Atlanta Havoc’s Hectic Journey to Title Game

The Atlanta Havoc were founded by then Vermont Bucks owner Tim Viens, among other ownerships. They were founded in 2017 and were to play their games at a high school gymnasium in Buford, GA, contradictory to the name of the Atlanta Havoc.

Atlanta got off to a hot start, upending the former Arena Pro Football runner-up Florida Tarpons handily. Defense was all over quarterback Chris Wallace, pressuring and sacking him all game long. On offense, the wide receiver duo of Ryan McDaniel and Malachi Jones torched the Tarpons secondary. They would go on to win by a final score of 43-28.

Atlanta would start the season 9-0. With a Richmond Roughriders loss to the Georgia Doom on May 12, they were in first place in the AAL standings and were in the driver’s seat to host the title game on June 30.

However, things changed the final two weeks. Instead of playing the Peach State Cats as originally scheduled, the Havoc traveled to Charlotte, NC to take on the Carolina Energy on June 2. Carolina, another expansion franchise, was just as talented as Atlanta. They proved it, too, handing the Havoc their first loss of the season, 45-41. They would follow that loss with a loss to the Doom to end the regular season.

Atlanta clinched the two seed in the playoffs, but still wound up traveling to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Cape Fear Heroes in their first playoff game. Despite a valiant effort from the Heroes, the Havoc came out on top to advance to the title game.

Now they will face the team everyone thought they would fade in the title game – Richmond. The game will be played on Saturday night at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. ET. 

NAL Now episode XIII: Lions Stomp Cobras, Pirates hold off Steelhawks

how did the  Cobras stumble at home against the powerful Lions? Are the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks dead set on going 0-15? All the week 12 action and more as Jose break down the games from this past NAL weekend and previews the upcoming match ups on this week of the NAL Now.

(6/26/18)

Inside The Arena Social Links:

Stephen Ur     Jose Bahena

Click Here For More Episodes

Audio Provided By:

 Bensound Music

Richmond Roughriders Rough Ride to Title Game

The Richmond Roughriders joined the American Arena League in 2018 after winning the Arena Pro Football championship in 2017. They were one of three teams that originally won a championship prior to joining the AAL – the Vermont Bucks won the Can-AM Indoor Football League title and the Cape Fear Heroes won the Supreme Indoor Football League title. 

Vermont folded prior to the 2018 season, which left the Heroes and Roughriders the only two teams with titles from last season in the new arena league. No one knew what to expect from the other teams.

Richmond opened their season with a 31-17 win over the High County Grizzlies, who join the AAL after playing in the National Arena League  in 2017. Following a bye week, Richmond went on to defeat the Carolina Energy in their home opener on March 31, 52-38. 

Their third game came against the Heroes on April 7 at the Richmond Coliseum. Then Riders quarterback Arvell Nelson threw for five touchdowns and rushed for two more and the defense rushed both Ryan Bach and Daryll Clark all game long in their 76-32 win. 

While they had showed dominance through the first several games, they faced a true test in Trenton, NJ against the expansion Jersey Flight. Nelson threw two interceptions on consecutive passes, including a pick-six, and Richmond found themselves down 43-19 at halftime.

Behind a strong defensive effort, Richmond overcame the 24-point deficit to win 56-50. They would remain undefeated. 

They went on to win their next two games heading into their May 12 matchup against the expansion Georgia Doom. This is where Richmond finally met defeat, losing 56-44. The loss also gave Atlanta the 1 seed in the playoff picture, as they remained undefeated. 

That’s how it was the entire season for the most part. It wasn’t until Atlanta lost their final two games and Richmond won their final two that the Roughriders clinched the top seed in the playoffs and homefield advantage.

Now, they will host the team that many have called the best in the league in the Havoc. The two teams will face off against one another in the American Arena League title game on Saturday, June 30. 

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Staring 0-15 In the Face

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks were eliminated from playoff contention following their loss to the Massachusetts Pirates Saturday. Now that are no longer fighting for a playoff spot, they are fighting to avoid a winless season.

Even under several different quarterbacks and two head coaches, the Steelhawks have been dominated in every way possible. They lost their opening game to the Lions in Week 2 by allowing the defense to sack Caleb Walton more times than anyone can count.

Against the Massachusetts Pirates, they allowed several defensive touchdowns in a blowout loss. Their worst performance yet has come at the hands of the Carolina Cobras. They scored only three points in that game against Carolina on May 5. Three points is low for any type of football being played, indoor or outdoor.

Even against the defending champions in the Jacksonville Sharks, they only scored 17 points. They also scored only 24 points against the Maine Mammoths in the only game Maine has won all season. 

Their defense isn’t getting the job done, either. They have given up the most points per game in the league by far.

They still have to face three of the four playoff teams in the Cobras, Sharks and Pirates one more time, as well. If they don’t figure out how to stop their opponents moving forward, or figure out the offensive struggles, they will finish with a winless season. 

Lehigh Valley’s next game will be on June 30 when they host the Jacksonville Sharks. The final game they will probably have a shot at a win this season will come on July 21 when they travel to take on the Maine Mammoths one last time.