2015 Salina Bombers season

The 2015 Salina Bombers season was the team's third and final season as a professional indoor football franchise and first as a member of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). One of nine teams in the CIF for the inaugural 2015 season, the Salina Bombers were owned by Chris Vercher. The Force played their home games at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas, under the direction of head coach Bob Ray. The season ended abruptly on May 28, 2015, after the CIF ejected the team from the league and the team subsequently folded entirely.

2015 Salina Bombers season
Owner	Chris Vercher[1]
General manager	Pete Jackson
Head coach	Bob Ray
Home field	Bicentennial Center 800 The Midway Salina, Kansas 67401
Results
Record	6-5
League place	6th
Playoff finish	did not qualify
← 2014 Salina Bombers

Season summary

The Bombers' announced schedule for the 2015 season was altered after the New Mexico Stars abruptly postponed their entry into the league on February 21, just one week before the season began.^[2] On March 3, the Albuquerque-based Duke City Gladiators were announced as a late entry into the league, partially replacing the Stars in the CIF schedule with a plan to play 11 games in 2015.^[3]

Salina started 2015 with a preseason win over cross-state rivals Kansas Koyotes and three straight regular season victories over CIF opponents. A mid-March loss to league-leading Sioux City Bandits was followed by a victory over the cellar-dwelling Omaha Beef. The Bombers then lost 3 straight, won 2 in a row, and lost in overtime on the road at the Wichita Force. This loss dropped them to 6–5 and put their playoff chances in doubt leading into their bye week.

The Bombers league membership was suspended by the CIF on May 28, with safety and financial concerns cited for the suspension. Later that same day, the team announced that it was ceasing operations immediately and would issue refunds to ticket holders.^[4][5][6] The Salina Journal reported that a lack of workers' compensation insurance for the players led the coach to suspend practices and the CIF to suspend the franchise.^[1]

Off-field moves

After the 2014 season ended, the Champions Professional Indoor Football League announced it was merging with teams from other leagues to form a new league, Champions Indoor Football.^[7] The Bombers are one of four CPIFL teams to join the CIF, alongside the Dodge City Law, Omaha Beef, and Sioux City Bandits.^[8][9]

Awards and honors

Each week of the regular season, the CIF named league-wide Players of the Week in offensive, defensive, and special teams categories. For Week 1, the CIF named defensive back Isiah Barfield as the Defensive Player of the Week.^[10] For Week 3, the CIF named quarterback Chris Coffin as the Offensive Player of the Week and kick returner OJ Simpson as the Special Teams Player of the Week.^[11] For Week 4, the CIF named kicker Thomas Frevert as the Special Teams Player of the Week.^[12] For Week 6, the CIF named defensive linesman Clarence Bumpass as the Defensive Player of the Week.^[13] For Week 10, the CIF again named quarterback Chris Coffin as the Offensive Player of the Week.^[14] For Week 11, the CIF once again named quarterback Chris Coffin as the Offensive Player of the Week and defensive back Isiah Barfield as the Defensive Player of the Week.^[15]

On June 6, Bombers quarterback Chris Coffin was honored as the CIF's Offensive Player of the Year.^[16]

Schedule

Key:   Win   Tie   Loss   Bye

Pre-season

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Location
					Score	Record
1	Sunday	February 22	3:00pm	Kansas Koyotes	W 62–23[17]	1–0	Bicentennial Center[9]

Regular season

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	Opponent	Results		Location
					Score	Record
1	Saturday	February 28	7:05pm	at Wichita Force	W 64–61[18]	1–0	Intrust Bank Arena[19][20]
2	Saturday	March 7	7:05pm	Texas Revolution	W 34–27[21][22]	2–0	Bicentennial Center[23][24]
3	Saturday	March 14	7:05pm	at Omaha Beef	W 47–33[25][26]	3–0	Ralston Arena[27][28]
4	Saturday	March 21	7:05pm	at Sioux City Bandits	L 59–73[29][30][31]	3–1	Tyson Events Center[32][33]
5	Saturday	March 28	7:05pm	Omaha Beef	W 49–7[34][35]	4–1	Bicentennial Center[36][37]
6	Saturday	April 4	7:05pm	Dodge City Law	L 43–47[38][39]	4–2	Bicentennial Center[40]
7	BYE
8	Saturday	April 18	7:05pm	at Sioux City Bandits	L 56–79[41][42]	4–3	Tyson Events Center[43][44]
9	Saturday	April 25	7:05pm	Wichita Force	L 32–45[45][46]	4–4	Bicentennial Center[47]
10	Saturday	May 2	7:05pm	at Dodge City Law	W 55–48[48][49]	5–4	United Wireless Arena[50]
11	Saturday	May 9	7:05pm	Omaha Beef	W 59–13[51][52]	6–4	Bicentennial Center[53][54]
12	Saturday	May 16	7:05pm	at Wichita Force	L 40–46 (OT)[55][56]	6–5	Intrust Bank Arena[57][58]
13	BYE
14	Saturday	May 30	7:05pm	San Angelo Bandits	CANCELLED2	–	Bicentennial Center
15	Saturday	June 6	7:05pm	at Duke City Gladiators	CANCELLED2	–	Santa Ana Star Center1

¹ Duke City alternate home site as Tingley Coliseum was unavailable in June^[59]
2 Game cancelled after Salina Bombers ejected from league on May 28, 2015.^[4][5]

Roster

2015 Salina Bombers roster
Quarterbacks  2 Kyle Cool Running backs 33 Quentin Benning  3 Jeff Mack Wide receivers 12 Jared Elmore  7 Anthony Parks  - Julius Record 20 O. J. Simpson  5 Attrail Snipes		Offensive linemen 90 Marcus Bolden 56 Rodney Ewing 55 Edward Prince -- Jeremy Walker Defensive linemen 45 Adam Davis 11 Brandon Harold 88 Brandon McKinney		Linebackers  6 Clarence Bumpas  7 Tyus Jackson  4 Justiss Scales Defensive backs 19 Isiah Barfield -- Delaney Dobard -- DaMonte Horton Kickers 81 Terry Stecker		Injured Reserve 13 Ira Autrey DB Transfer List 11 Tommy Frevert K Refuse to Report currently vacant rookies in italics updated March 5, 2015 20 Active, 0 Inactive

Standings

2015 Champions Indoor Football
view talk edit	W	L	PCT	PF	PA
z-Sioux City Bandits	9	3	.750	697	536
y-Texas Revolution	8	4	.667	638	475
x-Wichita Force	8	4	.667	553	536
x-Amarillo Venom	7	5	.583	647	598
Dodge City Law	7	5	.583	635	578
Salina Bombers	6	5	.545	538	483
Duke City Gladiators	4	4	.500	403	389
San Angelo Bandits	1	10	.091	388	627
Omaha Beef	1	11	.083	395	672

x = clinched playoffs, y = clinched home playoffs, z = clinched top seed

Playoffs

	Semifinals					Champions Bowl I
	3	Wichita	27
	2	Texas	39
						2	Texas	61
						1	Sioux City	76
	4	Amarillo	52
	1	Sioux City	83

References

1. Davidson, Bob (May 29, 2015). "Bombs Away". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
2. Christ, Bob (February 22, 2015). "NM Stars owners pull plug on season". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
3. "CIF Enjoys Relief and Balance with Replacement Team in New Mexico". Champions Indoor Football. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015 – via Our Sports Central.
4. Copp, Jake (May 28, 2015). "Salina Bombers dissolving football team". Salina, KS: KWCH-DT. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
5. "Salina Bombers Suspended from CIF". Champions Indoor Football. May 28, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015 – via Our Sports Central.
6. "Salina Bombers Drop The Big One: Team Folds". Salina, KS: KSAL. May 28, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
7. Krieger, Dan (September 22, 2014). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". Our Sports Central. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
8. "Bombers begin to mold 2015 team". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. November 6, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
9. Davidson, Bob (January 22, 2015). "Bombers for Sunday". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
10. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 1". Champions Indoor Football. March 4, 2015. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
11. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 3". Champions Indoor Football. March 18, 2015. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
12. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 4". Champions Indoor Football. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
13. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 6". Champions Indoor Football. April 8, 2015. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
14. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 10". Champions Indoor Football. May 6, 2015. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
15. "CIF Players of the Week - Week 11". Champions Indoor Football. May 13, 2015. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
16. Grant, Ethan (June 8, 2015). "CIF announces end-of-year awards; Revs notch multiple honors". Allen American. Allen, TX: Star Local News. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
17. Davidson, Bob (February 23, 2015). "Bombers-Koyotes". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
18. Lutz, Jeffrey (February 28, 2015). "Salina rallies past Force football team in inaugural game". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
19. Lutz, Jeffrey (February 23, 2015). "Force indoor team prepares for Saturday opener at Intrust Bank Arena". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
20. Davidson, Bob (February 28, 2015). "Bombers open today at Wichita". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
21. "Texas Revolution @ Salina Bombers - Mar 7th @ 7:05 pm". Champions Indoor Football. March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015 – via ScoreStream.
22. Davidson, Bob (March 7, 2015). "Bombers topple Texas". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
23. "Texas Revolution Update" (Press release). Allen, TX: Texas Revolution. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015 – via Our Sports Central.
24. Davidson, Bob (March 7, 2015). "Bombers home opener tonight". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
25. "Bombers barbecue Beef". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. March 14, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
26. Perera, Tim (March 14, 2015). "Turnovers cost Beef in tight game vs. Bombers". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. p. 13C. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
27. "Bombers advance". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. March 14, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
28. Rubek, Nick (March 13, 2015). "Beef set to face Bombers Saturday". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. p. 9C. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
29. "Bandits rout Bombers". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. March 21, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
30. Poe, Barry (March 21, 2015). "Bandits get back on track with win over Salina". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, IA: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
31. Freund, Mark (March 21, 2015). "Bandits hand Salina first loss of season behind Dowdell's eight total touchdowns". Sioux City, IA: KTIV. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
32. "Bombers-Bandits advance". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. March 20, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
33. Poe, Barry (March 20, 2015). "Bandits look to regroup against unbeaten Salina". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, IA: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
34. "Beef fall against Salina, remain winless on season". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. March 28, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
35. Green, Arne (March 29, 2015). "Bombers blitz Omaha". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
36. Rubek, Nick (March 27, 2015). "Beef hit the road to face Salina". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. p. 11C. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
37. "Bombers to face Beef for 2nd time". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. March 28, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
38. Davidson, Bob (April 4, 2015). "Bombers lose to DC". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
39. Curtis, John (April 4, 2015). "Law halt Bombers, take share of league lead". Dodge City Daily Globe. Dodge City, KS: GateHouse Media. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
40. Davidson, Bob (April 4, 2015). "Bombers prepared to fight the Law". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
41. "Bombers surrender franchise-record 79 points". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. April 19, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
42. Freund, Mark (April 18, 2015). "Bandits get back in win column with victory over Salina". Sioux City, IA: KTIV. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
43. Davidson, Bob (April 18, 2015). "Rested Bombers ready to play again". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
44. Gonzalez, Jordan (April 18, 2015). "Siouxland Cub Scouts serve, have fun at Sioux City Bandits overnight camp". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, IA: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
45. "New QBs help Force win at Salina". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. April 25, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
46. Davidson, Bob (April 25, 2015). "Bombers fizzle". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
47. Lutz, Jeffrey (April 24, 2015). "Force tries to work through three injured quarterbacks". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
48. "Bombers-Law". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. May 2, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
49. Curtis, John (May 4, 2015). "Law falls to Bombers, still leads CIF". Dodge City Daily Globe. Dodge City, KS: GateHouse Media. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
50. Davidson, Bob (May 2, 2015). "Bombers's Ray: 'Do your job'". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
51. Davidson, Bob (May 10, 2015). "Bombers butcher Beef". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
52. "Beef fall to Salina after slow second half". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
53. Davidson, Bob (May 9, 2015). "Hungry Bombers face Beef again". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
54. Rubek, Nick (May 8, 2015). "Beef take to the road to face Salina". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE: Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
55. "Bombers lose to Force". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
56. Adame, Tony (May 16, 2015). "Force rallies to win on 49-yard interception return in overtime". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
57. Davidson, Bob (May 16, 2015). "Bombers not sure what to expect". The Salina Journal. Salina, KS: Harris Enterprises. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
58. Lutz, Jeffrey (May 15, 2015). "Tywon Hubbard is a reliable back for the Force". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
59. Christ, Bob (May 25, 2015). "Gladiators have tough road ahead of them". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM. Retrieved May 25, 2015.

External links

• Salina Bombers official website
• Salina Bombers at Our Sports Central