Entering the 2013 season I pegged Iowa as the darkhorse in National Conference, let alone the central division. This season was a year of streaks for the Barnstormers--They had three different two-game winning streaks, but followed each losing skids of four, three, and five games respectively.
Throughout the year this Barnstormer team was fortunate in avoiding any significant injuries and made the key pickups of Marcus Harris and Jesse Schmidt, who each made a direct impact in the offense. The 2013 season started off with two double-digit wins for the 'Stormers, but a 66-43 loss vs. Spokane in week three ended the strong start. Iowa went on to lose in weeks four, five, and six by a total of 18 points to fall to 2-4. Iowa was able to bounce back with consecutive wins over San Antonio and New Orleans, but once again was unable to make it three in a row when they lost in week nine at Utah. The Barnstormers lost their next two and headed into week twelve with a 4-7 mark.
Iowa had a tough first half, suffering last-minute losses to Jacksonville (40-34 in week 5), Chicago in overtime (64-63 in week 6), and Tampa Bay (65-62 in week 11). The Barnstormers could have easily been at the top of the central, but despite the frustration they still kept fighting. The 'Stormers put together a third two-game win streak in weeks twelve and thirteen, but for the third time failed to make it three straight. Iowa's playoff hopes hung in the balance in week 15 when they welcomed in San Antonio. The theme of the season continued when Iowa blew an early 21-7 lead, setting up the disappointing finish that saw Tim McGill break the hearts of the home crowd with a blocked kick in the final minute to preserve a 35-34 San Antonio win. This was the final straw, as Iowa lost all three of its July games to end the year on a five-game skid and finish at the bottom of the National Conference with a 6-12 record.
This year was obviously a frustrating season for Iowa because at times they showed flashes of being a great team, but were unable to find ways to win close games late. The complete bright spots for Iowa was the emergence of Marco Thomas and Marcus Harris as solid starting receivers, the success of Mike Lewis, and the young secondary. Another great mark on the year was the return of Jesse Schmidt.
The Good from 2013:
- Three two-game win streaks: featuring a 2-0 start to the season.
- a 73-68 win over San Jose in week thirteen.
- Road record of 4-5.
PLAYER STATS
- J.J. Raterink 346-576, 4015 yds, 78 TD, 18 Int; 8 rush TD (18 games)
- Marco Thomas 142 rec, 1564 yds, 30 TD; 124 rush yds, 5 TD (16 games)
- Darius Reynolds 48 rec, 647 yds, 15 TD (12 games)
- Jesse Schmidt 74 rec, 827 yds, 22 TD (13 games)
- Marcus Harris 94 rec, 1223 yds, 19 TD (15 games)
- De'Mon Glanton 95 tackles, 6 Int, FF, Def TD (17 games)
- Ter'Ran Benton 71.5 tackles, 5 Int, FF, 3 FR Def TD (17 games)
- Jason Simpson 83 tackles, 4 Int, FF, FR, Def TD (18 games)
- Erick McIntosh 51.5 tackles, 4 Int, 3 FR, Def TD (13 games)
- John Mohring 63.5 tackles, 2 Int, 2 FF, FR, 3 Def TD (13 games)
- Mike Lewis 31 tackles (17 TFL), 12.5 sacks, 6 FF (18 games)
- Matangi Tonga 25 tackles (5 TFL), 3.5 sacks, FF, 3 FR, 2 blocked kicks (15 games)
TEAM STATS
- 7th in scoring defense (50.7 ppg)
- 6th pass defense (252.5 ypg)
- 7th total defense (277.8 ypg)
- 7th in turnover margin (+1)
The Bad from 2013:
- Failing to win three games in a row at any point.
- Losing streaks of four, three, and five games.
- A home record of 2-7
- Four losses by a total of eleven points.
- Losing to Arizona 70-26 ( week 10) and 84-45 (week 19).
PLAYER STATS
* Stats are based on individual performance; I feel all the notable stats represented good seasons.*
TEAM STATS
- 12th in scoring offense (45.9 ppg)
- Last in rush offense (9.3 ypg)
- 3rd-worst in rush defense (25.3 ypg)
- 9th in pass offense (248.0 ypg)
- Last in total offense (257.3 ypg)
- 9th pass efficiency (98.9)
- Allowed opposing pass efficiency of (107.3)
- League-low 307 first downs
- 2nd-worst opponent 3rd down conversions of 50.4%
- 11th red zone offense (51/69)
- Worst 4th-down conversion rate (14/47)
The Reason for a Losing Season:
When you look back at Iowa's 2013 season it will be easy to sum it up as "four losses by a total of eleven points." At a closer look the Barnstormers struggles stemmed from more than just not being lucky this year; proving that stats don't tell the whole story. Iowa's offense was inconsistent all year, failing to score 46 points a game and being unable to run the ball all season. Another part of the offensive woes was making a League-low 307 first downs, only converting 29.8% of fourth-down attempts, and not even averaging 260 yards per game. The defense individually looked great, but had their struggles as a unit. The Barnstormers ranked at the bottom of the AFL in allowing opponents to run for 25.3 yards per game and convert 50.4% of third-down attempts. This team I believe is better than 6-12, but four close losses will define a season and that was the case in 2013 for Iowa.
2013 Finish: 6-12 (2-2 in Central), last in the National Conference
For more on the Iowa Barnstormers:
http://www.arenafootball.com/
http://www.arenafootball.com/teams/aflbrn/
http://www.theiowabarnstormers.com/
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-arena-football-season-kickoff.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-afl-season-frist-quarter-anaylsis.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-afl-midway-report-central.html
http://nicksblogofsports.blogspot.com/2013/07/afl-turning-into-home-stretch-central.html
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/stats/2013/CONFSTAT.HTM
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