelais, Mark (2021-12-22). "Albany Empire's 2022 schedule is announced". Times Union. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "MVP Arena". www.albany.org. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Carolina Cobras - Indoor/Arena Football on OurSports Central". www.oursportscentral.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ a b "Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center". Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ a b "Carolina Cobras Arena Football". Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Lions | Columbus Civic Center". civiccenter.columbusga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Jacksonville Sharks". Downtown Jacksonville. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ Ramirez, Daniel Villanueva, Mark Mendez, Larry (2022-04-22). "The San Antonio Gunslingers are headed to Freeman Coliseum". KSAT. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Rachuk, Stephan (2021-11-11). "NAL Announces San Antonio Gunslingers as Expansion Franchise". XFL Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Staff - San Antonio Gunslingers". www.sanantoniogunslingers.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "Stats - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
- ^ "News: NAL Statement Regarding Friday's Orlando vs San Antonio Game - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "News: NAL Incident Report Regarding Week 13 - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ Badillo, Andrew (July 21, 2022). "Sharks top wideout Devin Wilson indefinitely suspended by NAL after altercation with a referee". firstcoastnews.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Players of the Week - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "News: THE EMPIRE LEAVES JACKSONVILLE IN WEEK TWO WITH THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Team for Rob Jones. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- ^ "News: 2022 All-NAL Second Team Announced - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
- ^ "News: 2022 All-NAL First Team Announced - National Arena League". www.nationalarenaleague.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
See also
- v
- t
- e
- Amarillo Civic Center (Amarillo)
- American Bank Center (Corpus Christi)
- Blue Arena (Colorado)
- Columbus Civic Center (Columbus)
- Ford Idaho Center (Idaho)
- Greensboro Coliseum Complex (Carolina)
- Hirsch Memorial Coliseum (Shreveport)
- Liberty First Credit Union Arena (Omaha)
- Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center (Harrisburg)
- Tyson Events Center (Sioux City)
- WesBanco Arena (Wheeling)
- Albany Empire (2021–2023)
- Corpus Christi Rage (2017)
- Dayton Wolfpack (2017)
- Fayetteville Mustangs (2023)
- Georgia Firebirds (2017)
- High Country Grizzlies (2017)
- Jacksonville Sharks (2017–2023)
- Jersey Flight (2020–2021)
- Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2017–2018)
- Maine Mammoths (2018)
- Massachusetts Pirates (2018–2020)
- Monterrey Steel (2017)
- New York Streets (2019)
- Oklahoma Flying Aces (2024)
- Orlando Predators (2019–2023)
- San Antonio Gunslingers (2022–2023)
- West Texas Warbirds (2023)
- West Virginia Roughriders (2020)
- Albany Civic Center (Georgia)
- Amway Center (Orlando)
- Arena Monterrey (Monterrey)
- Chisholm Trail Coliseum (Oklahoma)
- Cross Insurance Arena (Maine)
- Crown Coliseum (Fayetteville)
- CURE Insurance Arena (Jersey)
- DCU Center (Massachusetts)
- Ector County Coliseum (West Texas)
- Freeman Coliseum (San Antonio)
- George M. Holmes Convocation Center (High Country)
- MVP Arena (Albany)
- PPL Center (Lehigh Valley)
- VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville)
- Westchester County Center (New York)