Wichita Aviators
The Wichita Aviators were a professional indoor football team that played in the American Professional Football League (APFL). The Aviators played their home games in Britt Brown Arena at the Kansas Coliseum during the team's first season (2005). In 2006, the Aviators played their home games at the Wichita Ice Center in Wichita, Kansas. The Wichita Aviators and Kansas Koyotes were both owned by APFL founder Ralph Adams. Carl Caldwell was the head coach of the Aviators, and Mike McCoy was the General Manager.
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 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, 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 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.
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