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36-556: The Wichita Aviators opened their inaugural 2005 APFL season at home against the Iowa Blackhawks . The Aviators were defeated 40-35 in their first game, as costly turnovers and a 26-point second quarter scoring outburst by the Blackhawks contributed to the loss. Former Kansas State Wildcat quarterback Jonathan Beasley completed 9 of 20 passes for 133 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. One of Beasley's touchdowns

72-563: A 16-yard touchdown pass to Donald Payne in the frustrating home defeat. After the close loss at home to Iowa, the Aviators dropped to second place in the standings with only a few weeks remaining in the regular season. A third regular season meeting between the Aviators and Koyotes occurred on Saturday July 15, 2006 at Landon Arena in Topeka, Kansas. The Aviators defeated the Koyotes 55-44 in

108-525: A convincing 63-6 win at home against the Nebraska Wildcats. Both John Wise and Matt Kelly saw action at quarterback against the Wildcats. Wise scored one 5-yard rushing touchdown, and threw for another 6-yard score to Donald Payne. Kelly completed a 22-yard touchdown to Payne, and found wide receiver Reggie Smith alone in the right corner of the end zone for a 4-yard score on a bootleg play that

144-540: A first-place finish in the final APFL regular season standings for the Aviators, while the Koyotes dropped to second place. As a result of the first-place finish, the Aviators earned the right to host the APFL championship game in Wichita, KS on July 29, 2006. Wichita finished the 2006 regular season with 11 wins and 2 losses. The Kansas Koyotes defeated the Iowa Blackhawks in the first round semi-final playoff game, and

180-481: A fumble 18 yards for a touchdown in the Aviators' loss to the Koyotes. The Koyotes' win placed them in a tie with the Aviators for first place in the regular season standings. The next week, the Aviators played at home against the Iowa Blackhawks in a tight game that took more than four quarters to determine a winner. Earl Henry made a diving interception and returned the ball 49 yards for what appeared to be

216-406: A game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. However, the head linesman ruled Henry down at the Aviators' 1 yard line, and no touchdown was awarded at the end of regulation. The Aviators would go on to lose the game 50-47 in overtime. Reggie Smith scored on a 10-yard run and 47-yard kick return, Idris Elias had rushing touchdowns of 1, 31, and 3 yards, and Matt Kelly completed

252-518: A heated contest. Aviators' quarterback Matt Kelly completed 11 of his 16 pass attempts for 127 yards and 4 touchdowns. Reggie Smith had a big game, hauling in 6 receptions for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns. Idris Elias scored 3 touchdowns on the ground while rushing for 69 yards. Defensively, Earl Henry and defensive back Orlandis Williams each had interceptions. Antoine Williams led the Aviators' defense with 10 tackles, and Henry tallied 9 tackles. On special teams, Ziya Gunnay kicked two key field goals for

288-448: A leaping catch in the end zone over two Blackhawks defenders. Payne finished the night with 4 receptions for 71 yards. Chris Williams recorded 7 receptions for 58 yards and 1 touchdown. Williams' touchdown reception occurred on a gadget play when Jordan Taylor motioned across the formation and received a handoff prior to tossing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Williams in the back of the end zone. The Aviators continued their winning ways after

324-654: A professional indoor football and were a charter member of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League . Based in Topeka, Kansas , the Koyotes played their home games at Landon Arena . The Koyotes began play in 2003 as a professional football team. Before joining the CPIFL, the Koyotes were a charter member of the former American Professional Football League , where they won the league's first six championships. Brian Hebert,

360-472: A touchdown on May 11. Brumagen was replaced by Trever Whiting on July 22, 2013, as the Haymakers Head Coach. Three months later Whiting was dismissed from the organization. On October 28, 2013, Ross was officially announced by the team as the new head coach for the second season of play. After playing in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League for two seasons, the league merged with

396-535: The Kansas Koyotes on April 8, 2006 at the Wichita Ice Center. Former Wyoming University running back Idris Elias carried the ball 22 times for 75 yards and 5 touchdowns in a very physical game against the Koyotes. This was the Koyotes' first loss in team history, as the Topeka, Kansas –based franchise had won 31 straight games in the previous three seasons. The Aviators' next game resulted in

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432-581: The Lincoln Lightning/Capitols which played in the original Indoor Football League (1999–2000), arenafootball2 (2001), and the National Indoor Football League (2002–2006). The Haymakers were last coached by Cory Ross . In 2013, Ross served as an interim head coach after previous coach Dave Brumagen was suspended for the season after pushing an Omaha Beef player to the ground after the player had scored

468-518: The Lone Star Football League to create Champions Indoor Football for the 2015 season, Lincoln was left out of the league. To build the city of Lincoln a top tier indoor football organization on and off the playing field, with a focus on family entertainment and community involvement. The Haymakers name traces its roots as a boxing term for a round-house punch. Nebraska's blue collar work ethic and agricultural base also adds to

504-593: The Missouri Minutemen in the APFL Bowl both times. [1] [2] In the 2005 season, they went undefeated again, albeit being in many close games, winning their third APFL Bowl over the Iowa Blackhawks by a field goal kicked as time expired. [3] . The winning streak lasted 31 games, including exhibition games and post-season games. In 2006 the Koyotes finally lost their first game in Wichita, losing to

540-647: The River City Redemption , won the NIFL title in 2003 and was invited to play an indoor exhibition game against the American Professional Football League champion, Kansas Koyotes . The franchise would become the Iowa Blackhawks in 2004 and joined the APFL. The Blackhawks won back-to-back APFL championships in 2009 and 2010, with their 2009 victory ending the rival Kansas Koyotes six-year run as champions by defeating

576-741: The Wichita Aviators in the season opener. They would lose to the Aviators again, and finish second in the regular-season standings to the Aves. The two teams were going to play for APFL Bowl IV at the Wichita Ice Arena , for reasons that may never be clear, the league moved the game to Landon Arena . These were clear control issues that lead to the demise of the league. In 2007, the Koyotes continued winning all their regular season home games and losing only two road games. They proceeded to win APFL Bowl V against Iowa Blackhawks. During

612-610: The 2014 season. The franchise started as the Council Bluffs Rams founded in 2000 by Jake Hiffernan. The team started in the recreational Nebraska Indoor Football League, playing with football equipment purchased by Hiffernan, then 24, with his first credit card. They played their games indoors in Lincoln for two years before moving to an outdoor eight-man field in Malcolm, Nebraska . The team, which changed its name to

648-452: The APFL championship per league rules. Members of the APFL league office refused to let Wichita host the championship even after Aviators' general manager Mike McCoy contacted the league office demanding that the game be played in Wichita as originally scheduled. Aviators' players unanimously voted to forfeit playing the championship game if it was not held in Wichita. APFL commissioner Darcy Childs and league owner Ralph Adams decided to award

684-701: The Aviators rebounded to win five consecutive games, and eventually qualified for the 2005 APFL playoffs after defeating the Missouri Minutemen 49-14 in Sedalia, MO on June 25. In this game, 28 unanswered points were scored by the Aviators in the first quarter. John Wise started at quarterback for the Aviators, and scored the initial touchdown of the game on a 1-yard plunge. Wise later added another rushing touchdown, and completed touchdown passes of 26 and 22 yards to 6'5" wide receiver Donald Payne. Earl Henry and Carl Richardson made an impact on special teams, as both players returned missed field goals for scores. Following

720-504: The Aviators' direction when he weaved his way to the end zone on a 41-yard interception return to decrease the deficit. Phillip Baron's 2-yard touchdown run as time expired in the fourth quarter silenced the crowd and gave the Aviators an emphatic victory in what proved to be a very exciting game. John Wise completed 13 of his 23 pass attempts for 149 yards and 1 touchdown. Donald Payne hauled in Wise's lone touchdown pass of 43 yards when he made

756-417: The Aviators. An on-field melee ensued upon completion of the game when Kansas Koyotes head coach Jim Green was punched after grabbing and pushing Wichita Aviators wide receiver Donald Payne. The skirmish was reviewed by league commissioner Darcy Childs, and suspensions were issued to both Green and Payne. The tough win gave the Aviators a 2-1 series advantage over the Koyotes. Ultimately, this victory secured

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792-412: The CPIFL, they finally took on true teams at a professional level, that lead to a 2-22 finish over their final two seasons. The Koyotes were up against competition at a true professional level after their years in the APFL. The Koyotes announced after the 2014 season ended that they would leave the CPIFL and play 2015 as an independent team, playing eight home games. None of these games were played and

828-689: The Koyotes in the APFL Championship Game. The Blackhawks won the game in dominating fashion with a 63–17 victory over the Koyotes. Citing financial concerns, Hiffernan sold the team in 2011 to local businessman John Jerkovich in an attempt to keep it in Council Bluffs. Brad Lindgren and Justin Hayes purchased the franchise and changed its name to the Council Bluffs Express . Lindgren and Hayes were actually exploring

864-422: The Koyotes were scheduled to play the championship game against the top seeded Aviators in Wichita on July 29. However, the APFL unexpectedly announced that the championship game would be moved to Topeka, Kansas . Players, coaches, and staff from the Aviators viewed the league's decision to move the championship game from Wichita to Topeka as unfair and unprofessional since the top seeded playoff team always hosted

900-1096: The Omaha Beef before the 2014 season. The Haymakers finished 5–7 in 2014 and failed to make the playoffs. The Haymakers' ceased operations after the 2014 season. 2014 All-CPIFL Team Member K Benny Hanaphy 2013 CPIFL Best Media Relations and Social Media Award [CPIFL Players of the Week] Week 1, 2013 DB Cortney Grixby (Defense) Week 2, 2013 DB Cortney Grixby (Special Teams) Week 9, 2013 DB Cortney Grixby (Special Teams) Week 13, 2013 WR Shane Scott (Offense) Week 14, 2013 LB Willie Horn (Defense) Week 3, 2014 RB Travis Ribbing (Offense) Week 7, 2014 ATH Wayne Jacobs (Special Teams) Week 9, 2014 DL Marcus Miles (Defense) Week 10, 2014 DL Antonio Ficklin (Defense) [2013 All-CPIFL Team Members] WR Nick Rhodes DB Cortney Grixby Head coach Offensive coaches Defensive coaches Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Defensive backs Kickers Kansas Koyotes The Kansas Koyotes , founded by Ralph Adams, were

936-547: The championship to the Koyotes, and the 2006 APFL championship game was never played. 2006 Schedule and Scores 2005 roster 2006 roster Iowa Blackhawks The Lincoln Haymakers were a professional indoor football team based in Lincoln, Nebraska . The Haymakers played their 2013–2014 home games at the Pershing Center . The Haymakers were the second indoor football team to call Lincoln home, following

972-594: The franchise to Lincoln, where they play as the Lincoln Haymakers . Lincoln's first year in the [CPIFL] failed to qualify for the playoffs with a 4–8 record. However, 7 of Lincoln's 8 losses came to playoff teams as the Haymakers had the #2 toughest schedule in the CPIFL. In the fall of 2013, Rich Tokhiem, who also owns the Omaha Beef indoor football team, purchased the Haymakers. Under Tokhiem's ownership, Lincoln traded their best player DB Courtney Grixby to

1008-564: The possibility of starting an expansion franchise in Lincoln prior to last season, but optioned to purchase the Blackhawks when Jerkovich offered the team to them instead. The Express competed in the 2012 APFL Championship game before falling short to the Sioux City Bandits. Following the 2012 APFL season the franchise was purchased by Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development of the Winnebago Tribe . The ownership group moved

1044-433: The running back coach, dominated with five great running backs, led by Donnell Smith, and propelled the team to its first championship in 2003, which opened the door for future Koyotes championship teams. Former Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champion Clayton Holmes played for the Koyotes in 2003. In their first four years of existence, the Koyotes dominated the APFL. They went undefeated in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, beating

1080-577: The season, the Koyotes signed Abby Vestal as their kicker. On April 23, Vestal kicked three PATs, becoming the first woman to score points in a professional men's football game. Vestal, who signed a soccer scholarship for 2007 with Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, would kick 6-9 PATs and go 0-2 in FGs. Starting with the 2013 season, the Koyotes joined the Champions Professional Indoor Football League for two years. After joining

1116-460: The second quarter. On special teams, a safety was scored when defensive lineman Ricky Gottschalk blocked a field goal out of the end zone. After the easy home win over the Nebraska Wildcats, the Aviators traveled to Council Bluffs, IA and defeated the Iowa Blackhawks 51-48 for their first road win of the 2006 season. The Aviators entered the fourth quarter trailing the Blackhawks by 17 points, but linebacker Earl Henry eventually swung momentum in

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1152-461: The significance of the Haymakers name. Lincoln's Arena, the Pershing Center , is located near a historic region in Lincoln named the Haymarket . The Haymakers mascot is a Black Stallion named HayWire who is officially listed as #85 on the team roster. The Cheerleaders are officially known as the "Haymakers' Knockouts" The Haymakers dropped cheerleaders after Rich Tokhiem purchased the team before

1188-512: The victory in Iowa, and were undefeated with a first place record of 7-0 before meeting the Kansas Koyotes for a second time in the 2006 season. On June 10, 2006, the Koyotes handed Wichita their first loss of the season, beating the Aviators 37-34 at Landon Arena in Topeka, Kansas . Idris Elias rushed for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries, Reggie Smith snagged a 33-yard touchdown pass from John Wise, and defensive back Jess Langvardt returned

1224-533: The win at Missouri, and a Nebraska Bears loss to the Iowa Blackhawks , the Aviators clinched the third seed in the playoffs with a regular season record of 5 wins and 5 losses. Wichita lost their semifinal playoff game 50-42 to the Iowa Blackhawks at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA . 2005 Schedule and Scores The Wichita Aviators opened the 2006 season with a 50-43 win over

1260-424: Was a 46-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Williams, and the other was a 7-yard toss to running back Carl Richardson. Beasley also produced on the ground, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Chris Williams was the Aviators' leading receiver for the opening game with 72 receiving yards. Wichita would lose its next three games, starting the season in disappointing fashion with a record of 0 wins and 4 losses. However,

1296-407: Was designed for Kelly to run the ball. Aviators' wide receiver Jordan Taylor had touchdown runs of 4 and 26 yards, and running back Phillip Baron added touchdown runs of 1 and 4 yards. Several big plays were made on defense and special teams for the Aviators. Defensive back JJ McCoy intercepted the Wildcats' first pass attempt, and Earl Henry flattened a Wildcats' ball carrier in the open field during

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