Storm Secure Victory Set Franchise Records

The Southwest Kansas Storm is coming off a six-game stretch that saw them host just two games in seven weeks. During the first two months of the season, they faced some of the toughest travel situations of any team in the AF1, yet they have come out of this stretch 4-2, matching their win total for all of 2024. This is the best record the Storm have ever had this early in the season through their four seasons of play. Edit: In 2022 they also began the season 4-2, and later moved to 5-2 defeating the Marshals in May of 2022. 

To some, this season has come as a surprise. To those who were watching closely in 2024, there were signs this was not the same Storm team that played in the Champions Indoor Football League for two seasons. Despite finishing 4-5 last season, the Storm were just 14 points away from an 8-1 season and a playoff victory, with one-score losses to Salina (2), Washington, Wichita, and West Texas. 

Not Over Yet

So far in 2025, the Storm are one blown coverage on a hail mary attempt away from 5-1 on the season. In their last home game, the coaching staff opted to insert veteran wideout Demaryius Washington in what was expected to be a jump ball situation. Washington's relative inexperience playing defensive back showed, and unfortunately a receiver got behind him and caught the Hail Mary pass in the endzone to win by 1 point. 

In Corpus Christi, luck was on the side of the Storm. Left with seconds on the clock, and a tied score, the Storm let Jalen Morton take a shot at the endzone. Washington, previously the victim of a similar situation went up and made a great play on a beautifully placed ball scoring a touchdown and seemingly winning the game as time expired. That's when the elation of the moment evaporated as holding was called. That's when an officiating mistake changed everything for the Storm. The officials, mistakenly allowed the Storm another offensive down to close out the game. 

This was even though on the previous play, the clock had struck double zeros. Due to the rules, this extra play never should have happened, and the game should have gone into overtime after the previous Hail Mary attempt opening the door for Corpus Christi to potentially get the ball first in overtime, and erase what just moments ago had been a potential victory for the Storm.

This is when Coach Gary Thomas dialed up a play that the Storm had yet to run all season...the Hook and Ladder. The initial pass was caught by D Wash once again, and on a perfectly designed play, Shiloh Flanagan came in behind D Wash, caught the pitch in stride, and turned on the jets as he streaked up the sideline and into the endzone thanks in part to a crucial block by fellow receiver Charles Hall.  

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With time having expired on the previous play, this slammed the door shut on any potential comeback for Corpus. The Storm now sit 4-2 on the season, with a total of nine games being decided by one score in two seasons. Say what you will about the new-look Storm, one thing no one can deny is the majority of their games are exciting down to the last second, and sometimes even beyond. 

Their only losses that have come by more than one score have come in Albany against the Firebirds who lost to Billings in the "Brawl at the Mall", Arenabowl 33 in 2024. Albany has since blown Billings out twice this season both in Albany and Billings, proving they are currently, without dispute the top team in the AF1.  

Re-Writing the Franchise Record Books

Not only has the Storm begun the season matching the best start in franchise history with a 4-2 record, but this also moves Coach Thomas's record to 8-7 in the regular season. This is significant because he now stands atop the leaderboard for most wins by a Head Coach in franchise history. The Storm won 8 games their first two seasons but had changed Head Coaches midway through their first season. 

The Storm Front defense is also on pace to smash the team record for most turnovers in a season. They added three more turnovers against Corpus Christi on Saturday. This included Tizell Lewis getting his first interception as a member of the Storm. Jackson Flowers another of the newest additions to the team forced and recovered a fumble. Michael Lawson got in on the action forcing his sixth turnover in just six games. 

Stand Out Players in Week Six 

Nick Evans was a game wrecker for the Storm logging 3 tackles for a loss including 2 sacks, and 1 pass deflection, he also was inches from blocking a field goal. Evans now has 4 sacks on the season in just 5 games since joining the Storm. This was a big game for the defensive line in general as four players combined for 4 sacks, and 7 tackles for a loss. 

Shiloh Flanagan corralled 9 passes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns including the game winner. Coming into this game he had 18 receptions for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns according to the theAF1.com. This amounted to a season-high in receptions, and yards, and tied his high in touchdowns. 

Jalen Morton had his third game with 5 or more total touchdowns. He still stands atop the leaderboards for the league in passing yards, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He is second in passing touchdowns and has two receivers in the top five in receiving yards. 

Tough Stretch Coming Up

Coming off of back-to-back divisional wins, the Storm are entering their toughest stretch of the season over the four games, but it coincides with playing three games at home. They have Nashville, and Billings at home, a bye in week 9, they then travel to Billings and finish the four-game gauntlet with a home game against Washington. 

None of these games are easy match-ups as both Nashville and Washington have brought in new quarterbacks since facing the Storm earlier this season. Both offenses have looked a lot better with their new signal callers, and both will test this defense in ways the previous quarterbacks did not. If the Storm can come out of this stretch with a 2-2 or 3-1 record they could be in the driver's seat for a playoff spot coming out of the central division. 

Corpus Christi stands 3-1, and will not play the Storm again this season, they also play Albany twice in the next four games, with three straight road games in this stretch. Salina has to face Billings at their house, and then follow it up by traveling all the way to Albany before a two-game home stand against Billings and Washington. Salina would have to win out to even have a chance of being in the playoff picture after 8 games.